Slow Down!

eatsleepride101 · 07-22-2005, 04:11 PM

Okay, I am riding a horse named Black Jack. He doesn't trot, he canters and boy does he run too. I can't seem to get him to slow down. He fights for the bit to. He is a hot head and loves to be first. how can I get this horse to listen to me SLOW down. I've tried leaning back pulling real hard. Nothing works. he doesn't belong to me either. Just a trail horse. Please help

AQHA_Gizmo · 07-22-2005, 04:21 PM

If he takes off when you didn't ask, do a one rein stop. Get him in tight tight circles until he stops.

PoochtheMighty · 07-22-2005, 04:22 PM

#1 problem-

Quote:

I've tried leaning back pulling real hard.

Nooo! That will not help you, it will only give him leverage against you. Never, ever pull back. Use squeeze-release-squeeze-release and sit deep, down on the ground. Push with your seat down through his back so you can sit on the ground below him.

Is he bolting with you? If he is bolting then you need to use a one rein stop on him, he cannot run with his head brought around to your hip. Grab that rein and guide his nose around to your hip, this will unbalance him and literally check his momentum- once you get that "Huh?", THEN use both reins to squeeze and release until he stops.

If he is just fast, use lots of trot-to-halt transitions. Transitions can pretty much help almost any responsive issue a horse may have. Start with simple transitions- halt to back to trot to halt to walk to halt, etc, at slower, more balanced gaits, to get him responding to your leg, hands and seat. He is most balanced at the trot, so use that before you start canter transitions. Trot-to-canter-to-walk-to-canter-to halt-to walk-to canter- to trot will get his mind on you and help him balance so he doesn't feel the need to rush around at top speeds.

Shotgun93 · 07-22-2005, 04:26 PM

Pooch said it. DOn't pull back, it will only unable to run faster.

Do one reins stops to get him to slow down. Every time he speeds up, bend him into a one rein stop, back him up and ask him to go forward again. Ask him to trot and if he breaks into a canter, bend him again, back him up and start again.

Also, be sure that you are very clear with your seat and aids. When you want him to trot, keep posting at an even pace.

JumpsxGlory · 07-22-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoochtheMighty

#1 problem-

Nooo! That will not help you, it will only give him leverage against you. Never, ever pull back. Use squeeze-release-squeeze-release and sit deep, down on the ground. Push with your seat down through his back so you can sit on the ground below him.

Is he bolting with you? If he is bolting then you need to use a one rein stop on him, he cannot run with his head brought around to your hip. Grab that rein and guide his nose around to your hip, this will unbalance him and literally check his momentum- once you get that "Huh?", THEN use both reins to squeeze and release until he stops.

If he is just fast, use lots of trot-to-halt transitions. Transitions can pretty much help almost any responsive issue a horse may have. Start with simple transitions- halt to back to trot to halt to walk to halt, etc, at slower, more balanced gaits, to get him responding to your leg, hands and seat. He is most balanced at the trot, so use that before you start canter transitions. Trot-to-canter-to-walk-to-canter-to halt-to walk-to canter- to trot will get his mind on you and help him balance so he doesn't feel the need to rush around at top speeds.

All you need is 100% right there in what Pooch said. Ripping on the horses mouth does nothing. Like Pooch said.. Squeeze-release-squeeze-release and sit into that saddle deep. If that doesn't work, which sometimes it doesn't because many horses diregard the pressure of the bit in such cases, pull him into a tight circle until he stops. Once he stops halt him and sit there for a good minute or two to give him a sense of respect, which he obviously lacks toward you or other riders. Walk a few strides then halt and praise him when he stands still. Then do that at a trot and a canter. If he speeds up on you keep a deep seat, heels down, and squeeze-release-squeeze-release.

Cavalier · 07-22-2005, 07:04 PM

Pooch nailed that answer...no more to say!

swalker · 07-22-2005, 08:06 PM

I have the same problem. Let me know what works for you.

eatsleepride101 · 07-23-2005, 05:11 AM

Well the thing is I can't do the one rein stop thing because he only does it on a trail rides. The trail are a little narrow too. Do you think I should do it no matter what?

Shotgun93 · 07-23-2005, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatsleepride101

Well the thing is I can't do the one rein stop thing because he only does it on a trail rides. The trail are a little narrow too. Do you think I should do it no matter what?

It will be the best way to get him to pay attention to you.

Practice lots of them on the ground and in the saddle at home, that way, when you do go out, he will be more soft and supple and able to do them in a narrow space.

eatsleepride101 · 07-23-2005, 05:27 AM

Okay, thanks. I'm going on another trail ride Sunday. I think I want to ride a diffrent horse do you think that is okay? Black Jack took off on me, I didn't fall. But I lost my stirrups and reins. I'm sorta afraid but not enough to not ride another horse. I'm a little scared to ride BJ aagain. Do you think I should? I'm not sure if they will let me. What do you think?

07-22-2005, 04:26 PM	#4
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,583 Images: 124	Pooch said it. DOn't pull back, it will only unable to run faster. Do one reins stops to get him to slow down. Every time he speeds up, bend him into a one rein stop, back him up and ask him to go forward again. Ask him to trot and if he breaks into a canter, bend him again, back him up and start again. Also, be sure that you are very clear with your seat and aids. When you want him to trot, keep posting at an even pace. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

07-22-2005, 08:06 PM	#7
swalker Full Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 134	I have the same problem. Let me know what works for you. __________________ Why is prostitution LEGAL for horses? HMMMM

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07-22-2005, 04:11 PM	#1
eatsleepride101 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Someplace where horses roam. Posts: 189	Slow Down! Okay, I am riding a horse named Black Jack. He doesn't trot, he canters and boy does he run too. I can't seem to get him to slow down. He fights for the bit to. He is a hot head and loves to be first. how can I get this horse to listen to me SLOW down. I've tried leaning back pulling real hard. Nothing works. he doesn't belong to me either. Just a trail horse. Please help

07-22-2005, 04:21 PM	#2
AQHA_Gizmo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sittin' on a sidewalk in Freso...braided hair and a tye died t-shirt on... Posts: 3,948 Images: 11	If he takes off when you didn't ask, do a one rein stop. Get him in tight tight circles until he stops.

07-22-2005, 07:04 PM	#6
Cavalier Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,698 Images: 236 Blog Entries: 18	Pooch nailed that answer...no more to say!

07-23-2005, 05:11 AM	#8
eatsleepride101 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Someplace where horses roam. Posts: 189	Well the thing is I can't do the one rein stop thing because he only does it on a trail rides. The trail are a little narrow too. Do you think I should do it no matter what?

07-23-2005, 05:27 AM	#10
eatsleepride101 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Someplace where horses roam. Posts: 189	Okay, thanks. I'm going on another trail ride Sunday. I think I want to ride a diffrent horse do you think that is okay? Black Jack took off on me, I didn't fall. But I lost my stirrups and reins. I'm sorta afraid but not enough to not ride another horse. I'm a little scared to ride BJ aagain. Do you think I should? I'm not sure if they will let me. What do you think?