Horse won't stand still
- Thread starter Tasia
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Jill
Aspiring Cowgirl
I had this problem with my first riding horse many years ago. I just lost him this past summer.
What worked for me was I started taking lessons from someone who realized "Sky" had no respect for me. She had me work with him on the ground first making him respect my space (he'd always knock me around before). I'd jerk down and tell him "quit" when he wouldn't hold still beside me or when he'd try and get in my space, and also when he didn't just STAND when told.
Then when it was time for me to mount him (after a week or so of just ground work), if he'd move from the mounting block, I'd say quit and make him go back to where he was. In like 1 minute, he was standing and I got on him by myself!
This was a horse I'd owned for a couple years and (shamefully) could only ride if someone held him for me to get on!!! I will never forget how elated I was the first time I could get on him by myself -- something I should have been able to do all along but couldn't.
So, if your horse is like mine was, the first step is for him to respect you on the ground and to hold still when you tell him to.
Good luck and ride safe!
What worked for me was I started taking lessons from someone who realized "Sky" had no respect for me. She had me work with him on the ground first making him respect my space (he'd always knock me around before). I'd jerk down and tell him "quit" when he wouldn't hold still beside me or when he'd try and get in my space, and also when he didn't just STAND when told.
Then when it was time for me to mount him (after a week or so of just ground work), if he'd move from the mounting block, I'd say quit and make him go back to where he was. In like 1 minute, he was standing and I got on him by myself!
This was a horse I'd owned for a couple years and (shamefully) could only ride if someone held him for me to get on!!! I will never forget how elated I was the first time I could get on him by myself -- something I should have been able to do all along but couldn't.
So, if your horse is like mine was, the first step is for him to respect you on the ground and to hold still when you tell him to.
Good luck and ride safe!
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Your horse needs to learn the word WHOA. You might think he knows what it means but if he is moving after you say WHOA than he doesn't understand that you really mean it. WHOA is the basic key word in training any horse. When you say it.....MEAN IT.
I teach everything I get on to stand still until I tell them to do otherwise.
I teach everything I get on to stand still until I tell them to do otherwise.
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Shari
Well-Known Member
I would also check to see if his saddle fits properly. If it does not, can also cause the probems you are having. Saddle fit can be a tricky thing, so using a "Port Lewis Pad" will go a long way to making sure your saddle does fit.
Or his back could be hurting. If the Vet or Chiro goes over him and it is not that........
Then is some retraining he needs. If you are not sure how to do it, I would recommend "Clinton Anderson's" DVD's. He can also be seen on RFDTV for free. Of all of those types out there,, his is the most easy to understand.
Good luck
Or his back could be hurting. If the Vet or Chiro goes over him and it is not that........
Then is some retraining he needs. If you are not sure how to do it, I would recommend "Clinton Anderson's" DVD's. He can also be seen on RFDTV for free. Of all of those types out there,, his is the most easy to understand.
Good luck
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Jill
Aspiring Cowgirl
I wonder (because this was my case with Sky) if the horse does know WHOA but does not know she means it. Sky knew. He KNEW. He just didn't know I was the boss, so the ground work and me being firm really made it work and fast. It wouldn't have gone so quickly if he truly didn't know what it meant to WHOA and STAND... Because it happened to me, I notice it a lot when I see other people being "pushed around" by their horse, vs. a horse who truly hasn't been taught.
(I guess I'm saying Sky had out smarted me there for a couple years back when I was just dumb and happy to have my own horse -- even if I could not get on him w/o help
OH! )
(I guess I'm saying Sky had out smarted me there for a couple years back when I was just dumb and happy to have my own horse -- even if I could not get on him w/o help
OH! )
anoki
Well-Known Member
What works with Anoki when he tries this stunt.....MAKE HIM BACK UP! Horses hate it! And when I say make him back up, it's not a step or 2.....make him do a dozen steps or more....
As soon as I go to mount if he moves sideways, backwards, whatever, I stop trying to mount, go in front of him, MAKE HIM BACK UP whether he wants to or not. And after that he stands perfectly still (and stands perfectly still the next day trying to mount too). Usually when he's had a few days off, he tries it again, but every time I've done this it has worked.
~kathryn
As soon as I go to mount if he moves sideways, backwards, whatever, I stop trying to mount, go in front of him, MAKE HIM BACK UP whether he wants to or not. And after that he stands perfectly still (and stands perfectly still the next day trying to mount too). Usually when he's had a few days off, he tries it again, but every time I've done this it has worked.
~kathryn
Shelley
Well-Known Member
I had a horse that backed up when I tried to mount. I asked everybody what to do and tried
everything (including the backing up). Nothing seemed to work.
I sold him and got a different horse.
Shelley
everything (including the backing up). Nothing seemed to work.
I sold him and got a different horse.
