No Go
March 31, 2009
Tips to keep your horse standing still while you get on.
Become a better horseman with "AQHA's Fundamentals of Horsemanship."
From “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship”
Can you barely swing your leg over your horse’s side before he starts to walk off?
If you’re envious of those horses who stand still as a statue until their riders are ready, these instructions are for you.
Objectives
- To get onto your horse without his moving or becoming disturbed.
- To have your horse “await further instructions” once you have mounted.
- To ensure the mental, emotional and physical connection between you and your horse is not disrupted when you get on his back.
A strong connection between horse and human is an essential part of good horsemanship. Start reading “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship” to learn the steps to develop and maintain that connection both on the ground and in the saddle. AQHA members get a discount!
What Does My Horse Need to Know?
It is most important that once you are in the saddle, the first thing you should do is nothing. The horse will soon associate being mounted with the minute of rest and comfort that follows. He will almost look forward to you getting on.
If you put the horse to work immediately, two problems will arise:
1. He will associate being mounted with the discomfort of work.
2. He will anticipate moving off and will not be still while you mount.
Patience is a virtue, for both man and horse. Take care when swinging your leg over not to kick or frighten your horse. Maintain a slight lateral flexion until you are safely in position with a foot in each stirrup. Release the reins, and allow the horse either to be still or to move. If he chooses to move, take one rein and lift it to stop his movement.
If this is not effective, take a lateral flexion and hold it until the horse is still. Release again and allow the horse to move if he must. He will soon decide that it is easier and more comfortable to be still and await further instructions.
To Succeed
- You must allow your horse to stand still prior to making any adjustments to your position or the saddle.
- Once your horse has become accustomed to the idea of not moving immediately, you can stand in your stirrups, adjust your position and test that your horse has really resolved to stand still.
- You must learn to read your horse’s body language. If his hind legs are apart, he may be ready to move quickly. It is much better to have the forelegs apart and the hind legs close together.
Not sure how to read your horse’s body language? Learn how with “AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship.” The thoughtful step-by-step training tips will increase your ability to communicate with your horse. “Fundamentals of Horsemanship” is available exclusively at Quarter Horse Outfitters.
Errors to Avoid
- Do not throw yourself into the saddle. Ease yourself into position. This will be easier if you use a mounting block to get on. You can make your own with AQHA’s How to Build a Mounting Block FREE report.
- Do not cause your horse to associate being mounted with discomfort.
- Do not get on if your horse’s hind legs are spread, or if he is tense or engaged. Be sure he is calm and not ready to explode.
- Do not sit heavily on your horse’s back. He won’t appreciate your presence.
- Do not apply any leg pressure or do anything to provoke movement once you are in the saddle.
How Will This Help Me?
When you get on your horse, he relaxes and associates being mounted with a moment of rest and comfort, instead of anticipating movement.
Your horse will not walk away until you say so. You will leave together.
Want to Win a Ticket and VIP Pass to AQHA’s QuarterFest?
Pull our your video camera! Wednesday, April 1, is the last day to enter AQHA’s “Life is a Ride” video contest.
Make a video of you and your horse showing us where you like to ride, and you could be one of the 10 riders chosen to win a ticket and VIP pass to QuarterFest: A celebration of America’s Horse! Videos should be two minutes or shorter. See complete contest rules on the QuarterFest page.
Comments
8 Comments on “No Go”
Add a Comment
March 31st, 2009 at 8:50 am
Great tips on standing while being mounted. Also on having the horse be good at standing while being saddled. I like to be aware of where my horses attention is, and make sure we are focused on the same goal.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I don’t think the position of the person mounting the horse in the photo is correct. She is nearly horizontal over the neck of the horse. Should the horse elevate his neck suddenly or move off, the girl would most certainly be off balance and wind up on the ground or worse, get struck in the head.
April 10th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Yes I agree, she doesn’t look safe, as she get’s on the horse, is this correct?
April 10th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I allow my horse to stand after I have mounted. When I am ready to move I always back a few steps before I go forward. I think this helps remind my horse that he cannot just walk off.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Standing still is one of the first “built in’s” we put on our babies when we start them. My friends are all jealous of the stand and wait they all have. Its a mandatory thing, we just always have a small chat session, while we are adjusting and fidgeting and just staanding there. Focus is important, theirs on you and you on them. I like the idea of feeling where their feet are and not ‘plopping’ on them.
Pat: when are you coming back to So. Cal. we need a clinic….
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
We adopted a mare, that’s nearly perfect for us, but for One thing! She does not stand still when we are mounting! My husband can get on her okay, but I need a mounting block and someone to hold her. I’m 55 years old and the first and last time, I tried to mount her, I ended up behind the cantle. I’m not as agile as I used to be and need her to stand! Any suggestions?
June 26th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Nancy, I’m 58 and I know what you mean! I’m no expert, but since no one else has answered, maybe I can give you some ideas. Begin at the 1st point of difficulty. At what point does her head come up, before she starts to move? If she raises her head and/or moves beside the mounting block, make sure she’s had time to sniff it, and ask her to stand beside it for a few seconds, then pet her and lead her away. Repeat. Many times. Then lead her to it, step up on the block, and back down, and lead her away. Then add putting your toe in the stirrup and removing it–immediately at 1st, then leave it longer each time. You might just bounce on the step a little to see if it bothers her, and then the stirrup. Your goal is to make her think of moving but back off before she does, or to be in a position you can maintain until she stops moving and THEN quit. Repeat the little steps a lot, and praise her and pet her a lot WHEN she is still. Since your husband can manage, he should do some of the steps for you, especially if it comes to standing in one stirrup and turning her head until she stops, then stepping down. (He should use the mounting block, too, for your sake.) Both of you should use one rein to bend her until she stops moving, and ALWAYS wait at least 1 minute (60 seconds!) after mounting before asking her to move off.
Actually, you should see if there’s any apprehension in her about the saddling process. Can you saddle her without tying her, and without any sign of tension (raised head, etc.)? If not, start there! Give her a chance to look and sniff everything, and to “give you permission” by being totally relaxed.
Hope this helps!
September 20th, 2010 at 10:42 am
[...] can let you in on how he is feeling, possibly what he is thinking, and you might even be able to anticipate his next move. Horses will give you many clues, and by paying close attention, you can gain insight [...]