Horse not standing at mounting block

Question
I know you must get this question a lot, but the thing is my horse doesn't
have trouble standing still at the mounting block, only when I step up onto it.
She then swings her hindquarters out so then I have to get down and
reposition her. I've tried circling her around and around to make it more work
for her and praising when she does stand still. I've tried loose reins, right rein
shortened, both reins shortened, to no avail. She will stand if I put a pole on
the ground on the off-side, but I'd like to be able to get away with not using
it. She's not so bad in the indoor arena, usually just outside. She's not in any
pain, saddle fits fine, otherwise a happy, lovely horse.
I look forward to your advice.

Answer
Hi TCM,

It sounds like you are on the right track wi th your mare. You are doing exactly what I am going to suggest, I just want you to take it a step further. You want to make doing the right thing (standing while you mount) easy and doing the wrong thing (moving) hard. You mentioned you make her move when she swings her hindend away, What I want you to do is start from the ground only, with a lunge line. Confirm that when you say whoa, she'll stop immediately. Once you have reinforced that, start by just walking her up to the mounting block, with no intention of getting on and stopping her next to it. Praising her when she stands. Next, while leading her trot her to it and stop, pay attention to how many steps it takes her to come to a full stop (we'll use this later). Once she'll do that in hand, attach either a longer line (atleast 12 feet) or a lungeline and send her in a circle, by you'll have established how far in advance you need to cue her to stop (3 strides, 1/4 cirlce, etc.) with her walking on the long line, ask her to stop by the mounting block. When she will do that sucessfully, proceed to the trot and canter. Now at the trot and canter, I want her to be moving with good forward motion and a bit tired before you ask her, I want her seeking that stop, before you ask for it. If she shows any tendency to move, drive her forward, but with good speed. This is the same action you have been taking, but I want you to send her at a fast speed (ie: extended trot, not a jog), atleast 10-15 times around, until you can see her wanting to stop. Then let her stop, and just walk to the top of the mounting block, do not attempt to get on. Once you have her so she'll stop and stand, the first few times you mount her, don't ask for anything, just get on one side and if you can, get off the other...losen her cinch and put her away. You are on the right track, I just think you need to be a bit more agressive about it. Hang in there, it will happen.

Jen