Home

Prior To Mounting

 

 

PRIOR TO MOUNTING

At Liberty:

 

Be able to engage horse with an invite/greeting, respectfully

 

Walk all the way around the horse, touching (scratching or brushing ) including the rear, legs, tail, both

sides

 

Disengage the rear end – move the horse away from you-

Or do a send

 

Request a follow -Draw

 

Get the horses attention if not focused on you

 

Give a carrot, apple or other treat gently

 

Give a treat with a stretch – horse keeps feet still

 

 

With Line:

Place a halter or lead around neck with horse lowering head OR offering no resistance (OK to use a stool

 

and have assist if younger/inexperienced)

 

On a loose lead – walk straight, turn both directions

 

walk over something

back 

 

move horse to side

 

have horse stand still

 

walk to back of horse avoiding lifting lead and turning so the horse stays still

 

 

Position horse next to log, trailer (or other object) that you might use to mount or to see their back-

 

Do both sides

 

Lean on horses back

 

Learn With Horses 2021

 

 

 

Kids Version with explanations:

 

 

 

PRIOR TO MOUNTING - Kids version with learning hints

At Liberty:

Enter the arena or paddock with multiple horses and greet

Be able to engage a horse with an invite/greeting, respectfully

Would you like someone to say hello to you nicely before telling you to do something

 

 

Walk all the way around the horse, touching (scratching or brushing ) including the rear, legs, tail, both sides - PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT MAKES THEM NERVOUS OR THEY DO NOT LIKE AND WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL GOOD

How would you react if someone just started brushing your hair

 

Request a follow / draw

Disengage the rear end – move the horse away from you-

Or do a send

If you get in a situation with horse you cant handle you want them away from you so they are not crowded and do not accidentally knock you down

 

Get the horses attention if not focused on you

Make sure you have contact and communication - horses space out just like humans

Watch for other horses- are they all focused on something. Are they worried

 

Give a carrot, apple treat gently

Give a treat with a stretch – horse keeps feet still

 

Touch all 4 hooves, Pick up one

Establishing trust and getting to know each other is key to a successful pleasant relationship

 

With Line:

 

Put a halter or lead around neck of horse OK to use a stool or have assist if younger/inexperienced

show the correct non invasive way to do this

demonstrate understanding of horse visual field and basic skills

 

On a loose lead – walk straight, turn both directions

walk over something

back up

move horse to side

have horse stand still

walk to back of horse avoiding lifting lead and turning so the horse stays still- touch tail, back leg or rear hoof

you need to do this to properly groom before mounting

you might have to do this when riding to check tack or remove a burr

 

Position horse next to log, mounting block, trailer (or other object) that you might use to mount or to see their back- both sides

 

Lean on horses back

When you can do this then put on your helmet and go to next steps

swing up onto horses back - sit and then slide off the opposite side.

do this from both sides

try different ways of dismounting

Try using different things to stand on

This is the start of getting your balance and knowing how to quickly and safely dismount if you get into 'trouble'

 

Now you are ready to walk around with someone helping hold the lead rope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn With Horses 2025

Lisa Gurian

p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }

Lisa Gurian