Mounting a Horse That Won’t Stand Still
Imagine a movie scene loved by directors because it always captivates audiences: a horse stands by a tree, and a rider runs toward him.
The camera focuses on the stirrup as the rider slides their booted foot into it. The music swells, and just as the rider pushes off the ground, the horse moves forward, galloping down a dusty trail lined with cacti. It's a scene full of excitement and adrenaline.
So why do your feelings about mounting a horse differ so much from this cinematic vision?
In reality, this same scenario might look more like this: A rider leads her horse into the arena with a determined expression, similar to the one you have when testing the cold ocean water with your toes on a sunny beach. Slowly, she puts her foot into the stirrup... and now the horse acts. But not in the way you'd hope. Instead of calmly standing still, he walks off, leaving the rider balancing awkwardly and uttering words that would have earned her a scolding as a child.
Why do some horses refuse to stand still when being mounted?
There are several reasons. Let's break them down one by one and discuss how to address them.
- He Was Never Trained to Stand Still
This is a common issue, particularly in some regions or disciplines like Western riding, where horses aren't always taught to stand still during mounting.
Solution:
Teach your horse to stand at the mounting block as long as you need. Dedicate a training session to this alone, focusing on patience and consistency. On our Discord, you'll find detailed instructional videos and guides to help you through this process.
- He Loses Patience During a Slow Mount
Some horses are used to riders who can mount quickly and smoothly. When a rider takes longer, the horse may become restless and lose interest in standing still.
Solution:
Follow the same steps as before—teach your horse to stand still for as long as necessary. Use calm repetition and focus on rewarding good behavior.
- Bad Habits Developed by the Rider
If you consistently move forward immediately after mounting, your horse may begin associating mounting with an instant need to move. Over time, this can lead to restlessness or refusal to stand still.
Solution:
After mounting, stay still for a moment and calm your horse. Show him that standing still is a normal and expected part of the process.
- Discomfort or Health Issues
If your horse doesn't want to stand still, he might be signaling discomfort, pain, or stress caused by his tack or even past negative experiences.
Solution:
Check his equipment and overall health. Once any issues are resolved, rebuild his trust by approaching the situation with patience and positive reinforcement.
Quick Steps for Training Your Horse to Stand Still:
- Lead your saddled horse to the mounting block.
- Position him next to the block and let him stand still for a moment.
- Walk him away, circle back, and repeat the process, rewarding him when he stands calmly.
- Gradually add more steps: stand on the block, simulate mounting, and eventually mount completely.
- After mounting, stay still and reward your horse for standing quietly.
For added motivation and cooperation, reward him with treats after each successful attempt.
19.1.2025
Michel Jaonpeev Mare
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