Horse Backs Up When Mounting – The Solution is Easier Than You Think

Horses are amazing animals. So, it’s no wonder you took up horse riding. But recently, you’re finding that your horse backs up when mounting. Often.

You’re not sure why or what to do. In this post, I’ll explain one of the main reasons your horse backs up when mounting – and the super simple solution.

While some horses back up when you try to mount them, others sink down when being mounted or tighten and

hump their backs during the first few minutes of riding.

Still, others will buck early in the ride then settle down after warming up. This is called being cold-backed.

General, the cold backed horse is extremely sensitive in its back. The soreness is usually under the saddle area.  The horse is usually sore in his back muscles and will flinch when you try to groom him too.

Whether your horse sinks down when you try to mount him or bucks, in either scenario, the main cause of your horse backing away when you try to mount it is because his back is in pain due to a poor-fitting saddle.

Effects of Poor Fitting Saddle

A poor-fitting saddle is painful to your horse and can cause horse behavior and performance problems – from a mild protest when being mounted, to an episode of wild, unmanageable bucking.

A poor-fitting saddle causes horse behavior problems such as:

• Objection to being saddled
• Inability to stand still or relax (fidgets when being mounted)
• Difficulty shoeing
• Excessive bucking or rolling

And a poor-fitting saddle causes horse performance problems like:

• Cold-backed while mounting
• Bucking
• Reluctance to stride out
• Lameness
• Faltering when making a transition

How to Solve The Problem

The first thing you need to do is check to make sure you have the correct saddle for your horse. What does that mean?

There are different types of saddles. Each saddle is made for a specific riding discipline. So make sure you’re not using a roping saddle when you should be using a trail/pleasure saddle.

Next, make sure your saddle tree isn’t broken.  A broken saddle tree could mean nails or staplesare digging into your horse’s back.  Likewise, if your saddle tree is wooden, make sure the wood isn’t splinted.

Don’t know how to check to see if your saddle is broken and causing pain to your horse? Keep reading.

How to Check If Tree is Broken

It’s important to check your saddle on and off your horse.  Here’s how to check your saddle off the horse.

First, put the front part of the saddle against your thigh for support. Then press one hand on the seat.  Next, with your other hand, grasp the cantle, and pull it towards you.

A tree that’s intact won’t give in to pressure.

If it does, it means it’s broken. Also, listen for clicking sounds. Clicking sounds are indicative of a broken tree.

The next step is to do the reverse.  Turn the saddle around so that the cantle is resting on your thigh. Then grasp the front edges just under the pommel or horn, and pull outward and upward.

If there’s movement or noise, it means your tree is compromised.

Now that you’ve determined your tree isn’t broken, it’s time to determine if your saddle is the right fit. While you may have the right type of saddle, the fit could be wrong.
Below is a short 2-minute video to show you step by step on how to make sure your saddle fits your horse.  I thought I’d write them out as well for you.

To give you a good visual, here’s that two-minute video showing you exactly how to determine saddle fit. (It’s easier than trying to explain.)

In case you’re wondering who made this awesome video, it’s made by The Horse Saddle Shop.  They have the biggest brand selection of new and used horse saddles.  They’re also an excellent resource on saddle fitting.

I highly recommend you check them out.

I hope I’ve been able to shed some light on why your horse backs up when you try to mount it.   And now that you know why your horse backs up when mounting, go take that saddle off his back and examine it.

If this post was helpful, please leave your comments or questions below.