Horse who trots too fast...how do you teach them to go slower?

[SugarRush]

[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]

It sounds like she is just distracted/excited from the prospect of riding with others and has some baby ADD going on. The goal here should be to focus back on you, and I agree with the other posters above–serpentines are :encouragement:

Start with a three loop with a circle at each end (small enough to keep her focus on you). If the three loop is too easy, move to 4. If 20m circles are too big and she’s speedy/looky/evasive because she would rather look at the other horses, go to 10-15m. If she suddenly anticipates your aids for the 4 loop so she can worry about what everyone else is doing, figure 8 right now or trot-canter-trot transition. I don’t use walk-trot, sometimes it just gets them more jacked up.

If you move to go down the long side for a break and there is too much speed, shoulder-in or fore asap. Keep leg on and let her figure her own speedy legs out while moving laterally.

My only ring is a 1 acre field shared with other riders and I have a 5 year old OTTB, these exercises are sometimes all that keeps us from launching into the stratosphere.

[betsyk]

I can absolutely picture what you’re dealing with - it’s a Morgan thing, and it’s not a Morgan thing because my non-Morgan (though she does sort of look like one!) does it too. One instructor says it’s a half-halt issue, meaning that I need to find a way to give a half-halt through my seat, core, triceps, whatever that doesn’t involve pulling on the reins to slow her down, and be proactive with it - use the half halt before she gets established in the sewing machine trot to get the power over her back and through. If she’s correct, she can be allowed to move forward a little more. We do lots of spirals, serpentines, changes of direction, transitions, pretty much anything other than cruising along the rail or making endless circles in the same place. The good news: it’s working, and we haven’t had a sewing machine episode in quite a while.

[sdlbredfan]

How tall is she? Remember, most Morgans have shorter legs than, for example, the average TB or Warmblood. Shorter legs = shorter strides = quicker step.

I agree with all the folks who say this is likely to be both a balance/strength and (likely inadvertent) pilot/rider error.

Do you ever use long-lining? You might want to look into installing various speeds, stride lengths, and degrees of collection or extension in lines. That removes the issue of her having to balance a rider until the concepts are understood in the lines.

[beowulf]

Ahh… the Morgan Mambo… I know that trot well

The best thing I found to help was to have a purpose; holding onto their face and constantly reeling them back will serve no purpose but to make you and Morgan upset… Make sure you are not contributing inadvertently by pitching forward, tensing, clamping down on the reins, etc. I find that Morgans especially, they don’t really care about the ‘negative’ reinforcement – but they will do just about anything for the positive reinforcement. This is a double edged sword because it can be real frustrating when you’re working on setting up a nice tempo and your nice Morgan mount throws everything but the kitchen sink at you (“FASTER?? OK?? IS THIS GOOD? FASTER OK?? OK!”) before they realize what you want.

The best thing I’ve found with them is rewarding heavily the good moments (Morments) and ignoring entirely the bad ones (for now, anyway). So when the horse gets jittery and sets cruise control for Mach Speed 5, open the inside rein and do a casual, soft, open rein back, figure eight, a serpentine, whatever it is that gets them to soften and slow down: and when they do you release and praise heavily. The first time it will only be one or two steps at a normal speed and that is okay. Build on the positives. I agree that it is a tension and balance issue: performing simple patterns should help rebalance her and get you two back on track for a good, calm ride.

I’ve reformed one Morgan that was REALLY tough: she was heavy-mouthed from an old rider, tense, and FAST - Merrylegs on coke. What got her down to a nice medium trot was letting go of her face entirely, having a gentle inside guiding rein, and working on figure eights with a nice walk across the diagonal every time. I used my voice often; would count the tempo and no matter what, would resist the temptation to “reel her in” with my reins.

I just saw the post about the riders yahooing in the ring. You gotta set her up for success, not failure. The days they’re cavorting about, don’t put her nose to the grindstone and expect a decent day’s work - that will just make her more tense and worried about the antics. Take the day to just chill in the ring with them, walk around while they’re doing their thing and you’re doing yours… do this UNTIL she accepts they are okay… and then you can expect to get the soft rides out of her that she gives you alone. You got to prove to her that she doesn’t have a reason to be worried: but when you ride her around while she’s tense/upset without addressing the underlying issue, it’ll feed her conviction that she has a good reason to be worried.

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=sdlbredfan;8947276]
How tall is she? Remember, most Morgans have shorter legs than, for example, the average TB or Warmblood. Shorter legs = shorter strides = quicker step.

