by Jeanne Adams

Created on: August 25, 2006   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Mounting For the First Time

Mounting or backing young horses for the first time is a huge milestone in their life. Fortunately, most riders acquire their horses already fundamentally trained. Sending your young horse off to a trainer is a common way to go, but backing your own horse, in my experience, is not as traumatic or difficult as you may think.

As with all training we want to make backing as stress-free and encouraging as possible. The first step is preparation including lungeing, groundwork, and acceptance of the saddle and bridle. Desensitizing the horse accompanies all these types of training and is of the utmost importance. We want to be able to ascertain what their reaction might be in a spooky situation. By the time you back your horse, he should have maximum trust in you and believe you will keep him safe.

My young ones are already proficient at lungeing and groundwork long before they are backed. My groundwork includes a lot of lateral movement so the horse is accustomed to moving away from pressure to be replaced by the leg when mounted. He is familiar with the bit due to groundwork and already gives at the poll and relaxes his jaw. Word commands are part of his everyday life. Having a seasoned, mounted horse nearby will give the youngster confidence. Having a ground helper that the horse knows is a good idea too. I've been in the position where I had neither and still had a positive out-come.

I would begin by lungeing the horse in the equipment needed to ride. I've had burlap sacks set on their backs before but find it isn't always that beneficial or necessary. The bottom line here is getting the horse to accept the weight of the rider. That's it! The horse already trusts and loves you, so the next step is really a natural one. Have your helper hold the horse with his head tipped to the inside. Place your left foot in the stirrup, rise smoothly and lie across the saddle and wait. If you get an unfavorable reaction, calmly get off, reassure your horse, perhaps even lunge a bit more. Try again. When you are laying your weight across the saddle and the horse is remaining calm, rub and pet him everywhere you can reach and give lots of praise. Do this repeatedly until your horse is to the point of boredom, then he is ready to have you straddle him. There should be little change in the horse's demeanor at this point, but again, wait, rub, and praise. If all goes well, your helper can try leading him in a small circle increasing in size as you both get secure. Some trainers say whatever you do on one side, you do on the other. This is all I would normally do the first time out. End positively so the next time will be just as pleasant. Repeat this method for several days until being ridden is just as normal as anything else you've asked your horse to do.

Now the horse is used to the weight of the rider, is moving forward, and is delighted to have his owner on his back just like all the other big horses! The ground helper should only be needed for a short time, but keeping the seasoned mount close by is a real confidence builder for both of you. Now you are off to train the next great saddle horse!

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