These are lessons that should have been well-instilled from the ground, but riders often let their horses get away with ‘moving violations’ during mounting and dismounting. If your horse has adopted this bad habit, or is a green youngster just starting its under-saddle education, here is some advice from Michele.
It’s great if you have a corner where you can place the mounting block, as the walls (or fence if you’re outdoors) will serve as a deterrent to the horse to move in some directions. See if you can get someone to assist you from the ground, too, as this is easier with a helper. It can be difficult to halt a horse when you are in the middle of getting on.
Stand on the block and have your helper lead the horse up to it and halt. Say ‘stand’ or ‘whoa.’ If the horse tries to avoid the situation and barges right past, halt him with a tug on the reins and make him back up several steps. Present your horse to the block again, and keep halting and backing up the horse as many times as it takes until he stops trying to run past the mounting block.