Ideas he won't let me get on!

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JessPickle

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When I got Pickle he had a habit of not letting me get on, he'd spin round loads back up etc but once you were on was absulutely happy as anything. I spent time with him just getting on and off and he stopped doing it.

However 4.5 years on this habit has returned in a slightly worse way, he now spins faster, backs up faster and makes it completely impossible to get on! He is so big (17.1hh) its hard enough! I always use a mounting block but now have to have someone holding him and have him trapped in a corner! He is sound and has been for months, and he has only just started doing this! when he was being worked but only in walk he did not have this reaction!

Any ideas? All relevant checks have been done, and due to recent lameness vets had to see him for full work up and gave go ahead.
 
would a gentle lunge first help to settle him ? Then start all over again with making him stand still at the block, one leg in the stirrup, blah, blah (you know the routine, lol). Will be interesting to see the suggestions that follow.. oooo could it be dietary ? sm x
 
Are you sure that the saddle fits just as it should. Sisters horse was a bit awkward and it turned out she had a bad back and the saddle didn't fit just right (about a month after she had had everything checked!). It may be worth having everything looked at again.
 
shysmum said:
would a gentle lunge first help to settle him ? Then start all over again with making him stand still at the block, one leg in the stirrup, blah, blah (you know the routine, lol). Will be interesting to see the suggestions that follow.. oooo could it be dietary ? sm x
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Makes no difference what is done first, have tried! today I walked him round in hand for a while first to see if it helped things it didnt. I would try the whole one foot in stirrup thing but as soon as I am on the block with leg even going torwards stirrup he is off!

Today I just stroked and brushed him a bit in school after doing stirrups to correct length, girth etc. took my time, got on block. Went to get on and it was all back to square one!
 
yorksG said:
Are you sure that the saddle fits just as it should. Sisters horse was a bit awkward and it turned out she had a bad back and the saddle didn't fit just right (about a month after she had had everything checked!). It may be worth having everything looked at again.
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Saddle fitting is booked for monday :)
 
my friends horse did this i had to correct it ,but firstly i make sure its not the saddle etc , if not walk him up to the mounting block make him stand and reward every time he stands , keep doing this till hes stand still
next thing would be is to get someone to hold and have treats on hand to reward , when you put foot or making out your putting your foot into the stirrup and he stands still then give him a reward if that make sence . just keep doing it till he alows you to mount by your self happily
always have someone on hand so he cant move away from you
 
yorksG said:
Are you sure that the saddle fits just as it should. Sisters horse was a bit awkward and it turned out she had a bad back and the saddle didn't fit just right (about a month after she had had everything checked!). It may be worth having everything looked at again.
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Quote "Saddle fitting is booked for monday" quote


It certainly sounds as though he is objecting to something, if he has only started it since you tried to do more than walk. Good luck on Monday! Keep us updated.
 
Hmm, I don't know how severe your horse does this but mine can pull this trick when the mod takes him. We use a gate to get on and 95% of the time he knows exactly what to do and stands good as gold for you. Other times it's like he just says "no thanks" and arses about, will not turn the right way, will back up and generally be a prat. I just persevere to be honest, i sit patiently and wait for him to decide he's going to behave.

He will also pull this stunt at a show sometimes - i get on from the horsebox ramp. Most times he stands, sometimes he doesn't. If I get off to walk a course he'll then decide he doesn't want me back on. It depend on his mood. He's good as gold when i am on and he has his back checked regularly - there is nothing wrong with that or indeed his saddle. He's just a bit of a character basically.

The only tip I would have is to be patient and just wait. Rewarding him for god behaviour is a good idea but I'd be careful rewarding with food too much as this could backfire with a clever horse and they may then misbehave n order to get the treat when they finally behave - if you catch my drift.

Just remain calm but be firm. Teach him the word "Stand" in any given situation - ie when you're on the ground and reward him when he does it.
 
ladyt25 said:
He will also pull this stunt at a show sometimes - i get on from the horsebox ramp. Most times he stands, sometimes he doesn't. If I get off to walk a course he'll then decide he doesn't want me back on. It depend on his mood. He's good as gold when i am on and he has his back checked regularly - there is nothing wrong with that or indeed his saddle. He's just a bit of a character basically.


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sounds pretty simular to Pickle, for example if I get on at start of session he is sometimes fine, however if I get off halfway and do something he is hell to get back on.
 
I might be (probably am - probably another forum horse entirely!) completely wrong but is he on working livery? Could it be that some clients are landing rather heavily/awkwardly and have set him back? Or has he not been used by anyone other than you?
 
Mavis Cluttergusset said:
I might be (probably am - probably another forum horse entirely!) completely wrong but is he on working livery? Could it be that some clients are landing rather heavily/awkwardly and have set him back? Or has he not been used by anyone other than you?
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He was indeed on working livery, however due to lameness issues he has had in last 6 months he is no longer on working livery, so just me riding.
 
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