problems with mounting..(very long!)

mavandkaz

mavandkaz

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have owned my boy for 3 months now and at an all time low. the very first time a tried to ride him he bucked me off - and he meant to get mt off, can usually sit to bucks. put it down to new surroundings, lots going on and him only being 4. over the next week went slowly and started again from scratch - kept low over his back, spent time grooming him from the mounting block. he seemed confused with having someone higher then him. everything went well for another 4 weeks. he then started fidgeting at the mounting block and after a few days he exploded as i got on and i hit the deck - hurt my back and was out of action for 2 weeks. had his saddle checked and it was found to be putting pressure too far back. got a new saddle. when i was better a friend helped me get back on, spent 2 weeks pretty much rebraking him as he was very tense with wearing a saddle. he seemed to be going fine but has now started fidgeting at the mounting block again. if someone is holding him he is fine but if its just me he constantly steps away from the mounting block. have hit a brick wall with this and my confidence is at an all time low. there isn't always someone around to hold him and have on several occasions just given up because i get so stressed and depressed.
any ideas on what i can do? spent this weekend just getting on and off but he still won't stand still unless someone holds him. he is fine once i'm on.
am considering sending him away to someone who has the time to sort this outas it is really getting me down. anyone had to get through something similar?
 
I could give you all sorts of advice but honestly I think you need someone with experience with things like this to help you. He's not "innocent" anymore and retraining after trauma is far more difficult than doing it in the first place. Sending him away is an option but preferably if you can go and work with him - and the trainer - there. Another option would be to have someone come in, work with him, and then work with you together.

Is he your first young horse? Have you broken any before, either as a helper or on your own? It sounds like you got off to a rocky start and you need to do some backtracking. Help from someone experienced with such things will go along way to getting you over this and also for setting you up for a successful future. It's impossible to say what's really going on over the internet and the "why" is an important part of figuring out what to do now. Fear and confusion needs to be dealt with differently than a horse being bolshy.

There are at least two issues - the mounting and trust, which is related to both your confidence and his. Did you see him ridden? Can you talk to the person who broke him? It's possible he was never confirmed in standing quietly (a surprisingly large number of horses that are apparently "broke" are not) and perhaps you were not experienced enough to see the signs.

The thing that worries me most is you being alone to deal with it. It's not safe. I know that's easy to say but honestly, you need to find a solution. Is there not anyone experienced you can at least ask to come have a look?
 
Is there anyone at your yard that would spend time helping to train him for you? Seems a relatively minor thing to send him away for schooling for. Wish I was nearer you as I'd love to help. I assume you have had a vet check his back etc? If not I suggest you do this before progressing any further.
 
Few thoughts. Do you lunge first? It might help to warm him up and decrease the anticipation of mounting following tacking up. Is the block mobile? Getting on somewhere else may help as he may have assosiated 'issues' with the mounting area. You could try putting him between a fence and mounting block. If you do this be careful you don't make him feel trapped as it will frighten him and make him worse.
Have you had back treated for saddle problem as muscle spasm can linger after cause is removed.
 
this is the thing - it is small DIY yard so not many people and i don't like taking up their time. have had lots of help from one person who is very experienced but she is short of time now. its just really annoying as its such a small thing - when i say he fidgets all he does is slowly step backwards as i go to put my foot in the stirrup.
i'm just in two minds as to why he is doing it - is he scared and relating it to his old saddle hurting him, or is he just trying it on? as i said he is fine once i am on and works really well.
 
Hi,
I would definitely say get his back checked as he may well have an underlying problem.
It's possible that whoever broke him in only ever got a leg up to try and reduce the strain on his back... so now when he does get someone getting on from a block he's just not used to it. Maybe try getting someone to give you a leg up (a good one!!) and see if he's better.
Have you tried getting on the wrong side? horse's dont associate things on either side the same as people and it might make a surprising difference.
It might sound like an obvious one but make sure you land really gently in the saddle. some horses much prefer to be walked on straight away as well.
There are a whole load of approaches to this - im sure someone will have suggested pointing him into a corner but i would strongly not recommend that on a young horse as you could completely freak him out.
good luck!
 
Can you book an instructor to come and work with you for a couple of sessions? Moving away when I went to mount was something Harri did when he had a sore back. Now his back is fine he stands totally still for me. Because of this I would definately recommend you ask a vet to come out and check his back. If his back is no longer sore, then it could well be psychological, remembering the pain. I think patience is the key to fixing that problem. Building up slowly, walking him up to the mounting block, asking him to stand with you still at his head, and when he does, then give him a pat and walk him on - then moving slowly on to you actually stepping up on the mounting block, and when he stands still and shows some form of relaxation (sighing, lowering his head) then pat him and just walk him on again. Through baby steps you can get through this and most importantly have him calm and relaxed. Good luck, let us know how you get on
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I have PM'd you - I'm pretty sure we have met through your OH. I have been through all this - and more - with my young gelding. Can offer a hand and show you how we got round the problem if you want.... Sometimes a new pair of eyes and experience can really help...
 
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