Re: [RC] Slowing down speedy horse? - DESERTRYDR1Teach her to walk. It's a lot of work, but worth it. There are places where it's unsafe to go faster than a walk, and she should do what YOU want, anyway. I have an Arabian mare who is about the same. She HATES to walk in company, particularly if she isn't the lead horse. I found my mare will walk fairly reliably on a loose rein, so I make her walk, and give her a loose rein. It's really helpful to start this exercise in an arena, or some other confined spot, rather than out on the trail, so that she gets in her head that you will give her a loose rein when she walks. If she breaks into a jig, bring her down fairly sharply, then give her a loose rein when she walks again. Sometimes we get 2 steps, sometimes we get 10, sometimes we get a nice steady walk. With this method you have to be absolutely persistent, never let her take a step of jig. Eventually she will realize that it's more comfortable to just walk along. (Sometimes eventually is months to years, and sometimes you have to go back and reschool, particularly if you ever let her get away with jigging because you are out with other people or are not paying as much attention) It helps if you have a nice hill that you can let her run (pace or trot or whatever faster gait you want) up, right near the start of the ride. That way she can get some of the excess energy out of her system, and may be more willing to walk. It also helps if you have sympathetic riding buddies who don't mind if you school a lot. My girlfriend or I always have to school about something, though not necessarily the same thing, so we will always wait for the other, or whatever. My mare also just likes to GO, GO, GO. She loves to go fast, and sometimes I think she goes fast just to get it over with, but here lately, the closer we get to the end of the ride, the slower she goes. We usually get off and walk the last 1/2 to 1 mile, and my mare walks really fast until we get in sight of the trailer, then she pokes along and I almost have to drag her. So maybe I'm just not riding her long enough to suit her. I wouldn't worry about damaging your mare by not letting her go as fast as she wants. She HAS to learn to listen and do what you ask her. There are times that both of your safety, even lives may depend on you being able to control her speed. jeri =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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