Step #2. Mount Up Slowly
Approach your horse to mount up, but do so in ultra-slow motion (Photo 2A). Pay attention to where you are in the mounting process when your horse begins to walk without being cued. You may find that simply walking to your horse's side prompts him to move. Or, you may find that you can twist your stirrup and raise your leg - or even get your foot in the stirrup - before he takes a step.
As you test your horse, make sure you don't prevent him from moving. He'll need to make the mistake before you can correct it (Photo 2B). The moment your horse takes a step, it's time to make him work.
Correction technique: The moment your horse takes a step, take your foot out of the stirrup, back up, and feed some longe line from the coil. As soon as you're in a safe spot, raise your right arm, slap it on your leg, make a "swoosh" sound, stomp your feet, and make your horse move (Photo 2C). Your goal is to teach your horse that walking off means work.
Be firm so your horse associates his movement with having to work hard. Standing still will now be easy and moving will be hard. Ask him to lope 5 to 10 laps around the longe circle so he understands he has to work. Work him long enough so that he wants to stop. You'll see him breathing hard and looking in to you for a stop cue.
When your horse wants to stop, say "whoa," and allow him to rest for a moment. Then square him, and repeat the mounting process. Repeat this process until he stands still as you place your foot in the stirrup.
Important: Your horse will learn the lesson quickly if your correction is well-timed. Horses associate a behavior with the consequence if a correction comes within three seconds of the original act; the quicker, the better.
Simply put, if you're quick and put your horse to work the instant he steps off, he may learn his lesson on the first try. If you wait too long before asking him to work, he may not associate the correction with his action. Or, worse, think he was supposed to walk off.
Step #3. Praise Him
Once your horse will stand still as you get a foot in the stirrup, you'll change your training plan. That is, you'll begin praising him for his new stand-still behavior.
When your horse stands still while you step into the stirrup, resist the urge to get all the way on. Instead, step back down, and praise him petting him on the neck. Mount and dismount until he stands still every time you put your foot in the stirrup. If he takes a step, make sure you're holding the longe line so you can initiate the correction technique outlined in Step #2 when necessary.
Step #4. Mount Up
Once your horse will stand still when you put a foot in the stirrup, lift your right foot completely off the ground. Practice stepping up, then placing your right foot back down on the ground. If your horse takes a step, initiate the correction technique outlined in Step #2. If he stands still, step off, and praise him.
When your horse stands still as you step up, fully mount. Once you swing your leg over his back, use rein pressure to stop him, if necessary. But up until that point, he should willingly stand still on a loose rein.
When your horse stands still as you mount and dismount, test his stay-put ability in an open area. As you do, keep the longe line attached in case you need to correct him. Keep in mind that his training is location specific. He may behave perfectly in the arena, but need a refresher course when you're in an open area
