abcd
Newbie
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Post by abcd on Mar 9, 2012 19:38:46 GMT
When I go to get on my pony he keeps following me!?  I walk over towards the saddle area (telling him to stand) but he then follows me... Today we went round in about 5 circles before I managed to get on... Any advice? Or anybody having/ had the same problem?  |
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Post by brookviewequine on Mar 9, 2012 20:01:11 GMT
its a very common problem, easily rectified but so hard to explain. before you get on, from the left side put some pressure on his left rein making his head bend round towards the stirrup. he will, obviously start to spin. he is now looking for an answer in his head to stop you from putting pressure on the rein. his answer is obviously to spin. we need to make him look for another answer..... the correct one. which is to stop moving his feet. As soon as he decides to stop moving, and only when he is completly stationary do you release the pressure. The more often you do this, the quicker he will come up with the answer we want. which is to stop moving his feet. ultimately to start with you can mount with his head bent. once you are mounted you can then release the rein.
remember, it takes time and patience and watch your feet dont get stepped on
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abcd
Newbie
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Post by abcd on Mar 9, 2012 20:06:34 GMT
oh ok, I will try this tomorrow! thank you for your answer!  |
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Post by brookviewequine on Mar 9, 2012 20:13:27 GMT
let us know how you get on |
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Post by ccragg on Mar 9, 2012 20:40:29 GMT
This is really helpful, my young boy has started to do the same so I will try this out:D
Thanks x
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Post by brookviewequine on Mar 9, 2012 20:47:25 GMT
it may take a few sessions, first time is a concept, then improve each time.
you ve just got to be patient.
remember, success is only ever just around the corner
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Post by starsandstripes on Mar 9, 2012 21:31:13 GMT
I had one in for schooling that had the same problem - I did exactly what brookviewequine said and it worked, but patients is the key. It shouldn't take him long before he figures out what you are asking of him |
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Mar 11, 2012 8:44:40 GMT
I use a slightly different system but relying on the same principle - not my idea but a very old one. I started doing it because I haven't been able to get on from the ground for years and years, and so mine need to stand rock still while I clamber up the nearest fence, fallen tree or whatever. I would use it anyway as I'd prefer to get on a young one from a mounting block anyway to start with - or most of the time anyway to protect the back.
Position horse where you want it to stand. Start climbing up fence. If horse moves, stop him, get down again and replace him exactly where he was before, moving him back if he moved forward etc, ie not turning circles. Keep on doing this until he does stand still, get on and praise mightily! The same trainer also said never let them move straight off, but require them to stand for a few minutes while you fiddle with gloves, alter stirrups or something, and only move off when asked.
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Post by ashleigh19 on Mar 14, 2012 22:55:14 GMT
Sarahp I agree completely with your above comment, I always use a mounting block and she never stands first time, but I just get down move her over back into position and try again, she gives up in the end. i put a slight pressure on the outside reinso she cant spin around me. they are funny things, never make their life easy haha
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Post by workingcob on Mar 15, 2012 12:37:44 GMT
Agree with sarahp's advice - they must learn to stand and even the slightest movement needs to be corrected quietly and repeatedly until they do stand still.
We have one who got very anxious about the mounting block - he was/is slightly cold backed and tense, having been roughly greatly while being backed (elsewhere!) and so associated the mounting block with old anxieties. We first just got him to stand quietly by the block, then walked him away and brought him back to stand again, and repeated this until he stopped tensing himself at the sight/proximity of the block. We then repeated the process with someone stepping up onto the block and then off again, until he learned to relax while the impromptu step session was in progress! We didn't try getting on until he was totally relaxed with me standing on the block and fiddling with his saddle etc. he was also expected to stand once I was mounted, not move straight off.
It does sometimes help to put a couple of cones adjacent to the block, to aid positioning - one of the jumping horses we had was very cute about stepping sideways just out of reach of the mounting block and the cones stopped this trick immediately!
Would also add, you need to be sure he doesnt have a back issue - sometimes, horses can be fidgety/difficult to mount because they feel discomfort when you get on
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