Why won't my horse stand to be mounted?

Question

i recently got a 16.3hh 10 year old TB on loan 5 days a week. he's fantastic at lunging etc but i just can't get on him. I've heard, because he used to do racing, that it's because he's used to being mounted whilst moving but i'm not sure as this would have been a while ago? I need to buy a proper mounting block but im getting bored of just lunging. It's a small yard, with only 6 horses, and hardly anyone is there most of the time. I'm not sure what to do but its getting really frustrating that as soon as i touch the reins he either backs up or moves forward. What can i do? Please help.

Answer 1

I know what you're talking about, many of my ex-race horses tend to not want to stand at the mounting block, mainly because like you said they are used to having jockeys thrown up on their back while walking.  For most of my horses I always had someone around to hold them and eventually they learned but when I didn't have anyone to help I would start by bringing a portable mounting block next to them for grooming, get them used to me being taller than them without getting on.  This way they don't anticipate you mounting them.  Also make sure your horse listens to the word whoa, it makes things a lot easier.  When you take them out to the field or arena to get ready to ride stand on the mounting block but don't get on.  Let them get over that anticipation of you getting on once you step up on the mounting block.  Perhaps stand on the mounting block and then get off and go lunge, or get off and untack them.  

The psychology behind your horse moving when you go to get on is all about anticipation of you mounting them.  It's almost like you have to use reverse psychology so they stop that anticipation.  All my horses from the track stand while being mounted and I don't have to go through all these processes to get on.  It may take a few months of consistently being inconsistent if that makes sense to you, but the end product is an ex-race horse that you can walk up to anything and they will stand to be mounted.

Answer 2

would you just stand there while i mounted you??

and maybe thats your answer!!!!!

Answer 3

ok so maybe hes scared. what you do is have someone hold him while you mount. while they hold him, talk to him you will know that hes listening when his ears twitch towars you. soothe him.

Answer 4

you can teach him to stand at the mounting block... bring him into the arena with his bridle on, set the mounting block beside him, but don't get on... have a brush there with you and just brush him.  then when he's comfortable, step up onto the mounting block and keep brushing him.  Gradually step up the steps of the block while brushing him so he gets comfortable standing at the block.  Then once you're able to stand on the block, start putting your weight across his back and brushing him at the same time... like reach your arms across him to brush his far side so your chest is against his back.  Then after awhile you should be able to reach a leg up to his back too.  A couple sessions of that and he should stand nicely at the mounting block for you to get on.  It wouldn't hurt to have some treats to feed him while he's standing nice and still too.

The other thing you can do is put him in the corner when you get on... that way he has no where to go.  If he has a problem with backing up when you mount, I'd put his butt in the corner and when you go to get on, have the reins tight enough that you're pulling him to say stop.  The trekehner that I ride at my barn always tries to walk when I go to mount up, but so long as you have the reins tight she will stand.