My horse wont let me mount her?

Question

when i walk beside her she will be good as gold but soon as i put the reins over her head and try to mount her straight away she will start throwing her head and tries to bite me.also she pulls her back end as if she was going to lash out at me. she has gotten worse because before i could mount and be walking along and then she just starts to swish her tail, twitches, tenses the muscles in her neck and shakes her head and gets very strong with that. please help thank you

Answer 1

make sure your tack is correctly fitting. I know what ill fitting tack can do. and that is just the start if it is your tack. Also just throw your reigns over her head occasionally when your walking around so that way it dosen't allways mean mounting.. :)  what kind of bit are you using maybe its too harsh for her.. Do you use a mounting block the pressure on her back when your mounting could be the problem.. I would suggest running your finger down her back applying slite pressure if she twitches her back is sore.. you will be able to tell.

Answer 2

i agree with all the other answerers......she could be grumpy because she's uncomfortable or something.....or like many of the horses at my barn, she just doesnt want to be ridden and is trying to discourage you.  Our barn is filled with rescued horses, many are green and many  have little quirks like yours.  

When mounting, pull the rein on the opposite side of her body so that she can't reach around and bite.  If she moves, either circle her until she stands or......what we prefer to do.....get one foot in the stirrup and climb up while she's moving.  Eventually, she'll learn that you CAN get on even when she acts bratty, and will hopefully give up her efforts to keep you off.   Hope this helps!  good luck

Answer 3

How many times has that happened? She might have been pinched by the saddle or saddle pad, or a burr could have been stuck underneath. She might also have a sore back - a horse at my barn had been overused and needed about a week of rest because her back was so sore. Also be more gentle and slow when you put the reins over her head. Before you leave the stable, run your hand under her girth to make sure it isn't pinching. Check that the bit isn't pulling at her mouth and the bridle isn't to loose or too tight. If she wears boots or wraps, make sure the boots aren't scraping he legs and the wraps aren't too tight. Another thing to make her more comfortable is grooming and fly spray. If there's any dust or dirt in her hair, it will itch and rub once you get on. Groom her well, especially where the saddle pad and girth will be. After you brush her, use fly spray. When she swishes her tail and shakes her head she might be trying to get rid of flies.

Answer 4

Have you ever ridden her bareback?  If so, and she complies, then you now that it is her tack...if not, then two things are apparent...she has a pain issue and/or is simply spoiled and has figured out a way to keep you and others off her back and her from working.  I would begin by grooming her well and notice if there are any areas that she favors or swishes her tail while you are touching it...then I would take my fingers and go down her spine, both sides, fairly hard, and see if she reacts to that.  Pick up each foot, one at a time and see if she is able to stand on the other three while you have the 4th one picked up.  Take her front legs, one at a time and pull them out in front of her...track her out, is she limping?  Do the same with her hind legs...first pull them up, one at a time up under her...track her out...nothing?  Now, stretch them out behind her...track her out, see if you can detect any limp...do this on all four...see how high and how low she can comfortably get her head/neck.  Check her saddle pad and saddle for stickers, burrs, nails working out from the saddle, etc.  In other words, everything that could possibly touch her when you put your weight in the saddle, check it out...if all of this checks out...just get someone to help you hold her, use a step stool, and get on her...don't give her a choice, and don't let her bluff you out.

Answer 5

Hello,

I agree with a few of these answers, check you gear.  I would also while she is untacked rub firmly down her spine on both sides and her withers and sides to see if she flinches at any spots in particular.

Some horses get cranky if they have been saddled by people hauling up onto them and then flapping down hard.  

It would be helpful if we know a bit more about the mare:

How long have you been riding her?

You said she stated with being impatient and swishing her tail, has she always done this?

How old is she?

Do you have a new saddle?

Does you saddle have the proper size tree for her?  

Does she need a contoured pad (for high withers)?

Does she need a straight pad (for mutton backed horses)?

Have you switched any gear?

How is her cinch?

Have you lunged her in the saddle first to see how she acts without you on her in the tack?

There are MANY things that can be making her cranky...  You will need to go down the list and eliminate things one at a time.  This should help you find the problem.

Hope you find the answer soon!

***EDIT***  I agree with sixirish...  I HOPE this is something new, and not a SMART horse that has figured out how to get of working!!!!

Answer 6

She sounds like she could be in pain.  Get her saddle, back and teeth check imo.

Or if she is being naughty, get someone to help you hold her still.  Give her lots of praise wen she is good.

Answer 7

rotfl! keep turning her in a circle every time she does it, and smack her on the shoulder.