Mounting your horse

Mounting your horse

If you horse moves away when you go to get on, do not get on until he is standing still.

Hopping on your horse while he is moving away reinforces the behaviour in a positive way, so he thinks that is what you want. It is unfair of us to punish him for this, as he is actually doing exactly what we taught him, by never pulling him up for it.

It can take some time at the start, but once your horse recognises what you want he will put more effort into getting it right.

To begin the new pattern of correctly being mounted:
Step 1: Stand on a mounting block, or similar object.
Step 2: Ask your horse to stand next to it, as soon as he does rub him and let him know he is good!
Step 3: Go to hop on
Step 4: If he moves away, ask him back to the correct spot INSTANTLY, any way you can, even if you have to temporarily get off the mounting block.
Step 5: Then rub him again to reward him for being in the correct spot.
Step 6: continue this process until you can mount with him standing still

Eventually he will pick rubs over moving away. It is very important he is not 'punished', rather you can make him uncomfortable for making the wrong decision of moving away.

Success Tips:
-Make sure your body language is clear- when you want him to move for not standing you should have life and energy in your body. As SOON as he stands in the right spot you should take the life OUT of your body and relax, this will help him relax too.
-You may have to ask him up to the mounting block in small increments, such as one step, rub, one more step, rub and then when he is in the perfect position give him a BIG rub
-Expect this behaviour EVERY time you mount- be consistent.
-If he walks off as soon as you get in the saddle, stop him, hop off and repeat the process.

Mounting from the fence.

This sort of thing is what I teach at lessons and during clinics! Watch this space for more handy tips!!!