My little morgan mare loves to trot at WARP SPEED. I halt her any time she goes into warp speed, and sometimes ask her to back up as well… but it seems to make her resentful and she goes right back to warp speed when we pick up the trot again.
What would be a better way to correct her rushing? Should I be turning her in small circles until she slows? Turning her into the wall? Asking for a walk transition instead? Something else?
A horse that runs/rushes is out of balance…kinda like when you start walking down a steep hill, loose your balance and walk faster…and faster…and faster…then fall down.
The diagnosis is lack of balance, then the rider needs to help the horse develop balance carrying a rider. I suggest walk-trot transitions…preferably on a loose rein, from the voice…then walk-trot-whoa-walk.
As she gets better…or if she doesn’t like transitions, then put her shoulder-in and shoulder-out then straight, then walk.
Thank you!
IME, rushing is either caused be tension or balance problems, but usually a combination of both.
When the horse is experiences a balance challenge,he starts to move his legs quicker (like you would do if you tripped). Riders often react by taking hold of the reins. This makes the horses balance worse as he relies on his head and neck for balance.
Start by making trot-walk-trot transitions teaching your horse to maintain a soft contact throughout. You will need to make the trot walk transition with your core, not the reins. Once the horse learns this, go trot-almost walk-trot. You now have your half halt
[QUOTE=dudleyc;8946707]
IME, rushing is either caused be tension or balance problems, but usually a combination of both.
When the horse is experiences a balance challenge,he starts to move his legs quicker (like you would do if you tripped). Riders often react by taking hold of the reins. This makes the horses balance worse as he relies on his head and neck for balance.
Start by making trot-walk-trot transitions teaching your horse to maintain a soft contact throughout. You will need to make the trot walk transition with your core, not the reins. Once the horse learns this, go trot-almost walk-trot. You now have your half halt[/QUOTE]
I totally gripped with the reins which creates this vicious loop of tension. When we are working in the arena alone it’s a much smaller issue, but she was really really quick and tense when we were working in the indoor with 5 other horses the other night. I assume it’s because she was nervous. I reacted wrong by cranking her down to a halt to correct her, which made her defiant and more anxious and created a whole vicious circle. I tried putting her on a small circle when she rushed and that did actually seem to help. I will work on the trot walk transitions tonight and see where that gets us 
Shoulder in is very helpful as it helps the horse to balance and bring the hind legs up under the body. As soon as she starts to speed up - way before she reaches warp speed - do shoulder in, rebalance, get the rhythm you want, then go straight again. Rinse and repeat.
But do make sure her saddle fits as many horses will rush away on their forehand when the saddle is uncomfortable.
Is the horse young and green? How much turnout is she getting? Does she rush at the other gaits or only at the trot?
Although it can very well be a balance issue, sometimes I see horses rushing and doing things like this when they simply have a lot of adrenaline running from being cooped up more than they would like.
Lots of good advice already.
If the quick-trot comes from young horse tension, I’ve had a lot of success with a ribbon-candy exercise. Basically, lots of serpentine loops back and forth across the arena act like pony Valium. You can mix things up by asking for counter-flexion, and changing flexion across the centerline every time.
I’ve had the least luck with constant 20m circles or long straight stretches. Keep them turning, and avoid the rushing entirely.
Once they’re more advanced, shoulder-fore or shoulder-in is helpful; I’ve also had good success with leg yield from quarterline to rail to quarterline to rail (etc.).
One last thought: if yours is a horse that relaxes with movement, let her have some steps of lengthened trot in a lower tempo before asking her to come back and work on figures again. You’re not bottling her up the whole time, you’re just channeling that energy. I had a lot of success with that method for my hot and spicy GRP mare.
[QUOTE=luvmydutch;8946720]
I totally gripped with the reins which creates this vicious loop of tension. When we are working in the arena alone it’s a much smaller issue, but she was really really quick and tense when we were working in the indoor with 5 other horses the other night. I assume it’s because she was nervous. I reacted wrong by cranking her down to a halt to correct her, which made her defiant and more anxious and created a whole vicious circle. I tried putting her on a small circle when she rushed and that did actually seem to help. I will work on the trot walk transitions tonight and see where that gets us :)[/QUOTE]
Don’t be discouraged if it takes several rides to get the hang of the trot-walk-trot. This is not an easy fix problem and training takes time.
Also be careful about too much drilling. Try a few do something else, try a few more
When you halted her, you probably were not “finishing” the transition. It is not enough to just stop the feet. The reins stay on until the horse also “gives” in the jaw and neck. In horses new to the concept you can stand there for a minute or more with the reins still on before the horse finally gives.
If you let them move forward again while they are still “bursting at the seams” in the halt they just learn to keep the tension rather than release it.
Also, if the horse is rushing off again when you pick up the trot, you don’t have to buy what she is selling. Picture in your mind the first step being slow and gentle, as if their are baby birds around her feet. If the first step is a big rush, calmly halt again and wait for her to “finish” the halt. Then imagine a calm, gentle step forward and ask for that. Repeat until she can do 3 slo mo trot steps, and then walk.
