susan in greece
Olympic Poster
"you can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf" Joseph Goldstein
Posts: 556
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Post by susan in greece on Dec 21, 2005 17:40:20 GMT 1
gina has always fidgetted for mounting and i've never succeeded in getting her to stand next to anything for me to get on. but i've got quite nimble and i've kind of let it go. but now, i've ordered a treeless and things have to be sorted out.
today tried giving treats whilst standing over her on a wall but she just gets too excited when foods involved so i don't think thats the way to go.
have read kelly's section on mounting and can do all the foundation exercises re moving feet.
has anyone else tackled this problem or am i the only one on here that mounts from the ground on a fidgety horse.
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Post by horselady on Dec 21, 2005 18:03:35 GMT 1
I had a fidgety mare whom done this, so I went from the book, cannot remember whether it was Kelly's or Monty's now, as hubby read it out to me.
I simply put the dually halter on, and when she moved, I asked her back on it, I started from the ground 1st, then to mounting, after a few days, she got the message, I also done this from both sides, it is easier if you have someone else with you at first, and praise horse when it doesn't move off.
I would knock the food off, as horses can get quite nippy for it, and like Monty says, what happens when the food runs out, a good lesson I learn't, so I wouldn't use it.(food)
My mare used to also move away from the mounting block, just when you got up on it, solved that one to now, and the fence, now out she will stand while I mount, I do try to find a fence or something to mount off though, as it is easier on the back, and I do have an extended stirrup gadget, which is usefull when I remember to take it with me, and fits into your pocket.
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Post by jill on Dec 21, 2005 18:15:51 GMT 1
Mark Rashid and Kathleen helped me on this one. Stand ON the mounting block, and beginning with a halter rather than a bridle, lead them up to the block one step at a time and pet them when they get where you want them to be. When they swing away/back off/ mess about etc push them back, click to them or do something to get them to move but quit the milli second they stop moving (put pressure on them and release as soon as they quit). You can progress to the bridle when they do it well with the halter.
Caspar was amazing - by the third time of asking you could see him deciding not to move because that got him the pressure he didn't want. The reason for standing on the block throughout is so that it becomes their responsibility to stand up to the block for you whenever you stand on it - the aim to be to make standing on the block/fence/tree stump etc the cue. Caspar isn't there quite yet!!
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susan in greece
Olympic Poster
"you can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf" Joseph Goldstein
Posts: 556
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Post by susan in greece on Dec 23, 2005 15:09:53 GMT 1
sandy and jil, thanks for your replies. i am going to start tomorrow and will let you know how you get on. basically you are talking about the same method afterall. i may enlist a friend to help at first but as the aim is to be able to mount alone i ideally need to work alone from the outset. what a luxury it would be to have a horse that stood still to mount!!
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Post by horselady on Dec 23, 2005 18:02:49 GMT 1
It is a luxury Susan, My mare drove me mad at first, but now so easy, and the stress you get yourself in to really isn't worth it, as you translate it to the horse.
Don't forget though, once you start . keep it up everyday until you get there, and when you do it is worth it, try and keep as relaxed as you can to, if you feel yourself getting fed up, sing to yourself, or count, but just do what you feel like doing, but don't overdo it, as horse will get bored to, keep sessions short, even if you do a couple of short sessions, it is better for both of you.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
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