Standing to Mount

[ButtermilkRanger]

The other thread is getting long, so I thought I'd start a new thread, though this is along the lines of the original post. How do those of you who train your own horses get yours to stand perfectly still while mounting. I've got my own opinions, most of which are useless, but I want to hear from y'all.

[Longrope]

Re: Standing to Mount

Larry, I believe that this is a "rider" problem more than a "horse" problem. Horses walk off because the rider lets them. It's an easy thing for anyone, myself included, to do. You get so focused on what you need to be doing horseback, that the horse starts moving off while you mount. A little at first, then a few more steps, then the rider sees that he has a problem.

I have found that it's so much easier to not let it happen to begin with.

The best way I have found, is to treat every horse I get on, like he was a green-broke colt. I shorten the near side rein slightly, turning his head a bit to the left, the reins are in my left hand which rests on the horses neck. My right hand grabs the fork (pommel) of the saddle. I might add that I face forward, and stand very close to the horse. You have to twist your foot a bit to get it in the stirrup, and swing into the saddle quickly and lightly. When you are settled, ask the horse to move off. Notice that while mounting this way, the rider has complete control off his horse from standing to seated.

This is a really good thing to discuss, Larry

[Outrider]

Re: Standing to Mount

Well for my part , Casey just took the words right out of my mouth as I use the same technique generally.
When I come across one that already has developed the habit, I usaully work them a good bit on the ground first making him stand still, and if he steps off , or tries to, I bring him right back to the exact same spot over and over again until he stands still, at that time I might give him a treat or just a pat on the neck depending on the horse. If he stands but then as soon as you make a move to put your foot in the stirrup, which is often the case, then I stop and circle him from the ground everytime , consistenty, for as many times as it takes until he stands still and only moves after I am settled in the saddle and cue him to go.
With a really hard case, I like to do all of the above only in a fence corner or the like so he physically cannot move, then I reward him as above for everytime he does what I expect of him. With a down right ill mannered /rude horse, I sometimes will ask for someone to hold him the first lessons/re-schooling sessions but that , for my tastes is an absolute last resort as I am more often than not working one alone.
I have, at times, even hobbled a hard case and did nothing for a dozen or so lessons but make him stand , mount when he does, and then dismount over and over while hobbled.
I find it can take time, or not , depending on the particular horses disposition/attitude, and as with all things equine training, being consistent and PATIENT is the key. Lose patience just once and you can undo everything and be right back to square one. I never, ever , get in a hurry when training or re-training any horse. That can come later after he/she is well in hand and can be relied upon.

I might add that any re schooling or initial training I do in this sport of thing, I almost always do in either a ring snaffle or , being of western blood, in a bosal. And always with the "I am the herd boss you must respect me" demeanor.

This works for me more often than not. So that is my humble take on it. Others may have a different way and I would be interested in hearing those myself.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Standing to Mount

I agree that it's always more of a rider problem than a horse problem. I had an old mare that I rode for 20 years and I never really did break her. She was spoiled when I got her and I tried several techniques, but none worked for any duration. But she did respect force, so I got to where when I started to mount, I'd pick up a big stick and whisper sweet nothings in her ear like "I'm going to kill you if you move" and it seemed to work every time.

At least the techniques mentioned here can be done in more polite company. I think the biggest problem I've found with a horse that's already sour is that they'll stand even when I put my foot in the stirrup, but start to move off as I'm mounting in that short span of seconds when I have the least amount of control.

[Outrider]

Re: Standing to Mount

Larry, I hear ya and that is when I will get off every time and start from square one especially a rank horse, in such a way that they cannot move at all. There is such a place everywhere even if you have to invent it.
No " polite" operation here Sir. Just me alone and knowing I have to survive unhurt everytime I get on one or bad things are headed my way.
If they move before you are ready for them to, get off and drill it into them everytime what you expect.....its really the only way that I know of that works with any horse in my experience anyway.

I find there is no real hurry other than what is in our own heads. If there is, then do the best you might as "training" is not what is needed anyhow in that circumstance. just my opinion afterall.

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Standing to Mount

Larry, I had one pretty bad about that too. One of the things Ray had us do was to step into the stirrup and start to mount, when our weight came off the ground if the horse moved we'd step back down pulling the horse up short, being easy on the mouth. It only took a half dozen times and most of the horses got the idea... "If I go anywhere, I'm not going anywhere." It works pretty well if they are fresh, one that's been at it awhile might take more time. I dang near got flattened by a 400lb cavalryman at West Point Ms one year do to his inability to keep his horse from moving while mounting then his lack of control immediately afterward. It also helps if the horse isn't herd sour and comfortable with being with just you... Z

[Mark Choate]

Re: Standing to Mount

Good topic, Larry.

This has got to be one of the common problems that troopers have. Nothing sours the impact of a good units overall mounted impression than to have everyone standing to horse in proper form and then to command to “prepare to mount,” the one's and three's move forward, then “mount” only to have half of the unit's horses wander off while the men are mounting! Looks horrible!!

