Advice... How to teach Ponio to stand nicely @ mounting block

[minkymoo]

Does anyone have any advice for me so that I can teach Ponio to stand nicely at the mounting block? She's very green and once on will stand beautifully, however standing by the mounting block is a bit different. She circles round it and then shifts her bum far enough away so you can't get on!

I don't want to make it a big issue with her about it but if anyone has any tips that I can try I would be grateful. I am aware that I need to give her time & be patient but would like to get it right!!

Thanks guys!

 

[jumpthemoon]

Only advice I can think of is get someone to help you, don't make a big deal out of it or get mad with her and be consistent. Maybe if you could position her between the mounting block and a fence, so she can't swing away it would help?

I'm sure if you persevere it will pay off

good luck!

 

[horsegirl]

I had this issue with my boy and after getting back/saddle checked to make sure he was not trying to tell us something we did this. You need 2 people and you don't have to break it down into as many steps, it took a coupld of weeks but now he stands perfectly.

Walk horse to mounting block and stand on block, if horse moves then just go round again and keep going until he doesn't move when you stand on the block - get your lovely assistant to give him a small piece of carrot.

Then put foot in stirrup if horse moves then just go round again and keep going until he doesn't move when you do it - give piece of carrot.

Put some weight in the stirrup if horse moves then just go round again and keep going until he doesn't move when you do it - give piece of carrot.

Lean over horse's back (take foot out of stirrup first in case he walks off) and again keep doing it until he stands and then give him the carrot/mint.

Finally get your assistant to get his attention with the carrot/mint and mount but only give him the treat once you are on if he has stood still. As he gets the idea you can start at the foot in stirrup stage (for example) and eventually you should be able to get straight on.