Mastering the Mounting Block

“My horse refuses to stand still at the mounting block, or even get close!” Sound familiar? I discovered this clever trick to make the mounting block issues a breeze and to entice your horse to WANT to hang out nice and close…

My first horse was a Paso Fino, and he loathed the mounting block. Likely because it meant that I would be hoisting my kid body aboard him resulting in some lengthy amount of work and the good chance that he would have to encounter something terrifying (which usually meant just about anything on a given day). I would stand atop that wooden edifice hoping that today would be the day he would finally stand still.

Alas, it was not to be had. I received lots of advice from my instructor and trainer, from other boarders at the barn and so on. Nothing seemed to work. I tried walking him up to the block from the ground and if I could get him lined up sideways with it he would inevitably scoot away and point his head at me once I was actually standing on the block. Moving the block closer to the wall of the arena only meant that he would bolt between the narrow space instead of standing patiently wedged against the arena wall.

As a kid the mounting block seemed like luxury more than necessity, and considering the short stature of my horse I eventually gave up hope of getting on from the mounting block.

Now I know better the benefits of using the mounting block and just how kind it is on the horse… but convincing them of that fact might be something altogether different. The horse who changed my mind on approaching the mounting block was Kitty, a lovely OTTB mare I had the pleasure of owning for a time. Because she was so tall I used the mounting block to reach her back and give her massages. She had TERRIBLE muscle pain all along her back and hindquarters and this was the only effective way to get to those areas.

Initially she was not keen on the mounting block, but as soon as she found out it meant a back massage she was all for it! It got to the point where she'd get near the mounting block while being lead, lunged or ridden and start veering for it hoping for a rub down. Left loose in the arena she'd hang out by it waiting for someone to get the hint. This is how I tackle all mounting block endeavors now. It all starts with a back massage, a much better association with the mounting block than the idea of work..

Besides, when is the last time you refused a back massage?

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