Help me with some groundwork issues

[Lusoluv]

Actually, does your horse know what “whoa” means? I got a youngster a few months ago who was nicely W/T/C, but she would not stand by the mounting block. I looked up a lot of videos and then thought carefully. They say trailer loading problems are really a leading problem, so I put this into play with the mounting block. Horse wasn’t afraid of it, just didn’t want to stand still, so I spent the next 2 days saying “whoa” whenever I needed the mare to stop.

Take her out of her stall to the cross ties to groom, I’d say WHOA before clipping on the ties. Walked her into turnout paddock and said WHOA before turning her loose. On and on…with pats and occasionally a tiny treat.

Led her to the mounting block, said WHOA. As I turned the stirrup to my foot she slowly walked away, but I had hold of the reins. I asked her to keep walking and she did 3-4 circles around me (on the steps) and when she looked like she felt silly I said WHOA again. She stopped and I pet her. Tried to mount again and she was still. She was good for several seconds and I petted/praised like crazy. Took 3 days to be very trustworthy about it! She’s been good ever since.

[Beverley]

You’ve gotten some good tips. I will also suggest that you school the mounting block at the end of your ride. There is no more ‘what will the ride bring?’ anticipation, and the whole point of the exercise is focused not on ‘let me get on so we can ride,’ but simply on ‘stand still while I get on and off.’ And, when you achieve success, or at least progress, the reward for the horse’s try is, end of work for the day!

[kaitsmom]

Where were these helpful comments whemail I asked this same question? Lol. I finally got my guy over it by lunging him everytime he stepped away. Finally he was too tired to step away. Did this twice. Now I have to be very convincing when I am ready for him to move away from the block. Hahaha.