[equiniphile]

My gelding always backs up when I try to mount him bareback. I approach him from the left, holding the reins over his neck, and when I put my hands on him to mount, he backs up so I can't mount. All the training videos are focused on keeping your horse from walking forward when you're trying to mount, and I have the opposite problem. What should I do?

 

[Galaxy3230]

I would try the same thing they tell you to do if you horse moves off forward. Basically, if he wants to move make him move. As soon as he backs up send him around in a small circle. Then tell him to stand and praise him. Try to get on again, and if he moves repeat above steps. Does he stand still when he is tacked up? If he does then I would double check that you are not climbing onto his back in a way that would be uncomfortable for him. Hope this helps.

 

[equiniphile]

I have him in cross ties when I tack him up, and he stands still. I doubt he would stand still without cross ties though. I usually get a leg up if I'm riding bareback, and sit down gently, so I doubt it would be uncomfortable for him....I'm not sure what his mental process is when he's backing up so I don't know why he's not listening or how to correct it. I can try walking him in circles. I've also heard trailer loading tips, like if your horse turns away from the trailer, get him moving and make him work hard in circles and push his hindquarters in and out and stuff. I wonder if the same concept would work here?

 

[Kayty]

If he wants to go backwards, RUN him backwards, walking a little circle won't do much because he's not trying to go in a circle. I've I horse the whole length of a full sized dressage arena and back again because he would back up when I tried to mount. He didn't do it ever again,
.
Get in his face, shake the lead at him and make him go backwards FAST not just dawdling backwards that's not work, you want backwards to be **** uncomfortable!

 

[Crimsonhorse01]

If he wants to go backwards, RUN him backwards, walking a little circle won't do much because he's not trying to go in a circle. I've I horse the whole length of a full sized dressage arena and back again because he would back up when I tried to mount. He didn't do it ever again,
.
Get in his face, shake the lead at him and make him go backwards FAST not just dawdling backwards that's not work, you want backwards to be **** uncomfortable!

Great advice.

 

[Kayty]

Oops I mean "I've RUN a horse backwards the whole length...."

 

[Lovehorsesandrunning]

yea sage, he does have an issue with that lol but its only the first person. if you riode double bareback he doesnt move for the second person getting on

 

[equiniphile]

yea sage, he does have an issue with that lol but its only the first person. if you riode double bareback he doesnt move for the second person getting on

That's cuz he knows I'm boss when I'm in the saddle

 

[equiniphile]

If he wants to go backwards, RUN him backwards, walking a little circle won't do much because he's not trying to go in a circle. I've I horse the whole length of a full sized dressage arena and back again because he would back up when I tried to mount. He didn't do it ever again,
.
Get in his face, shake the lead at him and make him go backwards FAST not just dawdling backwards that's not work, you want backwards to be **** uncomfortable!

that makes sense....i'll try that. Will it make him NOT back up when I ask him to back up, though?