.[/QUOTE]

You know, I haven’t found that to be totally true - I’ve seen plenty of Warmbloods (especially the older style Dutch horses!) that were short legged, sausage type - but still had plenty of reach and scope. With the Morgan, it can be more about tight back, and sometimes tight elbow, which makes for that shorter, more upright step. So a big part of it is getting the horse to relax and eventually, work over its back. And Morgans tend to be uber work-aholics with lots of energy and a very quick brain - so one of the big tricks is to get them to focus and relax.

I’ve ridden a few that were super fancy once they gave up the back and took some deep breaths!

[DressageTalk]

Exvet had some good points. I rode a young Icelandic pony who as built to trot as well, specifically to tolt, so he would often race at the trot because of tension. My initial reaction like many people here mentioned was to do a lot of transitions, but this seemed to just amp him up more. I got the best result when I spent time simply spiraling in and out on a circle, and doing a lot of figure eights. It seemed to get him concentrating on what we were doing and eliminate the tension that was causing him to “run” at the trot.

[Beentheredonethat]

Everyone gave lots of good ideas. I just thought I’d add something to think about no one touched on. When I got my older mare, she had a mach 10 trot (and canter and walk) and was super anxious. I could tell from old video of her she had been held in. Rather than slow her down, I let he go forward. Then, when she slowed, I pushed her forward again until finally when I asked her to slow, she WANTED it.

Fighting her to slow down made it worse. It wasn’t the most fun to do mach 10 trot for 45 minutes at first, but she quickly learned I wasn’t going to stop her and that it was a lot of work. And then the next step is going forward in circles, etc., which is a LOT more work than slowing down. They quickly learn to regulate themselves.

It’s contradictory thinking, but sometimes the way to slow down is to go forward.

I only ride her once or twice a year now as I ride her daughters and she has sponsors who ride. I got on her yesterday for the first time in six months. She was short and quick in her trot. I pushed her forward until she slowed it down and lengthened her step.

[kande04]

[QUOTE=luvmydutch;8946761]
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.[/QUOTE]

You just put your finger right on the problem, and of course, calm is the hardest to get because the more we try to control them the more worked up they get.

The most effective strategy is to change the environment so that she doesn’t get worked up to start with, or if that ship has sailed, then change it as best you can to get her calmed down again. Sometimes taking them out of the situation and letting them calm down and then gradually re-introducing them is the best strategy.

[snaffled]

When my horse gets like this, as others have suggested, I like doing serpentines/circles, going over/around obstacles, lots of transitions, just keep his mind active and guessing as to what I’m going to ask for next. Slowing my post also helps a lot, when they get going fast and tense, I used to try to speed up to stay with his rhythm. When I learned to relax and slow down, I found that he did too!

I’ve also been working on getting my horse to collect/extend his trot while on the lunge using a slow, drawn-out “trrrooootttt” to get him to collect and “TroT” (really emphasizing the T’s in the word) to get him to trot out more.

[merrygoround]

This horse has not learned to listen to your seat. However a tense rushing horse cannot hear you. Rather than trying to stop her, first ask for circles, large ones in the beginning, then serpentines and spiral circles which will help occupy her mind, and relax her.

Only then, simply doing trot- halt transitions, initially with a very strong hand and leg will explain what you want, but after the first few transitions with a strong, sharp hand, try just asking with your seat and leg. Remember your legs are part of the equation and must stay on while your seat halts. If she pauses in stride, she’s beginning to understand, pat her, trot on in a circle, and ask again quietly on the circle. It may take a lot of patient tries, but relaxation is your first goal, then she will she listen and learn.

[beowulf]

I read OP’s post and I think she’s focusing too much on the negative/bad – AKA “too fast” “not good enough” “not what I want” - see, that’s not how a Morgan’s mind works… when you escalate an aid (brisk/sharp half-halt, etc) they’ll answer with an escalated response… it’s just how they’re made. They do not do anything halfway.

In my opinion Morgans are their own type of horse and require sometimes, a lot of clever and tactful riding to outsmart them.

I think OP needs to focus on the positive instead, instead of “punishing” the horse for not listening/focusing on the bad. AKA Trot too fast, bring back to walk - that’s not the right answer for a Morgan because they just think they’re being asked to walk now, not go slower. Trot and trot and trot with figure eights and serpentines until the horse gets the trot you want - praise lavishly, go straight, and when they start to pick up the pace again try a circle/figure eight/serpentine again… You can start to teach them a halfhalt this way, by trotting, coming off the rail in a small circle and sitting deeper and asking with your seat to slow, maybe some light vibration of the rein or a “aaaaand sloww…” and when they slow down, praise and then send them forward again.

