How to train a horse to use the mounting block

Teaching a horse to use a mounting block is fairly simple if you are patient. It doesn't pay to get in a hurry or to get angry at your horse. Once your horse learns that it is much easier on him and you, he will then be more cooperative. I use a 5 gallon bucket at first to stand on then after you are standing on the mounting block or the bucket ask you horse to take just a few steps closer to the block. Be very patient. If you horse doesn't make the attempt to step near the block, then move the block to a position where you can get on the block comfortably by the horse. Sometimes, the horse is resistant to stand near it because it makes you taller and more intimidating. Just keep trying to get him closer to the block or bucket and when he takes a few steps forward praise him. Let him think a little, then proceed again. Ask him to step up closer. If he goes on by, simply allow him to circle and try again. Don't let your horse know that you are not confident. He needs to know that nothing is going to hurt him and if you act afraid or frustrated, the horse will too.

The horse is just like your kid who is afraid of the dark, if you say you are scared, the kid will be scared too, but, if you say, that's o.k., you can do it, the horse will feel your confidence in him and will try to please you.

If you are not succesful in the above, then put your horse in a corner, where he can't move and then put the block near him so that you can stand on it and put your foot in the stirrup. Practice this several times until your horse will finanally stand still enough for you to get on. Then, after he learns this, if you are trail riding, you can then ask him to straddle a downed tree and you can stand on the tree which is between his front and back legs and get on. You can also put him in a ditch or downhill from you to get on. It doesn't take too many times until your horse learns that you are going to get on him that way. If you start this process do not quit until your horse is able to stand still by the block for you to get on.

Some horses will simply step aside so that you cannot get on. If your horse does that, you are working with a behavior problem. Then the behavior has to be undone and only peristance will take care of the problem. Teach your horse to stand very still while you are mounting and dismounting. as there is nothing more agravating than a horse who walks off with youwhile you are trying to get on.

All of my horses have learned that because I have an arthritic condition that makes it difficult for me to mount without using a device such as a mounting block. My horse is about 15 hands and my mule is only about 14.1. But, both of them know what to do when I want to get on.

Good luck with your  training and happy trails!