So today I decided to teach Amber to stand still at a mounting block and to stand still when being mounted from the ground.
The mounting block bit was easy! Then things got more difficult and frustrating for both of us!
I started by teaching her to stand: essentially I want a horse who will stand, relaxed, without moving, until told otherwise. When she was able to stand still regardless of me walking around, waving my arms around, faffing with stirrups etc then I started with the mounting from the ground. But discovered that I could not do ANYTHING related to mounting without her moving off. I could not pick up the reins, nor hold the stirrup in an 'I'm about to mount' way without her moving off. I Figured her 'Irish Breakers Yard' upbringing has taught her that any of the movements that are preparing to mount, she interprets as an aid to start walking! I went round to the offside to explore that idea and she did not move off if I tried to mount from that side. So I think she was always mounted in motion, and never from the offside, so near side movements that signal mounting are an aid to her. And I kept correcting her over and over which was annoying her. Lots of tail swishing and harrumphing. As if to say 'WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? YOU WANT TO GO AND I AM GOING!!!'
In the end I had to break into down into miniscule steps. Stand still while I briefly touch the rein. Hurray, pat and release pressure (move away from her and leave her alone for a few seconds). Then lift the rein for a moment. Pat, release. Lift and hold the rein a fraction longer, pat/release. etc etc. Then the same with the stirrups. Then rein AND stirrups together. Then foot in stirrups. Then rein and foot in stirrups.
Well we got there....... ALMOST! She stood for all of that. So I decided to hop up and she walked off as I was halfway up!! But still a whole lot better.
Have also taught her to drop her head to be bridled. She is WAY too big to reach up.
Overall I think I have learnt that it is much easier to teach something completely new, than to unlearn an established behaviour. The mounting block was new so was not a problem. But she has learnt to walk off when being mounted and that is much harder to deal with. Reminds me why I like youngsters! But she is young enough and I really, really like her attitude. Once she finally understood, she was more than happy to just stand.
The mounting block bit was easy! Then things got more difficult and frustrating for both of us!
I started by teaching her to stand: essentially I want a horse who will stand, relaxed, without moving, until told otherwise. When she was able to stand still regardless of me walking around, waving my arms around, faffing with stirrups etc then I started with the mounting from the ground. But discovered that I could not do ANYTHING related to mounting without her moving off. I could not pick up the reins, nor hold the stirrup in an 'I'm about to mount' way without her moving off. I Figured her 'Irish Breakers Yard' upbringing has taught her that any of the movements that are preparing to mount, she interprets as an aid to start walking! I went round to the offside to explore that idea and she did not move off if I tried to mount from that side. So I think she was always mounted in motion, and never from the offside, so near side movements that signal mounting are an aid to her. And I kept correcting her over and over which was annoying her. Lots of tail swishing and harrumphing. As if to say 'WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? YOU WANT TO GO AND I AM GOING!!!'
In the end I had to break into down into miniscule steps. Stand still while I briefly touch the rein. Hurray, pat and release pressure (move away from her and leave her alone for a few seconds). Then lift the rein for a moment. Pat, release. Lift and hold the rein a fraction longer, pat/release. etc etc. Then the same with the stirrups. Then rein AND stirrups together. Then foot in stirrups. Then rein and foot in stirrups.
Well we got there....... ALMOST! She stood for all of that. So I decided to hop up and she walked off as I was halfway up!! But still a whole lot better.
Have also taught her to drop her head to be bridled. She is WAY too big to reach up.
Overall I think I have learnt that it is much easier to teach something completely new, than to unlearn an established behaviour. The mounting block was new so was not a problem. But she has learnt to walk off when being mounted and that is much harder to deal with. Reminds me why I like youngsters! But she is young enough and I really, really like her attitude. Once she finally understood, she was more than happy to just stand.