[ltlswerve]

When i am done putting the saddle on i throw the reins around my horses neck and walk to put my foot in the stirrup. when i do this he follows me, he backs with me. sometimes when i throw the riens of his neck he instantly walks backwards. Once i get on i am fine but i had to restort to jumping on. he is trained to follow his rider when you get off do you think he is just confused between when i mount and when i lead him? How can i distinguish between the to. So far i tried saying wo and wont and move slowing back. i can get to the stirrup but as soon as a lift my leg he goes backwards. how can i teach him to stand still.

ps he never moves when putting on the saddle or brushing him he is a really quiet horse.
thanks

[Cavalier]

To me it sounds like he is confused.

Is it possible to get someone to hold him while you get on for the next few rides? This will help him to understand that he is to stay still while you mount.

Also, use a mounting block...I do this 95% of the time, regardless the size of the horse, because you get up there much quicker and easier and aren't pulling the saddle or pulling yourself up there...its more comfortable for the horse, so he is far more likely to stand quietly and still while you mount.

[Jess!]

If he tries to move while you're getting on him - make him back up. Back him up until he wants to stop, then back him some more. He'll eventually realize that moving when you want to get on him is more work that just standing there.

[Bruce Wiley]

Ask him to dis-engage his hind end in both directions and when he has perform those correctly,then it time to do the first part of mounting.

Put the tip of your foot in the stirrup and if he moves, then request him to repeat the disengagement in both direction but ask for more energy in his movement.
This movement of engagement will help and soften his hind end and open his mind to what you want and thats is to stand still when mounting.
This is a simple task for the horse to understand, but some horses do this to evade work- it just a way of saying I"ll not ready.
Repeat this and reward him when he get it correctly by the release all pressures and the movement.
It about helping horse to learn,understand what we want from them and by applying pressure to the moving part and releasing the pressure when he is standing still, makes it clear of your intentions.
Be patient,fair,clear,consistant with your requests and leadership.
I hope this helps.

[Goonhorse]

You could teach him to park out...

http://my.execpc.com/37/82/wwha/parkingout.html

It's also possible he may have a sore back.

[Tallpine]

FWIW ... I always get on "cowboy style" - that is, I stand by the horse's front shoulder facing backward and twist the stirrup around to put my left foot in, and do a 180 degree turn as I come up to land facing forward in the seat.

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by ltlswerve

When i am done putting the saddle on i throw the reins around my horses neck and walk to put my foot in the stirrup. when i do this he follows me, he backs with me.

ltlswerve
Your one step ahead of me. Hah, my little gal has figured out that she will start backing up when I put the saddle on her

Good luck
Alot of people posted great ideas.
Let us know which one worked for you and your horse.

[lucky_pine]

Originally Posted by Tallpine

FWIW ... I always get on "cowboy style" - that is, I stand by the horse's front shoulder facing backward and twist the stirrup around to put my left foot in, and do a 180 degree turn as I come up to land facing forward in the seat.

Give cowboys a bad name eh? I'm suprised your horse doesn't take off walking when you go to mount, considering I'm almost sure you end up kicked him on the way up there. Not to be bashing or anything. But I've NEVER seen this method work.

As for the OP, something people don't bother even thinking about. Make sure you aren't poking him with your toe before trying other ideas.

[Jess!]

Originally Posted by lucky_pine

Give cowboys a bad name eh? I'm suprised your horse doesn't take off walking when you go to mount, considering I'm almost sure you end up kicked him on the way up there. Not to be bashing or anything. But I've NEVER seen this method work.

As for the OP, something people don't bother even thinking about. Make sure you aren't poking him with your toe before trying other ideas.

I alternate between the "cowboy style" and regular mounting, and have never had any problems. You just have to make sure you're not hitting them, OR landing heavily in the seat.

[lucky_pine]

Originally Posted by Jess!

I alternate between the "cowboy style" and regular mounting, and have never had any problems. You just have to make sure you're not hitting them, OR landing heavily in the seat.

And now honestly Jess, given the fact that a lot of riders are backyard riders, how many know not to land heavily? The people I ride with are HORRIBLE at this. Grab the stirrup, twist it, and THUMP they're on the horse while the horse grunts. If done correctly, it's fine. But most of the times its not.