Mounting problems

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blood_magik

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Evening all :)

I'm trying to figure out how best to go about resolving my new boy's fear of being mounted. I've not had to do this before so any advice is appreciated.

Basically, he panics and tries to run off. He's had me off once as I didn't get a chance to get both feet in the stirrups before my helper accidently let go of him. :rolleyes:

Would you start by asking him to stand next to it and treating him when he stands still?
I was thinking that that would be the first step.
The next one would be to tack him up and ask him to stand next to it while I put some weight into the stirrup and so on until the rider is sat in the saddle

Does that sound about right?

Yummy mini lemon cheesecakes on offer :)

ETA: I won't be getting on him in an open space until we've got him standing still to be mounted and definately not without a helper. It's a long way down :p
 
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I know he has just been vetted but the first thing I would do is to get a physio out to make sure there is not a physical reason for this behaviour.

Then gently start to introduce mounting, make sure you have a good helper that will not let go and keeps him still until you are ready, it takes time but needs addressing from day one otherwise it can get to be a hard habit to break.
 
What type is he? An ex racer?
With my boy who was and wouldn't stand just swung bum out and if u did get on he shot off if tried hold him he reared.
I taught him to stand by block me being on off side. Then moved to standing in front then on near side. But always lead up with me on off side. As soon as he stood for few mins i walked around in circle and repeated. Then managed to stand on block pulling on near side stirrup then off side. Never taking a tight contact tho. I hold breast plate to get on not mane as that panics him. It took ages and a helper, i found tapping his chest and saying stand helps before i step round to the block. Also a moveable block as i moved that with him. I also got on with him facing a corner so he had no where to go when i started without helper. I did make sure i got on in different places and off different things. I also got on and off without moving from block numerous times before moving away and i practiced at end of lessons as well so he was tired!
He has had 6 weeks off as iv been ill it took 20mins to get on the first time again as he reveRted back.to how he was before so i practiced again after riding and have done everyday he comes in. Not just for riding but only to get on and off.
 
oh yes, I forgot about the borrowed saddle. thanks for that.
He's being fitted next week so that and the physio should sort any physical issues that are there.
 
Meant to say it could be a memory from pain- we think that's one of my lads issues he had a bad back when first got him before i rode him but we think from when racing he prob sore and remembeRed this.
 
dizzydancer said:
What type is he? An ex racer?
With my boy who was and wouldn't stand just swung bum out and if u did get on he shot off if tried hold him he reared.
I taught him to stand by block me being on off side. Then moved to standing in front then on near side. But always lead up with me on off side. As soon as he stood for few mins i walked around in circle and repeated. Then managed to stand on block pulling on near side stirrup then off side. Never taking a tight contact tho. I hold breast plate to get on not mane as that panics him. It took ages and a helper, i found tapping his chest and saying stand helps before i step round to the block. Also a moveable block as i moved that with him. I also got on with him facing a corner so he had no where to go when i started without helper. I did make sure i got on in different places and off different things. I also got on and off without moving from block numerous times before moving away and i practiced at end of lessons as well so he was tired!
He has had 6 weeks off as iv been ill it took 20mins to get on the first time again as he reveRted back.to how he was before so i practiced again after riding and have done everyday he comes in. Not just for riding but only to get on and off.
Click to expand...

He's a 6yo we bought in Ireland. I'm thinking that his previous riders have been legged up and have maybe thumped down on his back.
I think we need to go back to basics
 
My horse was difficult to mount when I first got him because he was used to people getting on him then walking off straight away without asking him to stand so that he could have his girth tightened etc. A saddle that was a bit uncomfortable wasn't helping either, I got that replaced immediately and things started to improve. He was only five at the time so like yours, it was important to get it sorted quickly!

It sounds like he is nervous or hasn't been mounted properly in the past, rather than him being naughty. I agree with you about going back to basics and think that this will be all he needs. Another piece of advice that I found really useful was to avoid turning him around if he fidgets at the mounting block and goes past it, or swings his bum out. Instead make him go backwards to the block; this keeps their focus better. Going back to basics worked for my horse and in time it just 'clicked' and he is almost perfect to mount now, even after a few days off he is still fine.

Good luck!
 
Think I'd do it slowly like you said op. As no one else has taken up the offer I'll have the cakes just to be polite.
 
im not an expert but with my horse who was difficult to mount i waited till it was a nice day, and i was feeling patient, hehe. I then really quietly and calmly would stand her by the mounting block until she was calm, if she moved walk her round in a circle and maybe back up a few steps and then back to the spot if wanted her in, giving loads of praise and quite pats when she stood. Then it is just a case of repeating the process, foot in the stirrup, if doesnt stand repeat the same thing, leaning over, same thing. Then when you actually get on, if you get off the other side a few times instead of riding away, and then finally stay on but just stand still. I found it far better without someone holding her as feeling restricted made her worse, it did take quite a while but it really helped and now she stands good as gold the majority of the time. Hope this helps :)
 
My old boy (who was PTS after 22 years together) came from Ireland. I bought him from a dealer who said she had him for 3 months as he rodeoed if you got on without a leg up and to be very careful for a while. Oh how naive to think he would be fine! I was so careful having competent people hold him and got on so gently. And it was all going fine. Then he had 3 weeks off with a splint - and when I put the saddle on he was air born. I could give you essays on the trials and tribulations but he was brilliant eventually and I regret nothing. The ones who make you work for it are worth more to you in the end.

I was on the horse market last year and my little legs shake every time I get on a strange horse until I have both feet in the stirrups as I expect them to try to dump me as I am mounting!

My horses name was Potty - a one and only - his 'proper' name was Matchpoint but his nickname stuck for obvious reasons.

You need time, patience and the right help - if you can't rely on the holder its not a good start.
 
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