Also, if your transitions are rough or angry it adds tension. They should be firm, but calm.
Lastly, the goal should be to get these transitions off your seat with no reins. So always ask with your seat forst and then reinforce thtmat request with your reins. You should always be riding the pace with your seat. The reins only go on to the bring the horse back under your seat, and then they LET GO to test if the horse will stay under your seat by itself.
This is also a finished halt- if you bring the horse to a halt can you toss the reins at its ears and it will stay put? If you released and the horse didn’t stay put, you weren’t done with your halt.
The HALTS need to go all the way through before you can start with half halts. Your issue is that nothing you are doing with your seat and reins is going through to the feet.
Have you tried slowing your posting?
Sometimes it’s as simple as posting slower - to your tempo, not hers.
Agree the walk/trot/walk transitions are helpful as well - keeps her thinking about what will be asked next.
I am using this on a 20m circle to help my TWH stay in trot.
Works a treat.
He gets so focused on paying attention he doesn’t fall into the Mixmaster trot/gait (also nearing the sound barrier) that can be his fallback.
When she is calm, slowing my posting will bring her back down to a slower trot. When she’s anxious and in a new situation, that doesn’t even register to her.
You’ve received a lot of good advice and I realize as well as anyone that tension can produce what you’re dealing with regardless of breed or level of training. However, I’m going to speak to the elephant in the room…I’ve had the epitome of the ‘roadster’ trot both in Morgan form and in the ultimate ('cause there’s more weight and power behind it) the welsh cob form. As stated, you’ve received lots and lots of good suggestions. You have a breed that has been bred for the trot. It is their ‘go to’ whether they are nervous, giving it their all, or simply blowing off steam. Tension, apprehension, anxiety, trying hard to please or anticipation can all translate to a faster trot and that is in no way equating to them being disobedient or ‘bad’. Developing your seat so that she does listen to it - slowing the post, all transitions coming from the seat is definitely key and will help in the long run to prevent her from always starting out at her ‘go to’ speed BUT it takes time and consistency. Also as a lot of people have mentioned, lateral work appropriate for the level of training is absolutely necessary and will keep her mind engaged as well as help keep her supple. You need her ‘soft’ in all areas - longitudinally (relaxed over her back), laterally and between the ears.
In addition to this, it helps a lot and lessens their frustration if you do a lot of transitions within the gait as well as transitions from one gait to another and again it really needs to come from your seat …always…it has to be black and white. Even if you’re giving her a break on the long rein, she needs to be forward down into the bridle and listening to your seat. It’s the sometimes I demand it and sometimes I don’t that frustrates them. If she’s not listening to your seat, one or two reminders with the hand may be necessary but I would suggest trying to use the lateral work to supple her first and then see if she starts to slow down and listen and then try the actual downward transition. Changing directions often and allowing frequent forward and down in between the more demanding work will help. Use it as a reward.
Develop a sense of a routine like this and if it works at home DO NOT forget it when you’re away from home. It will become their security blanket. This all works if you don’t get tense and frustrated (easier said than done). Be the leader and just keep asking, changing direction and keep asking and it will come. This is coming from one who had a welsh cob x MORGAN mare that kept my butt safe many a times but definitely was a trotting machine and I adored her. Good luck and remember to have fun.
Do lots of supplying work at the walk. Serpentines leg yield shoulder fore until she is relaxed and listening to your aids.
Make sure you have a good working walk before you ask for trot work.
You are probably being a bit defensive when you ask for the transition to the trot because you have grown to expect her rushing.
You are probably leaning forward and tipping your shoulders forward so she rushes because she’s tense and because she is trying to keep under you.
Really concentrate on keeping your shoulders over your hips and keep your breathing soft and regular.
A good exercise for this is to trot for two steps and walk. Trot two steps and walk.
You can also have someone longe you on her if you feel comfortable with the idea. You can experiment on using your core for upward transitions without feeling like you are out of control.
Also don’t press on the gas and brake at the same time: it evokes a lack of merriment in your horse.
When you apply the aid allow the horse to move forward.
And don’t drill and drill on this. When you get a relaxed transition reward her by doing something else.
If she rushes when you ask for the trot just ask for the walk and work on that until she relaxes and then try again.
If you do not have a good walk you are not going to get a good trot.
Work on preparing for your upward transitions: shoulders over your hips breathe evenly engage your core without tensing up.
Hope this helps. Good luck and good riding.
