Slow Down Speedy

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Slow Down Speedy

Many riders struggle to slow down their horse as they speed up in their paces and through transitions, and many inexperienced riders try to slow down their mount by using a strong, harsh bit. Speedy ones also make some riders feel nervous. Let’s shed some light on why this steam-train problem occurs and look at some handy tips so that you can be more confidently in control in the saddle.

Why does my horse speed up?

1. He might be unbalanced, so he rushes or runs in an attempt to rebalance himself.

2. You might be unbalanced, for example tilting too far forward or to one side.

3. You might be giving your horse an aid he doesn’t understand, which causes him confusion and worry.

4. Your horse might be full of energy due to too much energy food and/or not enough turnout or exercise.

5. Your horse is maybe trying to get out of work and this rushing strategy might have worked in the past to get him out of it.

6. You may me kicking or gripping too much with your legs.

7. Your tack might not be fitting properly which causes your horse discomfort or pain, and he tries to run from it.

Although there are many different potential reasons for your horse speeding up, often the main reason is imbalance from either party.

Horses naturally push all their weight towards the front of their bodies. They carry about 60% of their bodyweight on their forelegs. This is what causes him to fall forward onto his forehand and start rushing through his paces - he is trying to rebalance himself and keep himself upright.

This is why you, as the rider, will need to train your horse and yourself to stay in balance and help him move more weight onto his hindquarters.

Many people try to slow down their mount by using a stronger bit. This 'short-cut' can hurt your horse if you are not experienced or balanced enough to use a strong

bit. A horse who hurts in his mouth will only run faster and pull harder! There is no quick fix when it comes to schooling properly.

There is no need for strong bits and feeling nervous. By using your position and the doing plenty of transitions and flexion-work, half-halt, and staying calm, you can stay

in speed control and enjoy your ride.

Transitions and flexion (bending)

These are two of the very best schooling techniques to get your horse collecting himself and slowing down. When you are gently flexing your horse’s head,

changing direction regularly, and changing gait often, your horse has to listen to you, to focus on the work, and he cannot grab hold of the bit to lean down and

power forward as he would on a straight line. He will also not be able to guess what happens next; so he will be less likely to get bored and 'nap out of the arena!

If you pull the reins, he will just pull back!

So slow down using the different job tasks.

Half-halting

A useful riding aid to balance and slow your horse, is the half-halt. Half-halting lets your horse know you are about to ask him to do something; stops him from leaning on the bit; regains control over him when he gets a bit strong; shortens his stride and collects and shortens his frame; and improves and builds his top-line (the muscles that run over the top of his neck, back and quarters). Half-halting is a handy skill to

have in all disciplines of riding.

Tips to perform a correct half-halt

Remember your position at all times. Keep your shoulder in line with your hip, and your hip in line with your heel.

Never pull on your horse’s mouth, especially when you use the half-halt. This will simply cause him to pull back on your hands.

Always make sure you know what you want and you are giving clear aids that explain what you want. A half-halt means, pay attention, we are going to something different. A half- halt doesn’t mean stop, it means slow down momentarily and listen to what I’m going to ask next. It is to rebalance.

Remember that you don’t need to use leg during a half halt. By simply using good posture and a squeeze on the rains, you will get your horse to rebalance himself, raising his shoulder, arching his neck, softening his head and becoming lighter on his

forehand as he keeps going.

How to half-halt

1. Think slow: tell yourself in your mind that you want to slow down for a second to rebalance, while you are sponging on the rein. By doing this, your body-language will change and will tell your horse that you want to slow down as he feels you move.

2. Position, position: make sure that you are sitting straight up, especially through transitions. Sit deep in the saddle so that you can feel your horse’s back.

(Imagine you have a heavy backpack on. If it tips you forward, you have to tilt and run forward to stop falling over - this is what happens to your horse if you lean forward over his front legs.)

3. Sponge: start by squeezing, then releasing your outside

rein as if it were a sponge, to control speed, while directing and bending him with the inside rein you will have a better response and a

smoother transition.

4 Praise him: the second your horse slows down, and rebalances, reward

him immediately with your voice and by lightening your hold on the reins.

Good luck with slowing Speedy down!