OTTB Mounting Problems
I also own an OTTB. When I first started working with him, he had no clue what a mounting block was. The first couple of times I mounted I had someone hold him - just for safety. I never had a problem getting him to stand near the block for me, but as soon as he felt any weight in the stirrup he would walk off. Thankfully no bucking or rearing or anything like that, but since I had back surgery 7 years ago, I really need the block and him walking off was definitely not going to work for me. It's important to understand that when being mounted on the track, they are always walking so this is just a habit they learned while training for racing! What I did was this, as soon as he would move I would get off the block and start working him in a very tight circle - after a few turns, I would lead him back and try again to get on. It didn't take long for him to learn that I wanted him to stand still. The idea is that you make it more "uncomfortable" for him to walk away than it is for him to stand still and let you mount! It is a Clinton Anderson technique, who is as you might know, a natural horsemanship trainer. I believe you should never use pain of any type to get your horse to cooperate!!!! My horse, Topper, still sometimes doesn't wait for me to get my right foot in the stirrup, but he NEVER walks off while I'm in the motion of getting on! This tight circling technique works for a lot of the basic ground work you should do with your horse long before you even consider mounting! If your horse learns to respect you on the ground, it is soooooo much easier to develop a good riding relationship! Hope this helps! Good luck!!!!
I also own an OTTB. When I first started working with him, he had no clue what a mounting block was. The first couple of times I mounted I had someone hold him - just for safety. I never had a problem getting him to stand near the block for me, but as soon as he felt any weight in the stirrup he would walk off. Thankfully no bucking or rearing or anything like that, but since I had back surgery 7 years ago, I really need the block and him walking off was definitely not going to work for me. It's important to understand that when being mounted on the track, they are always walking so this is just a habit they learned while training for racing! What I did was this, as soon as he would move I would get off the block and start working him in a very tight circle - after a few turns, I would lead him back and try again to get on. It didn't take long for him to learn that I wanted him to stand still. The idea is that you make it more "uncomfortable" for him to walk away than it is for him to stand still and let you mount! It is a Clinton Anderson technique, who is as you might know, a natural horsemanship trainer. I believe you should never use pain of any type to get your horse to cooperate!!!! My horse, Topper, still sometimes doesn't wait for me to get my right foot in the stirrup, but he NEVER walks off while I'm in the motion of getting on! This tight circling technique works for a lot of the basic ground work you should do with your horse long before you even consider mounting! If your horse learns to respect you on the ground, it is soooooo much easier to develop a good riding relationship! Hope this helps! Good luck!!!!
