Snatching reins mounting

[Eventing2022]

Hi
6yo gelding, has had every medical check going, back and neck xrays, stifles, hocks, saddle fitted last week, teeth fine, scoped clear for ulcers. Had him 6 months.
When standing at the mounting block he will stand like a rock but snatches the reins violently down and forward. Even if you hold the buckle which is clearly not ideal he will snatch at no contact.
Doesn't do it in any other situation. Happy in his work.
I've tried giving him treats if he just stands for a second without doing it, had someone at his head, just tried to wait it out, represented to the block when he does it....no joy.
If he is distracted like by something in the distance or whatever he doesn't do it which makes me think it's a weird habit.
If he did it when I was on him I'd just bridge the reins and let him pull against himself but of course you can't do that from the block.
The second I'm on he stops.
At the moment I'm on way out there ideas like using one of the handsfree likit headcollars over his bridle to see if that's high value enough distraction which I would then remove once I'm on!
Any ideas please?!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Its not ideal and some people dont like to encourage with treats but I would get a substantial bit of carrot or small apple that will keep his chops going until your on board! Few times he will have forgotten the habit

 

[Eventing2022]

Its not ideal and some people dont like to encourage with treats but I would get a substantial bit of carrot or small apple that will keep his chops going until your on board! Few times he will have forgotten the habit

Great idea to try something substantial like that!! Thanks I will try.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Great idea to try something substantial like that!! Thanks I will try.

Thats how I got my boy straight off the track to stand at the mounting block…. Took 6 days ? hes a gem ?

 

[Fire sign]

Mine does this sometimes ... you can bridge the reins while mounting you know , just press your knuckle into the wither and then they are just pulling against themselves

 

[Eventing2022]

Mine does this sometimes ... you can bridge the reins while mounting you know , just press your knuckle into the wither and then they are just pulling against themselves

Oh. So like bridge with one hand?

 

[Fire sign]

Yes , bridge the reins with one hand and press your knuckle into the neck and they can snatch away and are going nowhere

 

[Horseysheepy]

A mini Horslyx held by someone on foot?

 

[Eventing2022]

A mini Horslyx held by someone on foot?

I like this idea but we very rarely have anyone around which was why I was thinking of the handsfree headcollar you can put them in.

 

[Horseysheepy]

I like this idea but we very rarely have anyone around which was why I was thinking of the handsfree headcollar you can put them in.

I didn't realise they did those!
That would be so handy as I keep my horses at home and have nobody horsey to grab to help with situations, like yourself.

 

[Eventing2022]

I didn't realise they did those!
That would be so handy as I keep my horses at home and have nobody horsey to grab to help with situations, like yourself.

https://handsfreehandling.co.uk/

But I'm not sure how feasible it is to take it off when mounted......

 

[Horseysheepy]

Gee thanks!
I suppose you could learn forward and undo the jaw clip and tug it off?.
I use to exercise a horse who I would tie a bucket of carrots to a gate to distract it to get on.

 

[Eventing2022]

Gee thanks!
I suppose you could learn forward and undo the jaw clip and tug it off?.
I use to exercise a horse who I would tie a bucket of carrots to a gate to distract it to get on.

Yeah thats sort of what I'm thinking. Worth a try I suppose if carrots/stuffing his face with treats doesn't work.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Sacroiliac pain!!

 

[smiggy]

I’m always on my own and always teach mine to stand for mounting with a treat. They get a few high fibre nuts and stand nicely while I get on, then once I’m on they get another one before we move off. It’s the second one that focuses the attention I think and makes them really solid standers. I wonder if that would work for you, so he is more focused on the thought of getting that second treat once your bum is safely in the saddle.

 

[Lois Lame]

Yes, I think try a carrot or apple fix first in case it is just a habit caused by ________________ [fill in blank].
If, after a week(?) or so there is no improvement, investigate further.