[ironartist]

I have a 5 yr. old morgan that I have been riding every day now for the past couple weeks. I need to slow him down when we are off the trail. I am worried he's gonna trip and go down from walking too fast in the lush overgrown forest. Is it just gonna be one of those in time things or is there a way to make it happen sooner.

[BriLeigh]

Is he gaited?

As the rider it is your job to control the speed with your seat. Try working on some comings and goings, in the walk ask for a faster walk (really you want a longer stride) and then ask for a slower walk. use your seat to help this as well, but speeding up the motion of your seat and slowing it down.

[ironartist]

I do not know what that means, and you say control my speed by the seat, I am sorry but I don't understand that either. I am having to learn all this on my own, I know no one else with horses.

[ironartist]

And no I don't think he is gaited it's either a walk or a rough fast trot, by all means not smooth. Is there a way to get him to smooth up?

[LindaMM]

Originally Posted by ironartist

And no I don't think he is gaited it's either a walk or a rough fast trot, by all means not smooth. Is there a way to get him to smooth up?

As you are able to get him to slow down, the trot will be more cadenced and rythmic, and yes, smoother.

Do you have problems getting him soft to the bit, or are you always fighting him? It may be a good idea to do ground work with him to get him to flex laterally. That may be Greek to you. If so, let me know and I'll go into more detail.

[ILoveRedRanger!]

Take lessons with a trainer. That will help you tremendously.

[ironartist]

I am useing a mechanical hackamore on him right now, I have to fight him to hard to get a bit in his mouth. I was looking at a bosal on ebay 7 1/2x 15 but don't know if it will fit he is about 15.5 hands. And as far as getting a trainer I am a staving artist and can not afford that. We just have to learn by trial and error and asking advise from people like yourselves

[pittmd]

Originally Posted by ironartist

I do not know what that means, and you say control my speed by the seat, I am sorry but I don't understand that either. I am having to learn all this on my own, I know no one else with horses.

A horse does not intuitively know what various cues are for. You have to teach them that when you relax and sit deeply or sit back they should stop or what ever it is you want them to do.

As a green rider with a young horse you have your work cut out for you. If there are no trainers in your area that can work with you you will need to get some kind of instructions in the form of DVD's at the very least.

Another thing...this forum has a lot of talent in the members. Some forget/don't know your level and you will hear things that will leave you with more questions than answers. Be patient and keep working at it and reading.

I was in your shoes not so long ago. I am still a little green but getting better all the time and so is my horse.

[PUtNEE]

Originally Posted by ironartist

I am useing a mechanical hackamore on him right now, I have to fight him to hard to get a bit in his mouth. I was looking at a bosal on ebay 7 1/2x 15 but don't know if it will fit he is about 15.5 hands. And as far as getting a trainer I am a staving artist and can not afford that. We just have to learn by trial and error and asking advise from people like yourselves

Word of advice, don't get a bosal or even use a mechanical hack until you know how to use one. It sounds like your horse has a lot of brace (fighting the cues, bracing against them) and neither device is suitable for an untrained horse. You can seriously damage your horse's nose. Neither of these is an option for a horse who fights pressure.

If you are unable to afford help, don't ride this horse. Sounds harsh but you can't expect your horse to do the work for you and poverty is no excuse.

It might be best to ride when you can afford to go get help. Why not volunteer somewhere you can at least get a basic education in horsemanship??

[ironartist]

I said nowhere's in any of my posts that my horse fights pressure I don't know where you read that. He does fight getting a bit put in his mouth and was told to wait on it till he knows how to rein before I introduce it. And also it isn't what you called poverty it's spending on something I can probably do myself with a bit of knowlage from willing people unlike yourself, cause it sounds like your unwilling to help someone in need.