Getting on advice

[GillyMac93]

Hi , looking for advice on mounting on a difficult pony . She was brought back to work a year ago with the help of a friend . Since then I'm still unable to get on her without someone standing at her head . She's fourteen but was backed late and it really shows , trouble is I want to be able to take her places to expand her training but can't until we get this basic sorted. Friend says she gets on her no bother and pony only does it to me because she knows she can get away with not standing g because she has in the past . I totally understand this and have done lots of groundwork and bonding exercises to get her listening to me .friend says I'm not working her enough but I can only get someone to help get on once or twice a week . I'm literally spending two hours plus trying to get on but she doesn't give in she just gets more stubborn to the point she spinning and trying to bolt when my foot is in the stirrup .im sorry for the rambling just at the desperation stage as I now dread riding as I'm drained before I manage to find someone to help get on . Any advice greatly appreciated

Couple of easy things that you're probably already doing:

1. face her at the wall before you start so she can't go forward

1. Get on from a step so you don't waste time getting your leg over once you've got your left foot in the stirrup.

1. Don't be over kind. If she messes you around be firm with her and reprimand her. Make sure she knows who is boss or this could escalate into a dangerous situation if she starts spinning.

Thanks butkin ,will try making her stand at the step , she's just such a bugger and I hate getting on but I try not to let her no that . How would you deal with her when she moves away ?

My mounting steps are set up so the horse is facing a fence as you get on and a wall to the left, there's not really anywhere for them to go other than to the right away from the block but they can't really do that if you have your left rein shorter. Also, if possible have you mounting steps tall enough that you can get on without a stirrup - just lift your right leg over, I find it prevents the whole unbalanced moment of 'one foot in a stirrup on foot out' if the horse then rushes forwards as soon as the rider is on board.
If I was in your situation i'd try to find a way of making a similar set up. Then just walk along side her, up on the block and leg over - she should only need to stand for about 5seconds this way. If you still have problems perhaps try doing some lunging or groundwork for 10min first just to get the pony listening to you then try again. You could also pop a carrot in your pocket as a reward if she stands still and lets you get on.

The key is to never let them get away with it. Sometimes when you're on it is easy just to let them walk on but that isn't good enough. Start by having somebody with you to hold her when you get on. If she goes to walk away then both of you tell her loudly and firmly no and pull back on the reins. Don't let her move until your're ready. Practise tightening your girths etc before you move away.

Once she knows the drill you can then start doing this when you're alone.

If she is small you could of course try mounting her in the stable but this is a last resort and I'd try putting her into a situation where she can't walk forward (ie wall/fence) first.

My lad used to swing his bum out when I tried to get on when I first got him. As I used to hack out alone and very early I realised I had to get it sorted. This isn't what everyone would do, but it does work. Start this at a time when you're not even going to try and ride. All you're doing to start with is stand her at the mounting block. Get her into the right position. When she stands nicely, give her a small piece of carrot or horse nut and praise her. If she moves, say nothing just move her back and try again. keep at it until she stands perfectly. Then she gets a treat. I doubt it will be too long. Then, the nexttime when you have help stand her at the block with someone holding her and put one foot in the stirrup. Take the foot out, praise her and give her a bit of carrot. I missed this bit out as my lad is easier than yours sounds. All he needed was to twig that if he stood still, let me get on and fiddle about, he'd get a treat. Keep building it up, going back a step if you need to until you have her doing what you want. The other trick here is to make sure its you who gives her the treat. It doesn't work nearly as well if the person on the ground gives it to her. I know treating isn't what everyone would do, but it does work. I can now get on from anywhere and under pretty much any circumstances, e.g. a fun ride after a broken stirrup with horses galloping past. He stood like a rock next to a jump, I got on, he got his treat and off we pinged!