Tell me what to do!!

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eahotson

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I have a mild physical problem, mainly due to age,arthritis, a faLL (not horse related).I have ignored all of this for far too long but am now having regular treatment from Chiropracter and also have some good exercises.Things are improving a lot.
The trouble is I have lost my confidence in mounting.I have a good mounting block and manged with my old boy fine because we knew each other so well and he stood like a rock for me in exactly the right place.
I now have a new one, although I have had her nearly a year.Stopped riding a bit for a few weeks as back went badly (started with the chiropracter) and hysbands ill health.
A few months ago I got a good trainer out to help with the bolshy little cobs manners as she was very bargy and dragging people all over the place too.He was VERY good.He was firm but not a bully and the staff were thrilled with him.
He no longer travels though as he now has his own base.I want to kill him but I could take my horse there for a fortnight,less really but he says to really establish good habits you need more than one or two sessions.
Spoke to my instructor and yard staff and they think she would be fine there (I was worried she would be upset) because they said she is not the sensitive sort and so long as she has a nice big haynet all will be fine.I can well afford it.Should I go for it.? Just to add staff will always help me, not an issue but I want my independence back.
 
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eahotson

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Pearlsasinger said:
Ye, as you already know the trainer is good and he knows your horse, go for it.
I would also stop giving her leeway for being 'sensitive', she's not. She's rude!. Any sound horse should stand by a mounting block for the rider to get on.
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No she is not sensitive not at all but she is young and uneducated.She can be rude and tried some of her old tricks with a new and junior member of staff.One of the others went and showed her what to do when she tried to behave like that and she settled down immediately and behaved.We are in the process of educating her.
 
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Pearlsacarolsinger

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eahotson said:
No she is not sensitive not at all but she is young and uneducated.She can be rude and tried some of her old tricks with a new and junior member of staff.One of the others went and showed her what to do when she tried to behave like that and she settled down immediately and behaved.We are in the process of educating her.
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I'm sorry I assumed that you thought she would be upset because you think she is sensitive.
 
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Having your horse trained to stand ALONE at the mounting block can be useful for so many reasons, I ride and lead a lot and so I can stand either at the mounting block, collect other horse and then mount. I also feels it shows that the horse is quite happy for you to mount, other wise they could so easily just walk off!
 
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WestCoast

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Absolutely worth it, but would advise you make sure they also train you as he will backslide otherwise.

I found that my opinionated mare that I had to kindly but firmly insist that she did everything she was asked to do. It is so easy to just let the little things slide, for example if you ask them to move over but get ignored, but it’s really worth it.
 
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He is right that you need to watch and then do it yourself.
I am helped by watching a trainer or RI do something. I can mimic the expert. But I dont think one can delegate when it comes to horses.
I also agree about needing the horse to do as one tells it and to teach it oneself.
I taught my old share to stand still at the mounting block with no one to hold her. And also to stand unheld for dismount. I could do the same with my present share but have chosen not to. I now (due to my age) have someone hold her while I get on and off, just for safety. It prevents her taking a step forward but also allows for the fact that I sometimes feel as if, once I have my boot in the stirrup to mount, it is caught there.

Mounting has unexpectedly become a problem for me since Covid lock down. I think that as one ages it is quite a big deal to push off from the solid mounting block and sit yourself on a large animal.
So I wouldnt make it a matter of pride to insist on mounting without someone to hold the horse. If help is at hand on your yard, I guess I would accept it. But in my case the yard is sometimes at cross purposes. The horses line up for mounting at the only block and each horse is expected to move quickly forward as soon as it feels the rider in the saddle. I am asking the mare to do something that no one else asks of her.
 
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eahotson

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Skib said:
He is right that you need to watch and then do it yourself.
I am helped by watching a trainer or RI do something. I can mimic the expert. But I dont think one can delegate when it comes to horses.
I also agree about needing the horse to do as one tells it and to teach it oneself.
I taught my old share to stand still at the mounting block with no one to hold her. And also to stand unheld for dismount. I could do the same with my present share but have chosen not to. I now (due to my age) have someone hold her while I get on and off, just for safety. It prevents her taking a step forward but also allows for the fact that I sometimes feel as if, once I have my boot in the stirrup to mount, it is caught there.

Mounting has unexpectedly become a problem for me since Covid lock down. I think that as one ages it is quite a big deal to push off from the solid mounting block and sit yourself on a large animal.
So I wouldnt make it a matter of pride to insist on mounting without someone to hold the horse. If help is at hand on your yard, I guess I would accept it. But in my case the yard is sometimes at cross purposes. The horses line up for mounting at the only block and each horse is expected to move quickly forward as soon as it feels the rider in the saddle. I am asking the mare to do something that no one else asks of her.
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Thank you for that.I feel a little better knowing I am not the only one struggling with this.She is very good to dismount, no trouble at all and my instructor can mount her from the block unaided I just can't.The pride thing is worth bearing in mind too.
Interestingly my old boy would stand like a rock for me but if he was going out with any of the staff he would move off as soon as he felt them in the saddle but then they taught him to do that!!!!!
 
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