Part of riding a Morgan is keeping their minds busy and delineating their thoughts by giving them a purpose/puzzle to figure out - you won’t keep their mind busy by bringing them back to a walk every time they go too fast.

[luvmydutch]

That’s not true at all.I love this horse and am constantly talking to her and searching for moments to praise her. She had one bad night because we were in a new situation and I realized my tactic for addressing it didn’t work…and was merely seeking some advice from others who have dealt with it for some fresh perspective.

As I had mentioned in a prior post, we have been doing too much in terms of straight lines and big circles, and my corrections for rushing aren’t working. I think you are probably right in your assessment. And I’m not trying to address her in a negative way, no but was seeking a different tactic to help her find the right answer. I think yours is a good one so thank you.

More serpentines, changes of direction and trying to find speed control laterally instead of longitudinally and as always…generous praise for the right answer is how I’m definitely going to approach her. We had an off night this isn’t her way of going every day…but rushing is her go-to when scared.

[QUOTE=beowulf;8947625]
I read OP’s post and I think she’s focusing too much on the negative/bad – AKA “too fast” “not good enough” “not what I want” - see, that’s not how a Morgan’s mind works… when you escalate an aid (brisk/sharp half-halt, etc) they’ll answer with an escalated response… it’s just how they’re made. They do not do anything halfway.

In my opinion Morgans are their own type of horse and require sometimes, a lot of clever and tactful riding to outsmart them.

I think OP needs to focus on the positive instead, instead of “punishing” the horse for not listening/focusing on the bad. AKA Trot too fast, bring back to walk - that’s not the right answer for a Morgan because they just think they’re being asked to walk now, not go slower. Trot and trot and trot with figure eights and serpentines until the horse gets the trot you want - praise lavishly, go straight, and when they start to pick up the pace again try a circle/figure eight/serpentine again… You can start to teach them a halfhalt this way, by trotting, coming off the rail in a small circle and sitting deeper and asking with your seat to slow, maybe some light vibration of the rein or a “aaaaand sloww…” and when they slow down, praise and then send them forward again.

Part of riding a Morgan is keeping their minds busy and delineating their thoughts by giving them a purpose/puzzle to figure out - you won’t keep their mind busy by bringing them back to a walk every time they go too fast.[/QUOTE]

[Ambitious_Kate]

My horse did the same thing when I first got him, short steps not tracking up, anxious. My trainer pointed out to me that it was because he wasn’t strong and was off balance. Shehad me put him on a longe line. At first he trotted wildly on the long line. I chose a slow rhythm and just began to click under my breath that rhythm. I stayed very quiet and very calm. Made some “downward” sounds in my throat. Basically let him trot round and round until he got tired and began to slow down. I didn’t let him walk, asked him to “trrrrrot!” and my trainer told me every horse has his own rhythm, and he will find it. After a good while, he began to trot a nice, breath-saving, ground covering trot. His head came down. A horse on a longe line will respond to your breathing. I breathed long and slow. So did he. when he was trotting his nice rhythm, we stopped and called it a day.

Pretty soon evertime he
got on the longe he would look for that nice, peaceful metronome rhythm. we used that as the foundation of his training. From that rhythmic trot, came his working and sitting trots, etc. Same eventually with the canter.

A longe is a place where a horse can find his own balance without your weight. To get strong.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=luvmydutch;8947691]
That’s not true at all.I love this horse and am constantly talking to her and searching for moments to praise her. She had one bad night because we were in a new situation and I realized my tactic for addressing it didn’t work…and was merely seeking some advice from others who have dealt with it for some fresh perspective.

As I had mentioned in a prior post, we have been doing too much in terms of straight lines and big circles, and my corrections for rushing aren’t working. I think you are probably right in your assessment. And I’m not trying to address her in a negative way, no but was seeking a different tactic to help her find the right answer. I think yours is a good one so thank you.

More serpentines, changes of direction and trying to find speed control laterally instead of longitudinally and as always…generous praise for the right answer is how I’m definitely going to approach her. We had an off night this isn’t her way of going every day…but rushing is her go-to when scared.[/QUOTE]

I’m totally not giving you flack - just trying to offer my own two cents about how I read what you wrote – take what works for you and leave the rest

[J-Lu]

[QUOTE=luvmydutch;8947691]
That’s not true at all.I love this horse and am constantly talking to her and searching for moments to praise her. She had one bad night because we were in a new situation and I realized my tactic for addressing it didn’t work…and was merely seeking some advice from others who have dealt with it for some fresh perspective.

