How do I get my horse to stand still to mount?

If we find ourselves asking this question, we need to realize that it is not really the correct question to ask. Some other questions would be “why isn’t he standing still to be mounted?” Is he scared? Does he not understand? Is it just a habit from us not helping him understand anything different? Is he sore? Does the saddle fit? And finally, does my approach fit the horse so that he is growing in true acceptance and understanding so that he can be a willing partner?

The answer of the question as to what to do in the moment when he’s not standing to be mounted has much to do with what his motivations are for his behavior. Fear requires a different approach than practiced evasion. But the principles are the same – make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult, build confidence and willingness by rewarding the slightest try and take the time it takes.

In some ways, mounting is similar to trailer loading as it’s a continuation of our conversation started in our basic groundwork and a test of the thoroughness of that communication. In a nutshell, if we’re not asking that horse to move, then he shouldn’t be. BUT, if he’s moving then we may need to work with that because that is where his mind is. We want him to stand still so we must help him to think about standing still. Where the mind of the horse goes, the horse goes. This is so foundational to effectively communicating anything to our horses.

It is often useful to work on this from a mounting block or fence rail. This not only gives us a place to mount from (whether it’s necessary or not) but also helps us gauge their acceptance of certain riding elements like having us above their eye level or behind or above them in a position that can make them feel vulnerable. It is helpful too in giving us a point of reference for exactly WHERE we want them to park up. In other words, we don’t just want them to stand still, but to actually park up at a place – there is a destination.

This is important because as you begin to work with their movement, you will be using some amount of pressure (not necessarily physical) to send them around and back and forth, changing directions, maybe trotting, etc. But the place of release and rest is in nearing that place where you want them to park. As they begin to position themselves to stand there, you will let them find release. Maybe they can’t stand for very long, but it’s important that they gain a sense of relief if they make a change. In other words, it’s important that we recognize and reward that change.

It’s like that game we used to play when we were kids – Hotter & Colder. Where you get someone to find something by telling them if they’re getting hotter when they’re getting closer to it or colder when they’re moving further away. You set it up just the same with your pressure and release, letting the horse know when they’re getting warmer by letting off any pressure. Maybe they’ll stand and maybe they won’t – it’s their choice. If they move off again, they’re getting colder, the pressure comes back on. Maybe your groundwork needs to take on a sense of intensity – moving them around, changing directions with the combination turn (hindquarters and the forequarters), and trotting them off. So, then there can be contrast when you ease off and ask them to find that place alongside the rail or mounting block.

Again, this may depend on their motivation – in general a timid horse that’s scared of what’s going on doesn’t need the extra intensity. But there will be contrast nonetheless and it is key. We need to be constantly thinking “right thing: easy; wrong thing: hard”. This is also called setting them up and letting them find it. Or like I said before, getting him to think about doing what we’d like him to.

Often times, we find ourselves working on this when we probably had plans that had more to do with riding. Perhaps we’ve glossed over this issue for a long time. It’s a classic human trait to be more focused on getting a task done and not always paying attention to the state of the horse’s mind and emotions. Ideally, it’s something we know needs addressed and we will take the time to work on it without any other agenda. At any rate, working with horses successfully requires flexibility and it’s best to be able to take the time it takes in the moment.

As you get him to willingly park up near the rail or block, don’t get in a hurry to get straight on. You may not get on at all. Remember, you’ve got nowhere to go and all day to get there. If he’s been kinda worried about the process, it may take a few minutes of him just standing there and you petting on him (or not), for him to let down and process the release. That can be the best thing at that point, where you didn’t even get on. He may not be ready for that, if he’s one of the nervous ones that’s not really accepting of the elements of riding (us being above him and on both sides at the same time while moving and affecting his balance; I talk about this quite a bit in my Colt Starting series in my Online Video Library).

Remember, the goal in most of these situations is to help the horse change his mind about the process, so that it gets better and stays better. He gets easier to mount because he knows how to think “stand still” and is ok with being mounted and what he knows will follow. The idea in that moment is truly that you’re not asking him to move, so he’s not moving – and he’s ok with that.

If you’re listening to this and thinking “I need to up my game with groundwork” so as to be effective in situations like this – you’re not alone! Groundwork is not just for colt starting or (sometimes) for those folks who prefer not to ride – it is truly a multi-faceted dynamic that can help transform your equine partnership. If you’re looking for clear, thorough instruction on groundwork and much, much more, make sure you check out our Online Video Library at truewesthorsemanship.com

Keep a leg on each side and your mind in the middle – we’ll catch ya down the road.