Casey's advice was sound as every solution that I have used or heard usually involved some manner of angled tension on the horse with the head turned slightly. The challenge is that the horse will learn bad habits if we allow it and then you have to “retrain” them out of it. I agree with the mounting lightly as it is least disruptive and if the horse is tending to move forward you can roll your left hand (with the reins) slightly which increases the tension in the mouth thus reminding him not to move. This rolling is a subtle action and can immediately be backed of if he starts to back. This is all brief, of course as you are straitening up and into the saddle all the while.

About 10 years ago, at one of our instructional drills, Cpl Ronnie Tucker gave an excellent training session on this. He also had a device that has been used for many years, that he got from the Mennonites that could be placed on the horse. It was a simple device with a couple of small pulleys and it did the same thing that the tension above does, but with more stability and firmness. He took a couple of horses that had developed bad habits and in just minutes had them standing just as still as a statue!

Mark

[Outrider]

Re: Standing to Mount

I am a little confused. Are we talking solutions for the problem THEN or now or just generally?
I ask because I doubt very much anything above would apply then, during a war. I reckon you did the best you could until your unit got where it could stay static long enough to take a stab at uniformity. yes?
I know I am mostly dealing with horses not my own that I am paid to deal with. Thats is a whole different ballgame entirely.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Standing to Mount

I have had these difficulties when trying to mount, and what I do is when the horse starts to walk off, I get both feet on the ground and walk the horse backward. A horse does't do this naturally, so move them backwards 15 to 20 feet and try to mount again. Within 3or 4 trys, the horse gets the idea. This tecnique is the same line of training as the guy on the origanal thread used when his horse pulls it's foot away , so the guy made the horse do laps in the round pen. I also beleive that the tightened rein to the left is always the way to mount any horse. And as we all know...the more you ride the better the horse ,and you, get . plm

[Mark Choate]

Re: Standing to Mount

Paddy,

Based on Larry's original question, "How do those of you who train your own horses get yours to stand perfectly still while mounting". I took it to be how do we deal with the problem now. That having been said, many, if not most of the suggestions for solutions would apply then or now.

Mark

[malachi]

Re: Standing to Mount

I agree with the above post. My mare would walk off when she felt my weight in the near stirrup. The instant she moved forward, I would hop down and back her up several steps with the reins over the seat. I did this everytime she moved without exception, and she learned quickly which was less work for her. I still have to do it sometimes however if it has been a protracted time since our last ride. We had a hellish summer down here and even the nights were so hot we just couldn't ride. If she is ridden daily though, it seems to work for her.
John G Tucker

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Standing to Mount

This is one of two things that made me get the last dirt eating session. I will try that this week with both of my ole boys . I may need clarification.

I tried tying them to a post or trailer and get on and off of them several times . I think you do have to be consistent with it every time or they will go back to it. It always seems to happen when your in a hurry too.

[Outrider]

Re: Standing to Mount

Well as Casey stated, it is a very easy thing to do and thus teach them to do. I am often guilty myself especially since I use the horses so much to repair fences and what not. I get in a hurry sometimes and say to myself "well I'll catch it next time"... Some of the best horsemen I have ever known could get real lazy about it and its understandable. Working cowboys such as Casey and others I have known dont always have the time and often have more pressing things to worry about at the moment.
I do think consistency is the key though no matter what "technique" one uses or what the disposition of the horse is. I think slow and over time is the best way to permanently fix any vice but I also realize that isnt always practicle and not everyone has the time to school horses in that way.
Thats just my way though and as we all know there are many ways to kill a rat.
I enjoy hearing others opinions on things like this.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Standing to Mount

I think that many of us need to be more consistent. For example, at a drill, we might start to mount and the horse moves forward. Yet, if everyone else is mounted, we are prone to "just mount" as to not hold up the group by moving the horse and starting over. No one wants to be the last guy in the saddle.

Mark Choate: This might be a great exercise at CoI. If a trooper's horse starts to move during the mounting process, allow him time to reposition the horse and start over. Maybe 10-15 minutes of rehearsing the "stand top horse" - "mount" sequence. I remember that the Critters used to do this at drill, and we soon cured any horses from moving during the mounting sequence - 'cept maybe Guy's ;-)

[Mark Choate]

Re: Standing to Mount

Mike,

Already on the docket, but good to see that great minds work alike. There will be a portion early on (after camp is established and before we do anything of size, where the two companies will be sent to opposite ends of the site to break down into platoons and the platoon sgts will work on these very basics ad nauseum. Also, every time we mount up (whether by platoon, company or battalion) it will begin by standing to horse, etc. etc. It is my hope that by the end of this, it will look as though we have done this before. :sarcastic

Seriously, the crisp and sharp execution of drill components (even the basics) are often times neglected, especially in a hobby where folks only get together once in a blue moon. Things like proper turns, the difference in a platoon or company front turn and a wheel, etc. I can assure you that they will not be neglected the weekend of the COI.

I appreciate you mentioning this Mike!

Mark