Safe mounting practices are crucial for any successful riding experience. Some riders skip over this area of their horse’s training and are okay with small movements or allowing their horse to walk away while mounting. However, this can present safety concerns as you can slip if your horse moves off too quickly. How can you teach your horse to stand still at the mounting block?
There are many ways to teach this skill, but one of the best ways to create a positive experience for the horse is with lots of treats and a gradual approach, such as the following.
- Bring your horse up to the right position at the mounting block and ask them to stand there, giving them treats while they do so
- Once your horse is comfortable standing there, climb the steps and see if they stand still with you on the block. Climb them a few times and praise and reward your horse. If they move, gently correct them and try again
- You can start mounting if they are relaxed with you on the mounting block. Swing a leg over, and once you are settled, give your horse treats and praise.
- Make sure your horse stands nicely until you ask them to go forward
Horses thrive on kind and gentle approaches to training because they are flight and prey animals. They need your trust and safety to perform well. Continue below to read more about training at the mounting block.
Teaching Your Horse To Stand At The Mounting Block
There is more than one approach used to teach horses to allow the rider to mount quietly. One common method employs the common training tactic of pressure and release. The horse realizes that moving away from the mounting block creates more pressure for them than standing still.
Position your horse at the mounting block and ask them to stand. If they start moving off, keep them moving by engaging in groundwork with them. Then, go back to the block and reward them with a treat for standing relaxed, and still. This teaches the horse that standing still means getting something they enjoy. With a calm horse, try and mount. If they move, repeat the first steps, but if they continue standing, give them plenty of praise and reward. Have them stand for a few minutes so they move away on your cue.
The second common approach to mounting is more gradual and less physical. It involves more positive reinforcement for achieving each step at the mounting block.
Take your horse to the block and ask them to stand. If they continue standing at the mounting block calmly, reward them with a treat and praise. If they move, ignore the unwanted behavior and try again. Once they are comfortable, see if they will stand with you moving up and down the mounting block. Reward them with treats and praise if they continue to stand quietly with you moving about. Then once they pass this part calmly, you can try mounting. Give treats and pats from the saddle if they stand still throughout the process. If the horse moves, ignore, reset, and try again.
Why Do Horses Move Away From The Mounting Block?
Horses move away from the mounting block because they have a negative association with it. This can be from poor training or discomfort. A more common reason is that the rider unintentionally teaches the horse to walk away. Pulling on the reins too much when mounting tells the horse to move. Added pressure can also come from shifting the saddle or squeezing the horse when mounted. Horses want to get away from pressure, so they do what they can to escape it.
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