Need advice on teaching horse to slow at trot

princesskristin · 01-10-2007, 09:44 PM

My horse has a fast trot, and it can be a little unbalancing sometimes, I was just wondering how to get him to slow his trot down, I have tried everything I can think of, any ideas of what to do. Thanks

BornToRide · 01-10-2007, 09:51 PM

I think it's called check and release.

If he gets too speedy, start gently applying pressure with the bit and gradually (but quickly) increase it until he gets at the speed you want. Then drop your reins to him. If he speeds back up, do it again. Even if you have to keep doing it over and over again, it'll keep his trot easier.

miss leanne · 01-10-2007, 09:59 PM

The only thing I have to add to Born To Ride's idea is to start trotting him over poles. It will get him to pay attention to where he's putting his feet and pay attention to what he's doing and SLOW DOWN to do it. Start with one pole, move up to two and then three and so on. Before long, he'll be taking his time, paying attention to you and hopefully... slowing down. Good luck!

recklesshoundog · 01-10-2007, 10:04 PM

Jog in smaller circles, relax and sit deep. People ask me all the time how I get my horses to jog so slow and round. A lot of it comes from just relaxing and sitting and breathing. I always say it's a zen thing.

Circle when they start to build up steam. If your becoming unbalanced it usually means you've tightened up somewhere and might be unconciously moving him out.

Half halts help but for a western horse I try to stay off their face as much as possible with the goal of a nice loose rein. Circles will be your best friend. I usually don't work straight on the rail at a trot for quite a while...too much space to build up steam. After a few quick steps it's off to another circle.

It's takes a lot of balance and control for a horse to collect and it doesn't happen overnite. As with anything, time and consistancy!

ToveroMom · 01-10-2007, 10:16 PM

Well another way is to work the short side of the arena in a serpentine. The short length of the available space helps rate them a bit so they do not get too speedy and you can just work your way up and down the length of the arena doing the serpentine jog.
Just another thing to do to avoid them getting bored...end up with the same result

Reckless I never pictured you as a Zen type

recklesshoundog · 01-11-2007, 06:43 AM

Only on the back of a horse!

Mule Fool · 01-11-2007, 08:42 AM

I also use alot of circles, figure eights, serpentines. All with an eye to making sure they don't fall into the circle by dropping the inside shoulder. Do that for a bit til you get the pace you want then go back to the outside rail if he starts to speed up go into a smaller circle and just keep working at it. I don't want to be constantly in their face trying to slow them on a straight away. Before you do that in a session you might want to really trot out and push for a long stride and post then when you go into the smaller circles sit then move back onto the wall and move out and go back to posting. At some point you will feel that you could keep that slower gait as you move back to the wall so keep it for as many strides as you can without fighting, then back into the smaller circle. The transitions in speed are really helpful too.

NHIceGSD · 01-11-2007, 09:49 AM

The half halt is one of the best aids a horse can have! It's just a gentle reminder "Hey, I'm still up here"!
Depending on your skill level,you can also use your seat and legs to regulate trot speed. I used to have a dressage instructer-from-hell who used to set a metronome in the middle of the ring, and made us keep time with the metronome at the trot only using our seat!

princesskristin · 01-11-2007, 04:44 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have done circles before and they have helped a lot and I will continue to do circles, etc.

JoAnne · 01-11-2007, 11:00 PM

also try breathing deeply and slowly- the horse feels your relaxation. if you are posting, try slowing your posting down too. the other's suggestions re circles and ground poles are great. it will happen!

royaldakotabreez · 01-11-2007, 11:28 PM

the way i've always been taught to do it is when you're in the saddle, stand up and stay there for as long as your legs can take it while the horse is trotting. then, sit down in the saddle and bounce. do NOT post. just sit. then, after a minute or so, stand up again. guaranteed your horse will think he's missed something. then sit down, and pretty soon, when you sit down, his leg speed will slow down, and when you lean forward/half stand, his legs will speed up. you want him to go at the fastest speed he can without breaking gait, and you want him to go as slow as he can without breaking gait. only pull on the reins if he does break gait.
hope this helps!

barnmom · 01-12-2007, 06:00 AM

half halt, half halt, half halt. and also quiet your post

my daughter rode a trakhener that was very heavy on the forehand and was a fast mover, and the bigger her post the faster she went, and it was all half halts

she was a pain to ride but taught her a lot about her riding and they learned to really enjoy each other

princesskristin · 01-12-2007, 11:46 PM

How do you quiet your post down? I have never heard that term before. Quiet your post?

JoAnne · 01-12-2007, 11:58 PM

re quietor post...try rising as little as possible from the saddle. try posting more slowly when he rushes around, it often will slow his movement down. to me, quieter post means rising as little as possible from the saddle, keeping everything soft when you lower down to the saddle, quiet hands etc. experiment, see what works with him!

EquineAlberta · 01-13-2007, 12:14 AM

You may also want to consider that poor saddle fit, or some other tack or soundness issue may also be causing your horse to trot too fast. I would start by checking the saddle, and by checking the horse's back, neck and mouth for soreness.

Two theories that seem to work for me on slowing the trot;

1) Post with the trot the horse has and just let them go for a bit, then very very subtle slow your post down like Joanne says. I think it is important though, that at first you post with your horse so he feels you are connected, and then you slow down so that he tries to stay connected with you.

2) Hold the reins so that they are tight between your thumb and index finger, but leave your other fingers slightly open, and then gentle squeeze one rein and then the other with the rhythm of the trot....left rein squeeze when the horse's left leg is forward, and right rein squeeze with the right is forward. The horse naturally swings its head a little left and right as it trots when relaxed, so by encouraging this swing you can help the horse relax, and better influence the rythm.

