[Tallboots]

When you get on her make her flex her head toward you and wait untill she stands and you can get on the most important thing once you get on is to stay where you are at I like to make them flex for a few minutes. She will get to the point that you won't have to hold her head aroubd because she knows she isn't going anywhere

I have done this, but she is perfectly content with just spinning in circles for.. ten or so minutes. And when she stops moving and I go to get up she spins some more.

Have you tried mounting from the other side to see if it's better with the block? My gelding spins away when I try to mount on the left usually, but he's fine on the right. Maybe she's weaker on the left side?

No I haven't tried.. just because I am uncoordinated myself at mounting from the right. There's nothing that really leads me to beleive she is weaker on her left side though, because in the flexion test the vet did, she was favoring the left side.

If she will let you mount from the ground, but still fusses, start there. Get her to the point where she will stand quitely for mounting from the ground. How? My favorite is to verbally ask her to "stand still'. Attempt to mount. If she moves off, quietly back her up to the original starting point, or a little farther back. Ask her to "stand still" again, and re-attempt. Continue all steps until she does stand still. If you are consistent, each mounting attempt should bring less and less fuss than the last one.

When you are done with the ride, try re-mounting. The more times you successfully mount, the quicker the progress will be. But make no mistake, it will take a lot of patience.

Once the ground mounting is successful, re-introduce mounting from another surface. I agree with the straw bale idea. It is nice and "natural", plus gives a longer surface for you to attmept to mount from. But, follow the same procedures... asking her to "stand still", and if she does not, make her back up.

Thank you for this advice.. I will definatly try it. Maya seems to really respond from verbal commands too.

[AtomicTop]

I understand she is a new horse for you. Have you considered not getting on for a while and just working on trust on the ground? Just grooming her and rubbing her and LOTS and LOTS of flexing without getting on. Every time she flexed and does not circle, reward her by letting her head go and rubbing her. Then, when she has stopped circling, flex again and simulate getting up but don't. As soon as she acccepts that without moving, release again and reward. ALWAYS reward the desired behaviour with release. Then take it up a notch again and try to mount. If her head is really flexed (to your stirrup) and she is truly relaxed, then she should not be able to go far. Once successfully in the saddle, keep the neck flexed and rub her head from the saddle. Lots and lots of positive associations with letting you mount.

[lbhugg]

Originally Posted by AtomicTop

I understand she is a new horse for you. Have you considered not getting on for a while and just working on trust on the ground? Just grooming her and rubbing her and LOTS and LOTS of flexing without getting on. Every time she flexed and does not circle, reward her by letting her head go and rubbing her. Then, when she has stopped circling, flex again and simulate getting up but don't. As soon as she acccepts that without moving, release again and reward. ALWAYS reward the desired behaviour with release. Then take it up a notch again and try to mount. If her head is really flexed (to your stirrup) and she is truly relaxed, then she should not be able to go far. Once successfully in the saddle, keep the neck flexed and rub her head from the saddle. Lots and lots of positive associations with letting you mount.

Well said Even if she takes ten minutes at first keep going with it she will take less and less time to do what you ask at this point she may not understand. Also when you do it on the ground make sure to flex both sides not just the left.

When she is doing really well and you mount if she stands well don't be shy to get off a few times also. The more she stands after you get on the better.

[tbtrainer]

Is she by any chance an OTTB? If she is, horses at the track are not used to being mounted from the ground or mounting block...but anyway, to try and retrain...

If your in an arena, put her in the corner, nose to the rail, right side along the wall and have a holder to help you. Big rewards for when she does stand still, then aske her to turn, or back a few steps, just dont overdue it and stand for too long in the beginning.

[PUtNEE]

I don't like saying 'this works every time' because it's like saying 'my horse doesn't kick' BUT

this works...

Lead her up to the mounting block from a small distance away...enough distance so you can bring her at it straight.

Keep her on your right, slow a little before you get there. (she should slow down and keep her distance from you - if not, go back to leading 101 and establish your 'bubble')

As you get to the block, step up but also look down at the ground where you want the front feet to stop (you can draw a line in the sand if it helps!!)

Use your rope/reins to bring her up to that line. Her left stirrup should be easily within your reach when she stops.

If she blows past you, or even goes an inch past you - shoo her back HARD and fast. Let her know she crossed your boundary. It helps if you can stay on the block as you do this, but if not - don't hesitate to jump down and shoo. This doesn't have to be pretty or graceful She just has to know she messed up BIG time!

Lead her back up and don't be surprised if she hesitates, just keep pressure on the reins, a kiss or whatever to back up the pressure until she steps her front feet up to the line.

DON'T try to get on, just relax and wait for her to look a little calmer - not offering to move. If at any time she tries to move past your line send her back fast.

Once she looks that bit calmer/breathes/softens her eyes/mouth or whatever you see to indicate she's calmer then step off the block and walk on, no hesitation.

Repeat as many times as it's necessary. You may have to do a lot of 'relax' and walk away, but don't wait too long to bring her back and expect her to be better and better each time. Then start putting your foot in, waiting for calm, taking your foot out and repeat. Break it down to steps she can handle and the result will be she'll stand still.

Of course it could be that she has a physical or mental issue with the riding and this is why she won't let you mount!!! Get her checked out.

Good luck

[Tallboots]

Is she by any chance an OTTB? If she is, horses at the track are not used to being mounted from the ground or mounting block...but anyway, to try and retrain...

She's not an OTTB. She has TB in her, but she is also QH, and pinto.

Thanks everyone for the advice. But, she has come around.. all the sudden, for no apparent reason.

Yesterday she let me use the mounting block and get on, my third try, then walked away calmly.

Mares.. :P

[Just Bitten]

I would deffinalty check out back pain and any other soreness.

I had a gelding like that but i dont use mounting blocks.alot of ppl look down on it here and makes you look soft.I dont see anything wrong with it and probally is better on the horses back but i want to be able to mount any time anywhere...

What i did with the gelding was use some split riens.the moment he moved i started slapin his butt with the riens and making him go around and around very fast.I would stop,pat him,then try again.He moved i would do the same thing.I did this both sides and eventually he realized if he moved it meant work and i was able to mount him.You could prob do the same thing with a lunge line.

[swansonspaints]

I like redhorseridge idea a lot. work on that until all they want to do is follow you around like pups and will stand still for sacking. Plus, my mare can get ancy prior to being ridden, and what helps her tremendously is working from the ground on lateral flexions, walking over poles, backing straight through poles (probably will help you a lot to keep her straight when mounting) and moving her hips around and then her shoulders - all from the ground while she is saddled and bridled. I'm real calm and patient and it just relaxes her. Then when I mount she is calm. I really feel it is important that they stand to be mounted, so I would spend a lot of time getting her to stand still in many circumstances. Putting my mare between poles on the ground really helped her to carefully listen to me on where I wanted her to put her feet. Now it is important to her not to move all over the place even outside of the poles. It helped her to understand my cues. Good luck and don't let this go! She is nervous and anxious about something. After you get on you might want to let walk in small circles until she calms and then eventually, you can work on getting her to stand still after mounting. Standing still is actually a higher-level training skill for our high-strung partners and not a basic skill.

[Tallboots]

Thanks everyone.. but she's fine now.

I'll keep your ideas in mind if she decides its not okay again. xD

[swansonspaints]

isn't that funny! I wonder why she is fine now? What changed?