Re: Won't stand for mounting

["Tina Rushing" <tinarushing@coastside.net>]

Cheek him up - that is, grab the headstall (and halter if present) at the cheek with your left hand and swing up.  Be aware of his movements while you do this.  Keep you hand still and relaxed unless he moves, then use correction at a reasonable rate and release immediately (don't let go, just release pressure on the headstall) the instant that he responds. 

 

I don't let go of the bridle until my butt is in the saddle, after that my right hand is ready to correct movement with the reins.  Our practice is to stand until I say 'go'.  My horse waits for the 'go' cue but if the environment is exciting (like the start of a ride) the waiting period might only be a moment.  I'd suggest you practice this consistently in a quiet setting.  By the time you need this at a ride you will both be skilled.  

 

It is impossible cheek up unless you begin shoulder-to-shoulder, which is a good idea anyway.  I see a lot of riders stand behind the shoulder, or facing the saddle when they mount.  Not sure how they are able to mount like this without the saddle sliding off. 

 

Once upon a time my 3 year old filly would buck to keep me from mounting.  She is a horse of some temper.  Mounting was a rodeo event until a friend reminded me of this technique - a cowboy trick from our kid-hood that I had forgotten (I forgot the trick, not our childhood).  This horse is 7 now and seems to have forgotten her militant mounting days.  I guess I could go back to the conventional method now, but I am so habituated that it feels awkward to get up any other way. 

 

This is probably conflicts with 'natural' training - my apologies to Mr. Parelli ;-}  and his disciples. 

Tina Rushing

El Granada, CA 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jessica Spoone <lady_selene@hotmail.com>
To: endurance lovers <endurancelovers@yahoogroups.com>; ridecamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2001 7:25 AM
Subject: RC: Won't stand for mounting

Well Casino is home and I've been riding him for the past few weeks. He's doing really well but he's gotten into the habit of either trying to walk off or swinging his butt away from me when I mount. I always correct him and put him back where I wanted him to stand but he is getting worse about it. When he got home he would stand fine so I know its something I'm doing or not doing. I'm not sure what to do to stop this problem so I hope ya'll can throw me a few suggesstions. At the rate he's going if I have to dismount on a trail I'll be walking home. Oh, he will stand perfectly until he sees me put my foot in the stirrup then he starts moving and I start hopping hehe.

Jess + Casino