Karen2

01-10-2007, 09:44 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Need advice on teaching horse to slow at trot My horse has a fast trot, and it can be a little unbalancing sometimes, I was just wondering how to get him to slow his trot down, I have tried everything I can think of, any ideas of what to do. Thanks __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

01-10-2007, 09:51 PM
BornToRide Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,470	I think it's called check and release. If he gets too speedy, start gently applying pressure with the bit and gradually (but quickly) increase it until he gets at the speed you want. Then drop your reins to him. If he speeds back up, do it again. Even if you have to keep doing it over and over again, it'll keep his trot easier. __________________ There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.-Winston Churchill

01-10-2007, 09:59 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	The only thing I have to add to Born To Ride's idea is to start trotting him over poles. It will get him to pay attention to where he's putting his feet and pay attention to what he's doing and SLOW DOWN to do it. Start with one pole, move up to two and then three and so on. Before long, he'll be taking his time, paying attention to you and hopefully... slowing down. Good luck!

01-10-2007, 10:04 PM
recklesshoundog Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,549	Jog in smaller circles, relax and sit deep. People ask me all the time how I get my horses to jog so slow and round. A lot of it comes from just relaxing and sitting and breathing. I always say it's a zen thing. Circle when they start to build up steam. If your becoming unbalanced it usually means you've tightened up somewhere and might be unconciously moving him out. Half halts help but for a western horse I try to stay off their face as much as possible with the goal of a nice loose rein. Circles will be your best friend. I usually don't work straight on the rail at a trot for quite a while...too much space to build up steam. After a few quick steps it's off to another circle. It's takes a lot of balance and control for a horse to collect and it doesn't happen overnite. As with anything, time and consistancy!

01-10-2007, 10:16 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,771	Well another way is to work the short side of the arena in a serpentine. The short length of the available space helps rate them a bit so they do not get too speedy and you can just work your way up and down the length of the arena doing the serpentine jog. Just another thing to do to avoid them getting bored...end up with the same result Reckless I never pictured you as a Zen type __________________ In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. Aaron Rose

01-11-2007, 06:43 AM
recklesshoundog Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,549	Only on the back of a horse!

01-11-2007, 08:42 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I also use alot of circles, figure eights, serpentines. All with an eye to making sure they don't fall into the circle by dropping the inside shoulder. Do that for a bit til you get the pace you want then go back to the outside rail if he starts to speed up go into a smaller circle and just keep working at it. I don't want to be constantly in their face trying to slow them on a straight away. Before you do that in a session you might want to really trot out and push for a long stride and post then when you go into the smaller circles sit then move back onto the wall and move out and go back to posting. At some point you will feel that you could keep that slower gait as you move back to the wall so keep it for as many strides as you can without fighting, then back into the smaller circle. The transitions in speed are really helpful too.

01-11-2007, 09:49 AM
NHIceGSD Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 819	The half halt is one of the best aids a horse can have! It's just a gentle reminder "Hey, I'm still up here"! Depending on your skill level,you can also use your seat and legs to regulate trot speed. I used to have a dressage instructer-from-hell who used to set a metronome in the middle of the ring, and made us keep time with the metronome at the trot only using our seat! __________________ Be Something You Love and Understand~ Lynard Skynard

01-11-2007, 04:44 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Thanks everyone for your advice. I have done circles before and they have helped a lot and I will continue to do circles, etc. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

01-11-2007, 11:00 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	also try breathing deeply and slowly- the horse feels your relaxation. if you are posting, try slowing your posting down too. the other's suggestions re circles and ground poles are great. it will happen!

01-11-2007, 11:28 PM
royaldakotabreez Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. Dak Posts: 530	the way i've always been taught to do it is when you're in the saddle, stand up and stay there for as long as your legs can take it while the horse is trotting. then, sit down in the saddle and bounce. do NOT post. just sit. then, after a minute or so, stand up again. guaranteed your horse will think he's missed something. then sit down, and pretty soon, when you sit down, his leg speed will slow down, and when you lean forward/half stand, his legs will speed up. you want him to go at the fastest speed he can without breaking gait, and you want him to go as slow as he can without breaking gait. only pull on the reins if he does break gait. hope this helps!

01-12-2007, 06:00 AM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,876	half halt, half halt, half halt. and also quiet your post my daughter rode a trakhener that was very heavy on the forehand and was a fast mover, and the bigger her post the faster she went, and it was all half halts she was a pain to ride but taught her a lot about her riding and they learned to really enjoy each other

01-12-2007, 11:46 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	How do you quiet your post down? I have never heard that term before. Quiet your post? __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

01-12-2007, 11:58 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	re quietor post...try rising as little as possible from the saddle. try posting more slowly when he rushes around, it often will slow his movement down. to me, quieter post means rising as little as possible from the saddle, keeping everything soft when you lower down to the saddle, quiet hands etc. experiment, see what works with him!

01-13-2007, 12:14 AM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,688	You may also want to consider that poor saddle fit, or some other tack or soundness issue may also be causing your horse to trot too fast. I would start by checking the saddle, and by checking the horse's back, neck and mouth for soreness. Two theories that seem to work for me on slowing the trot; 1) Post with the trot the horse has and just let them go for a bit, then very very subtle slow your post down like Joanne says. I think it is important though, that at first you post with your horse so he feels you are connected, and then you slow down so that he tries to stay connected with you. 2) Hold the reins so that they are tight between your thumb and index finger, but leave your other fingers slightly open, and then gentle squeeze one rein and then the other with the rhythm of the trot....left rein squeeze when the horse's left leg is forward, and right rein squeeze with the right is forward. The horse naturally swings its head a little left and right as it trots when relaxed, so by encouraging this swing you can help the horse relax, and better influence the rythm. Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!