How to teach a horse to stand still while mounting?

If your horse moves around during mounting, tries to walk away or backs away, it is not a convenient situation for the rider. Moreover, it may lead to dangerous situations, particularly in case of less experienced riders.

How to teach a horse to stand still during mounting?

Mounting a horse is a seemingly simple thing - as long as our horse stands still and allows us to get on. Problems arise when the horse starts moving around during mounting, preventing us from comfortably and safely getting in the saddle. Such situations should not be ignored. The rider has limited control during mounting and it is easy to fall down - especially when the problem concerns a horse on which beginners learn to ride. Such behavior may also be a sign of:

• poor relationship with the rider - e.g. lack of respect, trying to "test" the rider
• problems with the riding equipment - incorrectly fitted saddle, a worn out saddle pad that causes discomfort, parts of the saddle that irritate the horse's back
• health problems - e.g. back pain, ulcers(!)
• improper mounting which causes the horse discomfort
• an excess of energy, caused for example by insufficient exercise or a bad diet
• stress caused by environmental conditions (e.g. the horse is in a new place, is not used to the indoor arena, etc.)

It's worth taking a look at these points to find the reason why the horse won't stand still during mounting. What next?

1. My horse won't stand still when I'm mounting it - what should I do?

In order for the horse to stand still and allow us to get on, we should first rule out any equipment problems (sometimes it may even be an improperly fastened girth) and health problems. After that let's focus on ourselves: aren't you kicking the horse unintentionally while getting on, aren't you hanging on the saddle too much, aren’t you hitting the horse’s back with your foot? Such behaviors may cause the horse discomfort or even pain.

A good practice is to mount using a platform or a step. This method is better for the horse (if we usually get on from the left side, we weigh down this side of the horse and its left shoulder), and also is better for the riding equipment (we don't overstretch one of the reins). The horse should be trained to walk calmly to the steps - preferably with the help of another person and a large amount of treats!

Working with the horse from the ground is also crucial. In this way we can establish our authority and show him that cooperation can be beneficial for both of us. Eventually, the bond with the rider will cause the animal to be more trustful and relaxed when getting ready for the training. Then, we can also train the horse to stop and back up, which we will later use to teach him to stand still. As you can see, a simple moving around of a horse while getting on can be caused by many factors and we should treat the problem thoroughly.

2. Teaching your horse to stand still when mounting

There are a number of methods of teaching your horse to stand still, and each one has its advocates. No one method works overnight and it usually takes several or more practice sessions.

• Teaching the "stop" command from the ground, e.g. with the use of a clicker.
• Mounting with the help of another person, who holds the horse and rewards it for staying still. In subsequent sessions, the assistant gradually moves away from the horse.
• Rewarding the horse with a moment of rest and praise for standing still and "creating" discomfort when the horse starts moving during mounting. If the horse does move, use a dressage whip to encourage him to move in circles and back up. Then, let go and reward the horse for standing still. In this way you will show the animal that standing still is more rewarding.
• Repeating the process of mounting "to the point of boredom" - when the horse moves, stop him, tell him to back up, and try to get on again. Always reward staying still - it's all about the baby steps.

Remember that it is necessary to keep a rein contact during mounting. It gives the rider more control of the horse. Another important thing: the horse should stand even when the rider gets in the saddle and only move when given a calf signal. Sometimes the habit is so deeply rooted that a behaviorist advice turns out to be the best solution.

Are you looking for riding accessories for your horse? Have a look at our offer: saddle pads, horse boots, repellents.

Do you need any assistance? The Equishop Team is always willing to help.

Equestrian store: +48 784 039 784

E-mail: contact@equishop.com

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