Mounting Issues with Nervous Horse?

Charm: I don't think the issue is really about mounting. I think the mounting problem is the symptom, not the cause. To find the core issue, I would start at the beginning and work through her foundation until I found the "missing link" Despite "the lost years", she will likely tell you what the problem is when you get there. If her responses have been such that she reminds you that she is broke, you will probably be able to move through the foundation process relatively quickly. That said, it also sounds like this horse has been through some horrific experiences so you may uncover a lot more baggage as happens so often. Of course, training is addressed only after all health issues are cleared.

It is next to phenomenal that you see indications that this horse has been exposed to training in the vein of that used by Ray Hunt, especially a horse that is only ten with five years missing. Ray actually broke one of my horses ( 6 weeks - even worked cows on him) but not in this time frame, of course. It was a great experience but very different from any other training technique I have ever been exposed to. Even with the problems this horse has, this is almost like a gift to be able to work with her and help her and have her teach what she knows. I know I would certainly look forward to making my way through. This has to be really difficult for this horse to have this amazing education and then be thrown into a maze where every turn meets out a dead end encounter. How sad for her.

I don't know about off the wall but perhaps the basics would open the door so she could get back to where she needs to be. I think you are right about the wreck. It sounds like a lot of her behavior is based in fear but it seems also that she has a lot of layers that she just blocks With nothing coming through to her that is familiar and no one that she trusts, it is easier to explode as that takes care of all the problems (or it has in the past). I've always considered dancing and rearing as indicators of blocks that you have to get through. How you do it depends on the horse and how it reacts to you. Nothing is ever the same as every horse is different. That is why if there is a problem, I go back to the basics. It has always worked for me but until you are standing there with the horse at the end of the lead rope, you don't know what you will do because you have to do what the horse needs at that second.

I'm sure you will work it out. This is a great opportunity. Be safe.

ADD: Walking into the bridle and taking the bit was one of Ray's signature moves. My horse does this as well. Wonderful release as well. It is great to see.

Hmm...the only time I've seen this kind of thing is when a horse's back is out (and once when a horse's hocks were giving him severe pain). It doesn't have to be out to the point where they're giving issues undersaddle. It could be that her withers are out, and the twisting mounting does bothers her. Have you tried mounting from the offside? It's worth a shot, to see what she makes of that. IMO, i think it would be worth it to have a chiro out. I find that especially with nervous horses, every horse can benefit from chiropractic work. Nervous horses especially because they're so tense all of the time, and tend to throw things out of whack more easily. I also think it's very likely that she's afraid of what will come. She needs to build confidence and trust in you, to trust you won't harm her under saddle. Nervous horses have mental breakdowns real quick when they don't trust their rider-trust me, been there.

Another thought-how different is her tack now from what it was? I just remembered, the other time I saw a horse react badly like this consistently was when she was switched from an Aussie saddle to a western saddle. They were different enough that it freaked her out. She was awful for the first few minutes, then she got over it. She did it every ride for quite some time, but wouldn't do it in her old saddle. How does she do when you lunge her when she's tacked? Anything odd?

Edit: i meant to add in my first post-the only time when my horse is REALLY bad is when his back is out, and the last two times it's been in his hips. When it's in their hips, necks, and sometimes withers, there really isn't a way to tell by feeling them down. Also, if she is tensing, that could easily make her back hurt worse or her saddle fit wrong. To be honest, it could just be a training issue that needs time and patience, but it's always good to start with assuming pain is the problem so you can get the problem fixed and move on.

If the horse is not hurting anywhere and just being a jerk.

Bone tired will get a lot of silly horses attention! After you have tried all the methods mentioned here and if none of them work you could try what I have done for years to fix tall horses for short people. These horses were the ones that have learned that (if you can't get one me you won't ride me)

I have never known anyone who could physically make a horse stand still. You have to make them want to stand still.

I am only 5' 4 and always under 130 lbs. But I do have a lot of stamina and I am not a quitter. I have had to fix a lot of horses for folks like that and it is not an easy fix, but this method has never not worked for me.

I will take the saddled horse into an open area where it won"t get hurt if things get wild and have the left rein in my left hand and a crop in my right. I walk over to the horse like I were to mound and if it takes one step, I bring the head toward me and start whipping on the hinder and just keep it spinning around me till we both are pooped. I say Whoa! Let the horse stop while I take a breath and then we go at it again, and again, and again if necessary. Unless you are a wussy quitter the horse will decide it is much better to stand then to keep moving.

I do not make those mindless taps on his hinder, I make marks that will be there tomorrow.

I have always been able to fix the worst ones in just a lesson or two.

With a head shy horse, the absolute most idiotic thing I see people do is aggressively grab the horses ears/foretop. Headshyness is something that takes awhile to get over. The folks we got my mare off of would hit her with the bridle itself when she wouldn't take the bit. She still clamps her jaw and throws her head, even though I'm as gentle as can be with it. Start by scratching her neck as high up as you can without her acting up. Do this often throughout the day, and soon she should let you scratch higher and higher up toward her ears. Once you get to her ears, don't, repeat, don't, just grab the entire ear itself. The horse will just lose all the progress you made. It's really a trust issue. You say she isn't scared of the previous owners? Sounds like she may need time to bond with you. Take days of the week where you just groom her and talk to her and feed her treats. It's a habit, so you're going to need to break her of it. Best of luck!

I don't know if this mare is completely crazy or is just being a brat. But, solving the mounting problem is (and I'm going to be honest) a pain in the butt. Especially if you have a horse like that. But with consistency, you'll have it solved in no time.

**Make sure your horse is desensitized to a crop and whip if you do this. Very Important**

Stand on your mounting block with a crop in your hand. Lead Your horse to where you want them to stand. If the horse is not Standing still/squirmy. You need to get serious. First, try your best to make them stand still. They can be anywhere. THen, take the crop and GENTLY tap the outside of the horse's rump. Giving the signal, "Please move over towards me"

In the beginning the horse with likely be confused and not know what to do. But if you are consistent and give the right amount of pressure on the reins, you will have it eventually.

Make sure that you reward the horse every time they make progress, or else they won't understand what you are asking

Have somebody hold your horse and just put your foot in the stirrup do this several times and when she stands still give her a pat or a treat. A few days later when you can put your foot in the stirrup without anybody holding her move on to standing with your weight in the stirrup to your leg parcially over the saddle to sitting in the saddle everytime you mount 'hurry up and do nothing' when she is used to it. The key word here is gradually.Also check to see if her back is sore. Hope this helps.

she might be having back issues, and by acting nervous is her way tring to tell you. Her saddle might not fit either, or she might have something irritateing on her saddle pad. Or maybe she needs like a gel pad. but if none of those are the problums maybe she just has bad manners, or was abused.

y u dont even have horses ur a ***** just check out her answer to my question the one that says is this a good pedigree