Teaching a horse to stand when getting on!

[Lippyx]

Hi all,

I am having real issues with Toby and standing still! He just hates standing still!

Getting on takes a fair few attempts of going to the block, stepping onto the block, gathering the reins, only for him to swing his quarters out. So off the block, walk him back round, stand at the block, step on to the block.... and so on.

Yesterday I had my OH help me. I stood on the block, OH walked Toby up to the block, he was fine, stood at the block. As soon as I take up the reins, the quarters go out.

Once I am on, he stands like a saint, and doesn't move a muscle!

Once on, we walk up to the school. I stand him in the school to adjust girth, and he walks off. Halt exercises are terrible, he just fidgets and after schooling, I make him stand before we leave the school, and he just shakes his head and fidgets. Its like he just wants to get on with something.

Walk back to the yard, stop outside his stable, and again, he stands like saint whilst I dismount.

Now I am hoping this is a baby thing, I have to be consistent with and persevere with it. I am worried he is uncomfortable in his back. I have saddler coming out on Saturday, as he is getting a new saddle fitted.

So, my question is, what's the best way to teach a baby to stand, any tricks?
I have a saying "busy feet mean busy mind", so I can't help but think he has something on his mind??!!!

 

[JustKickOn]

Try moving the block slightly away from the fence or wall, and then lead him between the block and fence/wall so he is in a channel.
Or have somebody stand by him to stop him moving.

The actual standing is just persistence and reinforcing good behaviour.

 

[Tia0513]

Practice makes perfect, be fair but firm with him. I am having a similar thing with my youngster when mounting and also my mums youngster. Both stand brilliantly when mounting from the floor but it's not something I like to do often. We have a solid mounting block which can't be moved but also a stool I use when mounting in the school. If they move I move it with them, they stand I put it down and step up... if they move again I repeat the process. I have found with my mums that he stands better and quicker if I position the stool more towards the back of the saddle rather than at his shoulder. It will be slightly different with each but really it's just being consistent with them & if it helps, have someone stood at the opposite side to stop him swinging his quarters out?

 

[TrasaM]

I had to go through the same process with share horse. I got a friend to stand near his head with some carrot pieces so when he stood he was rewarded once I was on. No stand no reward and friends only function was to dispense treats because I didn't want him to think it'd take two of us to get him standing. It'll be interesting to see how he is after his saddle is checked.
And you're not alone because I'm now having to go through the same routine with my friends mare who will not stand and swings her butt away every time. I caught her by surprise by getting on from the right but she now knows I can do either side mounts so it doesn't work. Grrrhhhh...

 

[JillA]

And if he does move, take the block to him so he eventually twigs it hasn't achieved anything.
I did sort the quarters out problem with mine at a Mark Rashid clinic - it involves an aversive, in this case backing him up. Lead him to the block, begin the process of mounting as the INSTANT he moves his quarters out, jump off the block and back him up several strides. Repeat a few times and if your timing is spot on (like Kathleen's was for me) at the fourth or fifth time you will see him think of moving and then decide against. Worked a treat for mine.
It can be a baby and balance thing so be prepared to cut him a little slack now and again - my lad was 8 and I have since taught him a "wait" or "stand" cue. Do it just like teaching a dog to stay. Place him, step away, step back and reward so long as he hasn't moved. Gradually extend the distance and time before you return to him with the reward, and if he does move, just put him back where he was and do it again. Do it on the ground and when he has got it you can start to use it when you are in the saddle, it's really really useful as well as being good fun.

 

[Lippyx]

And if he does move, take the block to him so he eventually twigs it hasn't achieved anything.
I did sort the quarters out problem with mine at a Mark Rashid clinic - it involves an aversive, in this case backing him up. Lead him to the block, begin the process of mounting as the INSTANT he moves his quarters out, jump off the block and back him up several strides. Repeat a few times and if your timing is spot on (like Kathleen's was for me) at the fourth or fifth time you will see him think of moving and then decide against. Worked a treat for mine.
It can be a baby and balance thing so be prepared to cut him a little slack now and again - my lad was 8 and I have since taught him a "wait" or "stand" cue. Do it just like teaching a dog to stay. Place him, step away, step back and reward so long as he hasn't moved. Gradually extend the distance and time before you return to him with the reward, and if he does move, just put him back where he was and do it again. Do it on the ground and when he has got it you can start to use it when you are in the saddle, it's really really useful as well as being good fun.

I like the idea of this exercise, and having trained puppies in the past, it makes sense!
I will start with this, as unfortunately, the moving the block trick won't work as all the blocks on the yard are fixed.

My friend said she might pop up a few evenings this week too, so will get her to be chief treat disperser when I am getting on!

 

[Ceriann]

Mine is doing this now too and i just move the block with her so that (as said above) she twigs moving back doesnt work. I dont say anything (other than stand when she gets walked to the block) or tell her off just keep at it - when she does stand she gets a good girl pat. Generally third time lucky and if i get a foot in the stirrup she stands like a rock (she moves away the minute i gather the reins only - similar to you). I used to treat her on mounting but ive stopped that as treats were making her nippy. Once on she will stand until i ask for forward and is very good to girth up out or in the school.

 

[Costypop]

A scratch on the neck is what works for my boy, had a nightmare of a time trying to get him to stand to get on, treats didn't work as he is too food minded so just tried to mug me. But mounting block now means he gets a good scratch if he stands still, then it's the first thing I do when I get on, now stands without any rein contact and doesn't move till asked, can mount for anything now too.

Also getting on doing abit of work, getting on/off again repeating a number of times during the session.