How to Get a Horse to Stand Still for Mounting

When horses move while a rider is mounting, it can be annoying or even dangerous. Teaching your horse to stand still for mounting is a simple skill that even novice horse owners can teach their horse

for mounting.

Does your horse try to walk off while you are in the middle of mounting?

This happens for many riders. It becomes a bad habit when it isn’t corrected. It is also very unsafe for you as the rider. If your horse starts moving while you are only part of the way mounted, it could cause you to fall off. Even worse, if your foot is caught in the stirrup, you be dragged by your horse

this is a habit your horse has developed, here are some suggestions to help fix the problem.

1. Use a Mounting Block to Minimize Discomfort

A rider mounting from the ground can be uncomfortable for a horse.

The first step when your horse won’t stand still for mounting is to rule out pain or discomfort that might be bugging them. Your horse may have back or neck soreness, or their saddle doesn’t fit right. Mounting from the ground will make the pain worse for them. If they move away while you are trying to mount, it could be their way of trying to avoid more pain. Make sure the saddle is fitting them correctly, and have a vet rule out any possible soreness.

Some horses with a history of soreness in the past may also try to move away during mounting because they remember the discomfort. Try using a mounting block for a while to see if they will stand for mounting better if you use a block. The mounting block reduces torque on the saddle by raising you up so you are not putting as much pressure on your horse’s back while mounting.

mount up. This will help teach your horse patience and lessen the expectation that they will get to go forward right away.

3. Make it More Work to Move Around

If your horse is still moving around while you are trying to mount then put them to work:

• Start lunging them in small circles right where you are at and keep their feet moving.
• Send them around you a few times, then ask them to stand next to the mounting block again.
• Try to mount again, and if they start moving again, go back

The idea is to make standing at the mounting block seem like the best place to be. That is where they get to rest. When they do stand still for you to mount, do not put them to work right away. Give them 10 to 20 seconds to stand after mounting, and make sure to give them lots of pets and praise. Then begin your ride.