What's The Matter?

I wonder if this isn't just an evasion--How does she actually step away from you--is it just a few steps or does she seem panicky?

If it is an evasion, than it's pretty easy to fix. My horse did this too-just stepped off sideways or backwards whenever I'd try to mount. There are two possible ways to go here:
One is to gather a pocketful of treats. Stand beside her as if you are going to mount, and stroke her neck. Just stand there. Give her a treat, then go ahead and put a foot in the stirrup (you might need a helper to hold her still). If she stands still (even with the helper holding her), treat her again. Then take a step back. Then repeat, gradually having the helper loosen his hold and step away. Don't treat her if she moves away. Only when she stands stock still. If she's interested in treats she will probably cooperate. Eventually you should be able to mount with her standing still. Then give her a treat. Each time you mount and she's quiet, treat her. Then gradually vary the treats, sometimes not treating at all, and gradually weaning her off getting a treat but teaching her that standing still is a rewardable behavior.

Method 2: Carry a long whip (don't worry, you're not really going to use it). Start to mount. If she steps away, take ahold of the bridle keep pushing her, with a little encouragement from the whip if necessary, sideways in a tight pivoting circle around you. Eventually she should drop her head and soften a bit. After a couple of circles, stop and try again. If she steps away, repeat. This will take patience, but the concept here is to apply lots of pressure, letting her know that it's easier to stand still than to go sideways in a circle.

Hope that helps! Let me know.

I just read your comment today, Emily! She WAS just taking a couple of steps, but if she wasn't near the roundpen fence, if you kept persisting, she'd keep moving- all the way in a circle!

Doug and I are still only trying to mount when both of us are there, and we do this every day. Today he said on the way to the farm that maybe because we had gone back to just trying our weight in the stirrup this past week that maybe that was the reason she was being evasive! Because it wasn't natural for us to "hang" off of one side (when we were not able to lay across her back semi-evenly). Anyway, I used the bucket today (we had lately just been putting our weight in from the ground), and when I had mounted (no prob- she was beside the fence), Doug led her halfway around, and I stopped her and got off. Then we did the same thing, only we switched places. At the same halfway mark where I had gotten off, both of us mentally decided to keep on going, but Missy decided that a small but sharp buck would be in order. Unfortunately, (I didn't realize) Doug had had his arms on his legs and was not holding the mane (the bridle was on, but we are not working on that now), so directly afterward, he decided that a speedy dismount would be in order. It was quick, but he received an awful cramp in his inner thigh for his efforts. Of course, he was worried (and I was, though I didn't say anything) that he might have sent Missy the wrong message with this reaction. I walked her, while he grasped his leg in pain, and soon he led her while I sat again on her back and rode just about four steps and then dismounting.

We are lunging her twice a day now- I do it once in the morning and we both work her at night. She is better, now that we stand her by the fence and use a step-up again. I was excited that I got to ride her again after a 6-day battle, but I do not like the way that she bucked with Doug. I think that we are making progress in the mounting war, but it has taken a lot of patience and a lot of thought. Thanks for the treat tip. She DOES like them. Hopefully, we will be able to succeed without them now, but we still have a few problems to conquer.

Oh yeah- remember when I said that the farrier was coming to do her feet? Well, we were prepared with some Ace from the vet, and Doug said that he and the farrier used both a twitch and a lead chain over the nose, and Missy, although she did not seem to want to hurt anybody by striking and what-not, reared and fought hard enough that she did not get a single hoof trimmed, although she needs it badly! I wasn't there- I had to work, but I caught her still zombied-out after the farrier had gone and was able to pick up both of her front feet, just as before. He is coming again soon, the same day as the vet this time, and we'll see what we can do with a "cocktail", as the boys so bluntly put it. I'll make sure I'm there this time. I've taken Standardbred yearlings to the farrier before- what did we do different? The only thing I can think of that they didn't try is a (and I know some will disagree, because it is harsh, but it sure worked on a very studdy stallion that I used to have!) lead chain under the top lip above the teeth. We are working on picking up her feet every day, and we can get her front feet up to clean, and when we try for the back, we praise her even when she lifts one to slam it right back down. She still picked it up for a second. If we do happen to hang on for a moment, she cow-kicks- gently, but definitely getting the point across! When that happens, we say "no" firmly and maybe swat her quickly once in the flank with the hoof pick or our hand. Are there any other suggestions? It seems like I have worked with horses my whole life, but suddenly I get my own and lose all prior confidence just because I want everything to go perfectly.

Anyways, I guess I offered a LOT of information, but maybe something I said will trigger something that you remember from your previous experiences. Thanks for all the help and speedy replies!

Praise The Lord!