Shelley
Jill
Aspiring Cowgirl
Just another thing crossed my mind (again, remembering the wrong things I used to do). Before I got help with how to handle Sky, when I would go to mount, I would pause for a second (partly because I was a little scared). So, I'd put my foot in the stirrup -- pause for deep breath -- and then try and get on as he'd step away
So, part was making him know to respect my "woah", making him retrace his step when he did move away, and me just going for it without that pause
Field-of-Dreams
Well-Known Member
I heard if he won't stand, hold the reins and make him go around you- around and around and around. Keep going till he asks to stop, then go a few more times, THEN stop. Then try to mount, if he moves, do it again. Sooner or later he WILL get the idea it is FAR easier to stand than to go in circles.
Lucy
Lucy
L
Lil Farm
Guest
Anoki is on the right track but I use a slightly different method only because backing can lead to a new unwanted behavior and can't be done vigorously enough to make a permanent impression in this case. Backing does have great benefits for respect issues though.
When training any horse to do anything one of my favorite tools is a good quality rope halter with at least a 15' lead. Training out an unwanted behavior can be counterintuitive at times because I'm going to tell you is to get his butt moving rather than stop.
I walk up to the horse and attempt to mount saying whoa so he has something to associate it with and cause him/her to do the unwanted behavior. When that has happened I send them off at a brisk trot on the long lead and really get after them--no fooling around I get them hustling. I would say at least a good 10 times around me, then I tell him whoa. Let him stop and think, the thinking part is integral to getting the message and can't be omitted. I repeat the same thing and if he moves, he gets sent off to briskly trot again but maybe 15 times. Then stop him, tell him whoa, and begin the mount, if there is even the tiniest attempt to move we do it again but it rarely takes a third time but it may take more than one session with a horse that has something ingrained. A horse will quickly learn when it benefits them, if they stand still they get to relax, if they move they have to go to work. I have taught too many horses to count to stand stock still when I approach using this and we get it down pat before we really need it, like on the trail or in a dicey situation that requires them to stay put while mounting or driving. I've always said it's 90% of my horses job to stand still, they need it for farrier and vet work, grooming, settling in the trailer, mounting etc. and it's one the most important lessons they will ever learn.
When training any horse to do anything one of my favorite tools is a good quality rope halter with at least a 15' lead. Training out an unwanted behavior can be counterintuitive at times because I'm going to tell you is to get his butt moving rather than stop.
I walk up to the horse and attempt to mount saying whoa so he has something to associate it with and cause him/her to do the unwanted behavior. When that has happened I send them off at a brisk trot on the long lead and really get after them--no fooling around I get them hustling. I would say at least a good 10 times around me, then I tell him whoa. Let him stop and think, the thinking part is integral to getting the message and can't be omitted. I repeat the same thing and if he moves, he gets sent off to briskly trot again but maybe 15 times. Then stop him, tell him whoa, and begin the mount, if there is even the tiniest attempt to move we do it again but it rarely takes a third time but it may take more than one session with a horse that has something ingrained. A horse will quickly learn when it benefits them, if they stand still they get to relax, if they move they have to go to work. I have taught too many horses to count to stand stock still when I approach using this and we get it down pat before we really need it, like on the trail or in a dicey situation that requires them to stay put while mounting or driving. I've always said it's 90% of my horses job to stand still, they need it for farrier and vet work, grooming, settling in the trailer, mounting etc. and it's one the most important lessons they will ever learn.
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palominogirl
Guest
i have a gelding who likes to do the same he will let you get on once without a problem but if you get off and go to get back on he will move all over the place. i was told that if the horse moves while your trying to get on you back him up until he is in the place he was at before he moved. i had a neighbor come down who was suppose to give me riding lessons but he got busy but he came down for a night and watched me ride and he said that iz wasnt respecting me and that i needed to show him who was in control. when i started getting more firm he started to do better. but i have tried the backing up method it may not work the first time or the second but after a few tries your horse will realize if he moves hes gonna work. good luck
Brittanie
Brittanie
E
Elsa
Guest
Personally, I'm not a fan of the backing up method. I've mounted several horses that automatically start backing once I put the foot in the stirrup.
S
StarRidgeAcres
Guest
OMG Jill! This is exactly what I'm doing!when I would go to mount, I would pause for a second (partly because I was a little scared). So, I'd put my foot in the stirrup -- pause for deep breath -- and then try and get on as he'd step awaySo, part was making him know to respect my "woah", making him retrace his step when he did move away, and me just going for it without that pause
OH! I get Janie all lined up, pull the ladder up (yes, I use a 5ft step stool
When I bought her, she was a well-behaved girl. But I got her from an amish family and they worked her butt off all day! If she wasn't pulling a plow, she was taking everybody to church or to town. At my place she gets to eat, play, sleep, poop and do it all over again. I just need to face it...I don't need a riding horse! Especially not a 2000lb, 17.1hh one that moves when I tried to mount!!!
OH!
