Watch the Video Here or continue reading below!
In this 4th Grade horse training Q&A, Michael Gascon addresses common rider questions about mounting, teaching the “come get me” trick, dealing with horses that drift or walk off, and building respect during groundwork. If you’ve struggled with horses moving while you mount, difficulty teaching the pickup trick, or keeping your horse’s attention in distracting environments, this lesson is packed with useful insights.
Teaching the “Come Get Me” Trick Safely
One of the most popular rider questions is how to teach the “come get me” trick—where the horse approaches you to be mounted.
-
Avoid unsafe props – Never attempt this trick from a mounting block or flimsy stepping stool. If the horse moves, you could get knocked over.
-
Use something solid – A truck bed, tailgate, or picnic table are safe, stable places to work from. These prevent the horse from pushing into you.
-
Adapt to your horse and situation – Choose a mounting surface based on your horse’s reactivity and your physical comfort. Safety and control should always come first.
Mounting Challenges: Horses That Drift or Walk Off
Many riders struggle with horses drifting away, stepping forward, or walking off before the rider is fully mounted.
-
Always tack up – Use a saddle when practicing mounting. Bareback training can make horses harder to control in the early stages.
-
Respect and repercussion – If a horse moves away during mounting, add pressure. Back them up, flex them, or make them work until standing still becomes the easy choice.
-
Consistency matters – Reward them by leaving them alone when they stand still. Make standing easy and moving off difficult.
Key takeaway: Horses learn through pressure and release. If drifting or walking off results in more work, they’ll quickly learn that patience is the better option.
Keeping Your Horse’s Attention in a Distracting Environment
Some riders feel their horse is too distracted by surroundings—tarps, wind, or other moving objects—to focus.
Michael’s advice: Be louder than the environment.
-
Earn respect – Horses don’t automatically give respect; you must earn it through clear, consistent leadership.
-
Stand out – Be “ridiculous” if needed. Wave, make noise, and demand your horse’s attention. The horse should view you as the alpha, no matter what else is happening.
-
Compare to the herd – Just as horses always know where the alpha mare is, your horse should always know where you are.
Preventing Backing Up During the Pickup Trick
Some horses try to back away when you ask them to come to you at the mounting point.
-
Use proper tools – A long lash whip (about six feet) helps you guide and control without being too close.
-
Don’t allow them to ignore pressure – If they step into you when you apply pressure with the whip, you’re sending the wrong message. Correct firmly and immediately.
-
Light them up if needed – Ask nicely first, but if the horse resists or pushes into you, increase energy until they move away correctly.
Understanding Processing: Licking and Chewing
During training, many horses lick, chew, or pause.
-
Not a bad sign – This isn’t defiance—it’s processing.
-
A sign of learning – Horses often lick, chew, or lower their head as they think through what just happened.
-
Use it as feedback – Give your horse a brief pause so they can absorb the lesson.
Why Hold the Reins in Your Right Hand When Mounting?
A common mounting question is why you should hold the reins with your right hand in addition to using your left.
-
Control – This setup allows you to control the horse’s head if they try to move off.
-
Balance and safety – With both hands engaged, you can better prevent the horse from stepping forward during mounting.
Final Thoughts
This 4th Grade Q&A session highlights the importance of safety, respect, and consistency in horse training. Whether you’re teaching the come get me trick, correcting a horse that drifts, or trying to keep a distracted horse’s attention, the principles remain the same:
-
Use pressure and release correctly.
-
Make the right choice easy and the wrong choice hard.
-
Demand respect while keeping safety first.
By applying these lessons, you’ll build a horse that stands still, pays attention, and willingly comes to you when asked.
