We're continuing the groundwork with my off-track Thoroughbred mare.
Before getting onto her back, we have work to do to resolve issues on the ground. We also want to prepare her for a rider that may use a mounting block. (It may not have been used at the track.)
Before the video, I worked with the mare for about 15 minutes to ask her to stand quietly at the block while I stepped up onto it. I worked on both sides of the horse.
We then took the horses for a walk down the road and I returned to it to see what she remembered from the short training session. Not bad!
I will continue to work on this and post an update.
Note: She could be swinging away from the mounting block because she doesn't understand the request, or she could be anticipating discomfort in the ride (knowing what comes next at the mounting block). I am pretty certain she has an ulcer and we have been treating her with Omeprazole.
