HELP FOR HORSE RIDERS

HELP WITH YOUR HORSE

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For the horse to stand still for mounting, he needs either training or re-training.   If he was good before, but his behaviour has deteriorated, he should come back to it quite quickly.  If he has never been trained to stand still for mounting, the process may  take a little longer.

The essence of the training is that the horse is standing still of his own free will.  He should NOT be restrained on the reins, as this only sets up a confrontation or fight situation.

	Stage 1.  Get the horse standing still where you want him.  Facing up to a gate or fence can be helpful and/or facing a direction he doesn't want to go.
	Stage 2.  When he is still, place yourself in the mounting position.  Wait a moment before doing anything.
	Stage 3.  As long as he stays still, place your foot in the stirrup.
	Stage 3a.  If he moves, take your foot out of the stirrup, get the horse standing still and start again.
	Stage 4.  When you can put your foot in the stirrup without the horse moving, start putting weight on the stirrup.
	Stage 4a.  If he moves, come back down, settle the horse and start again.
	Stage 5.  When you can put weight on the stirrup, without the horse moving, you can go for the full lift - but if he moves, get down, settle the horse and start again.
	Stage 6.  When you can put your full weight on the stirrup and lift yourself up, without the horse moving, then you can go for the full mount. Give much praise and ask the horse to stand for a moment, before continuing with whatever you want to do.