I agree with exvet. I have a Welsh pony that like to go mach 10 in trot. It starts as soon as the saddle goes on. He gets stress. Likely how the previous owner dealt with him. I walk him to the ring and talk to him. We circle a few times and I tighten the girth. I can hear his breathing start to relax. I mount up and with this guy I take my time walking him into a nice relaxing soft contact and when his breathing has relaxed I go into trot. He started with not knowing a half halt. I did ride bending lines and w/t transitions and halts. I ride with a bit of inside flexion for the transitions to keep him round and on the bit. I am really starting to enjoy him and we are developing a great partnership. He isn’t nasty just energetic and has tension. Once that is worked out with our slow warm up the rest of the ride becomes easier.
Just keep building on it each ride.
Sounds like you truly understand what the breed is all about She’s a GOOD girl and i love her to absolute bits and pieces. I normally ride her alone at home in a field and we can just focus on each other and she has given me rides so serene and perfect they have literally brought me to tears :). We just moved to a new place, and are using the indoor to stay in work for the winter. Riding with other horses is so new to her and definitely freaks her out. We ride with 5+ other horses…some of which are practicing barrels and galloping sprint sets around the arena. She gets worried and tense and it’s because she is scared and worried.
If we have the arena to ourselves, i can work her long and low at all 3 gaits, relaxed, supple, great tempo. When the other horses are in there all of that changes…but that is good exposure for her as well. I think I was being a bit too forceful in my corrections the other night, and realize now that I need to use a more tactful approach in order to correct her.
Something that is really resonating with me from all these posts is that we are either on a straight line down the long side, or doing a 20 meter circle. I think part of our issue is that i’m not doing enough serpentines or changes of direction to keep her from building too much forward momentum. I do lots of leg yielding with her, lots of suppling of the poll, neck and shoulders, and lots of circle spirals. She responds to my inside leg when she’s relaxed by telescoping FDO and really lifting her back.
I think my course of action when we are in the arena with all the cowgirls will be to work on lots of changes of direction, lots of trot, walk, trot (i always try to do this off my seat…hand is just for a correction), or trot, walk, halt, walk trot. More transitions within the trot (i do this as well but she doesn’t listen well when she is nervous…and if i start getting in to a battle with it by halting her for not listening…the tension mounts!). If she doesn’t respond to my request to slow the trot, I will bring her to a walk using my seat and voice (and 1 rein if a correction is needed instead of pulling on both). Sound like a plan?
You are not just riding with 5+ other horses. You’re having to content with some excitement in the arena with folks practicing barrels and galloping sprint sets around the arena. Most good horses would gets worried and tense because they are scared and worried as this is new exposure to them.
My pony would likely go mach 10 in the other direction. Too bad you can ride with similar riders like yourself. Can you schedule your ride time when barrel practice isn’t going on?
It depends on my schedule and what time i can get to the barn. I don’t mind riding with the girls as it’s great exposure for my horse, even if it does make her nervous.
I had this horse! A little Morgan, poor start, so she trotted super fast AND she was afraid of contact… Started out with a “western pleasure Morgan” trainer - that was a fiasco. She turned out to be a super little horse.
I taught her to slow down from voice commands to start with - whoaaaaaaa means slow, sharp WHOA means stop. Started on the ground - in hand and lunging. Then went to the saddle. I started in a small arena (round pen style) so she couldn’t get up a head of steam on a straight away. If I pulled on her face, she got very upset, so it was very light contact and voice commands - we would trot a few steps, then whooaaaaaaa back to the walk, then trot a few steps, then whooaaaaa back to walk. Once she got that, it got a bit easier.
The other thing that really helped (believe it or not!) was ground poles, and eventually jumps - she LOVED it , and it actually got her to open up her stride which helped to slow down the overall fast movement. Ground pole - walk over it, then trot, with whoaaaaa after the pole. Until she was comfortable going over it slowly. Then small jump - I actually started these free jumping in that same small round pen - until she got the idea that slower was better.
It took several months, but that little mare turned out to be awesome - not a fancy mover, but just a great little riding horse. She is a nice little “all arounder” now, does some trail riding, some low level everything.
[QUOTE=luvmydutch;8946901]
Something that is really resonating with me from all these posts is that we are either on a straight line down the long side, or doing a 20 meter circle. I think part of our issue is that i’m not doing enough serpentines or changes of direction to keep her from building too much forward momentum. I do lots of leg yielding with her, lots of suppling of the poll, neck and shoulders, and lots of circle spirals. She responds to my inside leg when she’s relaxed by telescoping FDO and really lifting her back.[/QUOTE]
I had a hot OTTB… chestnut no less.
A 20m circle exercise I started using… think of the circle as a pie cut into 4 pieces/quarters. At each quarter, do something… halt, walk from trot, trot from walk,… but keep doing something different at each quarter, and just for that quarter of the 'pie and then change at the next quarter for that quarter.
You can do it on the rail as well… every 6 strides, every 10… however many you choose change it up.
Another exercise I learned from my instructors instructor… the 20m circle should take 24 strides… 6 in each quarter.
So get on your circle and count… 1,2,3,4,5,6… 1,2,3,4,5,6,…
Those 6’s should be at each quarter of the 20m.
It really helps you get a consistent pace/rhythm
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