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[RC] Slowing down speedy horse? - kit kat

Walk? What do you mean WALK? I cant walk. That is something I dont do!

Ok, yeah, thats what my horse says EVERY ride. Before my mare foaled out, she was a little speedy. But now, after she has foaled out, her first gear is broken. She is a standardbred mare. She was raced for 3 yrs, earning $19,000 in winnings. Then she was used as a broodmare till present. I got her last year at the age of 13 and she wasnt broke(didnt know this at the time) and started riding her. She has come a LONG way. But, she still is a pacer. She has ALOT of speed in her and knows it. Now when I ride her, its like a battle of wills. She rarely walks, but instead does a really slow pace(comfortable as heck, but still, I dont want her to do it.) She will eat along the trail, but halting, not something she will do when out on a trail. At home, she halts and walks just fine. But, when we get out, she seems to want to go fast the whole time. When I do let her pace, its like a regular horses canter, and i have to hold her in all the time. So, last ride, I let her have her head the whole way, except for dangerous spots and when I felt she SHOULD be walking. When we arrived(tried to make her walk about 1/4 a mile in, but she still did her little jig pace), her pulse rate was just above 60. Then after hosing her down and letting her graze for 6 mins, her pulse rate was down to 48. Now, I ask, how do I get her to slow down? And is her wanting to go fast all the time ok? I worry that she is going to do damage to herself because she dosnt want to walk. But, I feel our battle for a walk is doing more damage then just letting her pace. Because she sweats more and bobs her head more when i hold her back then when i let her go her speed. Any info would be helpful and hints would be good. I am going to do a CTR on her in september. Its a 15 miler. Hope this isnt a stupid question.

Sarah and Penny
Chilliwack bc canada.

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