The Mountain Goat exercise is a reverse of the back crunch, where the horse positions all four feet as close together as possible. It improves balance, body awareness, and flexibility.
Training Method
1. Encouraging Hind Feet to Step Under – Using gentle cues or tactile guidance (e.g., touching above the fetlock or hock).
2. Climbing on a Pedestal First – Some trainers use a tree stump or raised platform to introduce the posture before transitioning to flat ground.
3. Using a Soft Touch – Lightly touching the hind legs with a whip or hand to encourage stepping forward.
4. Head Lowering First – Teaching the horse to drop its head before engaging the hind legs makes the movement easier.
Common Challenges
• Horses shifting their front feet forward instead of bringing hind feet under – This can be corrected by rewarding small weight shifts.
• Maintaining relaxation – The horse must remain calm and engaged rather than feeling pressured.
Key Insights
• Mountain Goat helps stretch the back and haunches.
• It’s best taught in a calm setting to avoid stress.
• A slow approach with rewardable moments leads to better understanding.This aligns with AND’s philosophy of developing body awareness and engagement through voluntary movement rather than forced postures.