Ask The Trainer

How do I get my horse to stop moving when I am getting on?

Most horses that walk off when we get on do so because they have been allowed to. If this is the case, we must change the way we get on and be totally consistent in correcting any movement when we are mounting.

When I get on my horse I will first just stand beside them and make sure they are settled. Next I will shorten my left rein and give a little extra slack in the right rein. I do this so I can put my horse into a small circle around me if they do walk off before I ask them to. I will also take a handful of mane in my left hand. Then I put my foot in the stirrup and prepare to mount. If my horse moves now I will keep my foot in the stirrup, put my horse in a small circle around me and wait for her to stop. I should be able to pivot on my foot that is on the ground or hop slightly to keep my balance. I will not step up into the saddle until my horse is again standing still. When she gets stopped I will step up but instead of swinging my leg over the saddle I will lean over the saddle and stand in one stirrup. If she moves now again I will go no farther but rather put her into a small circle until she stops. As soon as she does stop I will swing my leg over and sit down. If she moves I will stop her and back her up a few steps. I will do this every time she makes any forward motion.

Now that I am sitting in the saddle, I will not just walk off. I will get comfortable and move around a little to let her know that I can move and it does not mean walk off. When I am finally ready to move her, I will not walk forward. I will move to the left or to the right or backwards, any direction but forward. Once she has moved is a direction other than just walking straight, I will ask her to move forward and start my ride. I will change the direction I walk off in every time we start moving. I do not initially move forward so she will not start to anticipate that I want her to move. If she never knows which way, I want her to go she will learn to wait for my cue. I also spend a lot of time just sitting on my horse not going anywhere.

This is not a quick fix but it does work if you are consistent. How long it takes your horse to stop walking off on you depends on you

Will Clinging 2004 (c)

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