A horse that constantly moves around when you try to slip your foot in the stirrup is not only frustrating, but potentially dangerous. A well-trained horse stands quietly while you mount and waits for your cue to move off once you’re situated in the saddle.
“The secret to getting a horse to stand quietly when you go to get in the saddle is to get him to use the thinking side of his brain and tune in to you,” Clinton says. “Then, if he shimmies away from you when you go to swing up in the saddle, redirect his feet. You’ll make the right thing (standing still while you get in the saddle) easy and the wrong thing (fidgeting) difficult.”
In the summer 2018 No Worries Journal article, “Stand Still for Mounting,” Clinton provides a go-to plan to teach your horse to relax and stand patiently when you go to get in the saddle.
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