Mounting block fear - please help

[Niddlynoo]

Hi, I tried to ride my new horse today, he arrived in the week, so I was just going to plod for 10 mins. When I tried him I was told he would take a week or two to get used to me getting from a mounting block. Well I tried today, he just swings his bum out whenver he is vaguely in the right place. I tried from the ground (he is quite large 16.2) and the saddle slipped just as I got my leg over the back. I remember him panicking and bucking - the next I knew I was on the road with the air ambulance landing and paramedics holding my head and blood everywhere. Anyway, 12 sutures later, 5 hrs in A&E, a very sore neck and back I'm home. What do I do????

 

[be positive]

Is this a young horse? how did you get on when you tried him, did he show nervousness of mounting then or is he just green in new surroundings?
I would get him used to standing by the block with someone helping to keep him straight, if he was good when you tried him he should be ok given time to get used to his new home.

 

[maxapple]

Did he do this when you tried him out? It could be a pain / back problem that is the issue rather than the mounting block. (I say that because a girl at my old yard bought a horse with mounting issues who turned out to have a serious back problem - the mounting block worried him as he associated it with pain. He did the same thing to her 1st time she rode when he arrived, and she too ended up in A&E)

 

[cellie]

Very sad to hear about your accident but any horse would freak out if its saddle slipped under belly whilst you mounted.You cant blame horse its down to us to make sure we make everything as safe as possible especially with new horse.Book instructor who you trust to help you get to know him better.
I hope you recover well .

 

[Niddlynoo]

Thanks for your replies - he was dubious about me getting on. The lady selling him said he was like that wil them to start with. The problem is that even with people to help we couldn;t get him near. I will try getting him used to just standing there first (when I can move again!) and use plenty of rewards to encourage him!