Mounting your horse should be a smooth and controlled process, not a chaotic scramble. If your horse tends to move off the instant you put your foot in the stirrup, leaving you hanging or chasing after him, it’s a common yet critical issue that needs addressing. This behavior, often stemming from a lack of consistent training and clear leadership, can be dangerous and undermine your control over the horse. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can teach your horse to stand patiently and calmly while you mount.
Understanding the Root Cause of the Behavior
Many horses simply haven’t been taught or consistently required to stand still. As flight animals, horses are naturally impulsive when it comes to movement. True control over a horse involves managing both their forward motion and their ability to stand still, a skill that requires strong leadership and consistent training. For young horses, establishing good ground manners, including standing still on command, is foundational. Experienced trainers prioritize groundwork to gain control over a horse’s feet before even starting them under saddle, ensuring they learn to wait for a cue before moving.
Older horses that exhibit this mounting issue may have been unintentionally trained into it through a process often called “anti-training.” This typically occurs when riders inadvertently allow or condone small, unauthorized movements, which gradually escalate. An eager rider who mounts and immediately asks the horse to move can lead the horse to associate the act of mounting with moving off. When riders fail to correct these impulsive actions, rationalizing it as “I was going to ask him to walk anyway,” they inadvertently signal to the horse that it’s in charge, becoming the leader. This can lead to the horse initiating movement even before a foot is in the stirrup, expecting to move off as a matter of course.
Steps to Retrain Your Horse for Stationary Mounting
The solution to a horse that won’t stand for mounting begins with assessing your horse’s overall ground manners and respect for your authority. Does your horse respect your personal space, lead politely, and stop and go at your cues? Does he stand patiently for the veterinarian or farrier? If your horse doesn’t consistently demonstrate respect and obedience on the ground, you’ll need to focus on groundwork to establish this essential connection and control over his feet. Resources like my website offer extensive information and training DVDs on groundwork, horse behavior, and leadership techniques, available at Shopping.JulieGoodnight.com.
I emphasize teaching my horses that they cannot move a single step without my explicit authorization. This “stand-like-a-statue” exercise is practiced frequently, especially in situations where the horse might be tempted to move, such as when other horses are returning to the barn. These exercises are detailed on my website and in my DVD, “Lead Line Leadership.”
Once your horse is reliably obedient and well-mannered on the ground, you can begin retraining him to stand still for mounting. This requires acknowledging that your previous methods haven’t worked and committing to being the consistent leader. Impatience often contributes to this problem, so it’s crucial to adopt the habit of waiting for a cue before moving off. If your horse walks off as you mount, it’s an unauthorized action that must be met with a swift correction. Gently gather the reins, back him up, and clearly say “whoa.” Insist that he stands still until you cue him, and only cue him when he is completely stationary.
If your horse is moving before you even get your foot in the stirrup, a specific exercise can help change this association. This involves making the correct behavior easy and the incorrect behavior difficult. This exercise demands precise timing and consistent reinforcement.
Prepare your horse with his usual riding gear, securing the reins to the saddle. Attach a 25-foot longe line to the left bit ring. Approach your horse slowly, as if to mount. Move deliberately so your corrections are precisely timed. Keep the reins and longe line loose, and do not initially try to prevent the horse from moving off. Allow him to make the decision to move; this exercise will prompt him to reconsider that choice.
As you go through the motions of mounting, your horse will likely start to move. Concentrate intently to identify the exact moment he moves without authorization. At that precise instant, step back (well clear of any potential kick) and send him out on a longe circle at a trot. Make him trot long and hard until he is eager for a “whoa” cue. Then, ask him to stop and repeat the process, approaching slowly to mount again.
Each time he walks off without your permission, longe him until he is motivated to avoid that outcome. A training flag or whip can help maintain a safe distance and encourage action.
Conversely, look for opportunities to reward him each time you restart the mounting process. As you move slowly, if he achieves a milestone—such as standing still when you place your foot in the stirrup—reward him by turning and walking away, leaving him in peace for a moment. While he is holding still, praise him and reassure him he’s a good horse. When he makes the wrong move, implement the corrective action.
As he begins to understand that you are asking for something simple, you can progress further in the mounting process until you are seated on his back with him remaining still. Once you swing your leg over his back, your hands should guide his movements. When he stands patiently for mounting, reward him by dismounting immediately. Repeat this several times during each training session so he clearly understands the expectation.
With good timing, it should only take a few repetitions for your horse to associate walking off with hard work and standing still with ease. If you don’t see progress after 6-8 circling episodes, it may indicate a need for professional assistance due to challenges with timing and pressure release.
Through consistent repetition, excellent timing, and firm enforcement, your horse will soon learn to stand like a statue for mounting. For comprehensive guidance on gaining control over your horse and precise cueing, visit TV.JulieGoodnight.com.