As I had mentioned in a prior post, we have been doing too much in terms of straight lines and big circles, and my corrections for rushing aren’t working. I think you are probably right in your assessment. And I’m not trying to address her in a negative way, no but was seeking a different tactic to help her find the right answer. I think yours is a good one so thank you.

More serpentines, changes of direction and trying to find speed control laterally instead of longitudinally and as always…generous praise for the right answer is how I’m definitely going to approach her. We had an off night this isn’t her way of going every day…but rushing is her go-to when scared.[/QUOTE]

You have gotten alot of good advice. I especially like cnm’s advice of a “ribbon serpentine”. Change of direction and always working the horse’s body and mind can go a long way towards relaxing horses who are tense and quick but also like to work. Riding big ovals and big circles are often not challenging enough for smart horses who are tense.

i also suggest putting down trot rails and randomly spaced rails. With the random rails, your horse can’t always predict your track and will lean that it is easier to follow your lead.

I also suggest not being afraid to let your horse stumble a bit. If your horse can’t do the corner well at his fast speed, or trips over the well-spaced trot poles, that’s all a learning experience for him. Let him teach himself to carry himself, and that it’s not so comfortable when he’s rushing. He’ll figure it out.

Also, if you are suddenly riding in an arena with 5 other horses, and he’s not used to it, he has a “right” to be upset by this. As you say, cranking him down isn’t going to calm him. Let him go “out of frame” and do exercises he knows like serpentines, leg yields, whatever, and as soon as he relaxes, call it a day. Praise him for being good in a “new” situation. Also, let him fall on his face if he’s not paying attention to you in this situation.

The only way you’re going to get him used to going with other horses…is to have him go with other horses. My horse has always been in an arena alone and was just a nut case with other horses. The best thing I did was to take him to “Open Horse Shows” for a year, entering the “English Pleasure” type classes. I earned a belt buckle! But most importantly, these shows were so freakishly chaotic in all ways, and the classes had everyone going in an oval together with usually at least one person being out of control, cutting you off or riding up your butt. At first, I thought I would die. By the end, my horse knew he could actually live through a whole lot (did I mention the freakin’ chaos that happens at these shows?) and while he didn’t like the situation, I could half-halt and ride him into submission and he just went with it. The plus side was that his gaits were electric and wow, I knew he was faking with his laziness at home! The other plus was that our work in the arena improved tremendously.

[Manni01]

not sure if I would do all these trot halt transitions right now. Sometimes you slow the horse down but kind of shut her down as well. I think your horse needs to start to use his back more, because then she will slow down automatically.

I would leg yields along the wall while walking, many of them. You don’t need to do the whole side down only a few steps until she gives in. Then you praise her. You can also leg yield along the diagonal. If you are really really good and soft during the walk you start to try it in trot. She will not be able to rush the leg yield because she will need to use her back in order to do the leg yield. And then try to keep that feeling during the trot.

You can also trot her over poles. thats a very very good excersise for getting her to use her back and to slow down

Good luck with her!!

[Kyrabee]

I have had (no longer an issue) a over active sewing machine little Iberian WB. One thing that helped was nose to the wall LY.
The wall helps control the forward without the rider having to resort to the reins. It also will put her focus outside the arena instead of worrying about all the other horses hubbub.

I would also lead her into the arena…no saddle…and a few tasty treats while the barrel racers are doing their thing and make it a good place. No expectations other than standing quietly. Of course…out of the line of travel of the other horses. She needs to not get wound up in the other stuff and it may take her awhile since she isn’t used to traffic, let alone speed games.

Good luck.
Susan

[luvmydutch]

Lots of good advice here…thank you all for your thoughtful input!!

[luvmydutch]

Hey guys…a quick update!! I worked on decreasing our circle size when she got too fast, and her release was to go out on a larger circle when she was doing a nice trot. It took her maybe 15 minutes to figure out that runaway trot got her taken into a tiny, hard circle, and nice trot was much less work. Thanks so much for all the advice! I can’t believe how well this worked!!

[SuzieQNutter]

This comes with experience.

The rider will learn what contact means.

Then the horse has to learn what contact means.

The rider will learn that you do not slow a horse down by pulling on the reins. Pulling on the reins means the horse will pull and go faster.

The rider will learn that you have to push a horse to slow it down. The rider will learn that riding a horse is a lot of hard work and you don’t just sit there!