Horse does not stand still when mounting!!

[EV100]

I know this is asked allllll the time but I am at my wits end really!! My horse will walk nicely to the mounting block and stand very still as I step onto the first step, as soon as I step up onto the second step (of three) he'll usually take one step back - nothing too offensive, then when I get to the top he will swing away from me just out of reach and maybe take a few more steps backwards, without my foot having even reached for the stirrup.

Today I thought I'd devote my time to really getting to grips with this and tried for over an hour, bringing him up to the block and rewarding him for standing, moving up a step and if he moved circle and try again etc. but he still wouldnt stand. In this time I was receiving all kinds of unhelpful advice from people and got so frustrated with everyone around me that I gave up - which I know was the wrong thing to do!

I was wondering if anyone had any bright ideas about how to solve this? Baring in mind I dont like using treats with him as he gets nippy and distracted. I was thinking maybe trying a different mounting block as he clearly knows this one inside out and anticipates what each step means? Only problem being he is 17hh and so I need to mount off something pretty high!

 

[fuzzymooch]

Hi op answered this question before . Can only tell you what worked for me for what its worth. Mr C had issues relating to previous owner using badly fitting saddle. So first off I fixed the saddle, made sure he was comfy and then worked on the block

Mr C is a sucker for a good neck scratch so I took him to the block, stood him there and scratched. Next time I did this plus saddle. Then kept scratching as I slid on. Scratches became his reward for standing stil . Now I don't need to scratch, though I do every now and then as a reminder .

Might not work for you but there it is, good luck op.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I've seen a Kelly Marks demo about this. She uses the neck scratches but for the bum swinging she uses placing poles to encourage straightness. Where that didn't work, they had the mounting block near a fence so there was no room to swing away. They didn't mount next to a fence, it just meant they could reward for not swinging away. The exercise and reward was repeated moving further away from the fence.

The important thing was that they spent an hour with each horse in the school doing nothing but working on approach to the mounting block. Lots of neck scratches lots of groundwork controlling the feet.

 

[Equi]

As said above, turn the mounting block towards a fence and reward for not swinging. Move the block out bit by bit so eventually there is enough room to swing but hopefully the horse won't cause they know they can't now

 

[MDB]

I had this issue with my PRE. She always ran off and even bucked me off. But then she had previously had wounds down to the bone on her withers when I bought her after being ridden in a bad saddle. Once we got a nice fitting saddle and check with vet for back issues she still had the memory of mounting = pain, so we had work to do.
Fortunately she is a fast learner and she learnt within half an hour. Today I don't even need to hold onto her reins. She stands perfectly still and once on she waits until my feet are in her stirrups and she gets a little treat. Now I don't know if what i do would be considered correct or good training, but it works for her and she is as good as gold.
I started by leading her to the mounting block, giving her a treat. Walking away, circling, back to the block, treat, repeat. Around 20 times.
Next, lead to block, step on block to first step, reward with treat, step off, circle, lead to block, step on, treat, step off, repeat.
Next, lead to block step on block to first step, step off (so she has to wait a bit longer for treat), treat, circle, repeat.
Next, as above but up to second step. Reward after stepping back down off block.
Next, lead to block, step up to second step, put hands on saddle and shake it about a bit on her back. Step off block, treat, circle, lead to block, repeat.
Next, lead to block, step up, shake saddle with hands, put foot in stirrup, step off block, treat, circle, lead to block, repeat.
Finally, lead to block, step up, shake saddle, step down, treat, step back up, foot in stirrup, mount, treat given from saddle, dismount, treat. Repeat.
That may be faffy or considered totally awful training, but it worked beautifully. She now has lovely manners. And she always gets a treat when I get on for being good. Took about half an hour to do all that. Sometimes if I hadnt ridden for a while she became a bit fidgety and I just had to got back a couple of stages and practice 5 mins. Nut not now.

 

[LittleWelshPony]

My friends horse was a pain the mount so we literally spent 3 weeks of the 6 week holiday teaching it to stand at a block!

She would walk up to it and put the horse where she wanted him and with the block at one side and rather close to a wall at the next ( so he can't move anywhere) she would get on and off again loads of times. Then we changed the wall to a person , got on and off loads of times. Then tried him by himself and he was a different horse to mount!

 

[Sukistokes2]

If you are pretty sure there is no pain associated with mounting, the saddle is not moving or pinching, I would say you are half way there. First tell all the unhelpful people to bug off, you getting frustrated will not help. You pony is tough, which makes me think pain at some point, if not now. If you are focused on getting on and going for a ride you will sometimes miss little signals which you should have dealt with first, before getting on and riding. Any movement should not be allowed. With my horse, who did the same thing and who is now showing signs of a back issue, which I clearly hope will not be your problem !!! It took me twenty minutes to sort the issue, with little top ups now and again. It's nice to have help, as long as they don't block the horse moving, as mounting is a thing you should be able to do on your own. You say he moves when you get to the third step, do you continue to mount and give up there?

With Kev, when he moved I walked him away and then repositioned back to the mounting block, everytime he moved his feet. His reward was a pat and being allowed to stay put and not walk a circle. I didn't get frustrated or angry , I just kept walking him in a circle when he moved and praising for holding still. I added each step of the block, I went up and down , I put my foot in the stirrup, once up I sat there for a good long while, rather then walked off. Kev got it straight away, I guess it hurt when I got up, or his last owners jumped up and pushed him off quickly. I was late for my lesson but it was time well spent.

 

[milliepops]

With Kev, when he moved I walked him away and then repositioned back to the mounting block, everytime he moved his feet. His reward was a pat and being allowed to stay put and not walk a circle. I didn't get frustrated or angry , I just kept walking him in a circle when he moved and praising for holding still. I added each step of the block, I went up and down , I put my foot in the stirrup, once up I sat there for a good long while, rather then walked off. .

^^ this.
You need to devote time and patience to this for a while, and then when he's got it, never ever let him step away ever again without being corrected.
With the swinging away, this often happens when the rider has too much hold on the inside rein and nothing in the outside. When you position the horse at the block, take a steady feel on the outside rein so he is less inclined to turn his head towards you and bum away.

I've trained multiple horses to stand at the block, it's not difficult, just a bit boring. Worth spending the time though.