Horse Speeds

Letters > Horse Speeds/Speed Control "As soon as I ask for a trot, he thinks he really needs to get somewhere in a hurry."

Dear Keith... Saturday, September 8, 2007 I don't know if y'all answer questions from readers, but I'll just take a chance and ask one. I have read the slow down lesson. My horse (he's a 15 year old quarter Horse, has a great personality, and he's a pistol) is great at a walk, slow, fast, you name it. He has a wonderful slow trot. when I ask him to go from a walk to a trot in the round pen, he just picks up that slow trot and stays in it forever if I want him to. He only speeds up when asked. Different story out in the pasture. As soon as I ask for a trot, he thinks he really needs to get somewhere in a hurry. His head comes up, he pulls on the reins, and he goes into this fast trot that's not much fun. So, we go in circles or serpentines to slow him down, which always works and pretty soon he is back down to a walk. When I ask for a trot again, immediately he goes into the fast trot with the head up in the air. I ask for the head down by putting pressure on the reins and bracing my hands against the saddle, he will, after a few seconds, put his head down. As soon as I release the pressure, his head goes up again and he speeds up his trot. Do I just need to keep asking for his head down and a slower pace until he finally gets it, or is there anything else I should be doing, or not doing? Thank you very much. Siggi M

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