My suggestion is that your NAW needs to get into the slow, lazy way of thinking, and always have something to do, like findeight said. Anything that requires him to think about what he’s doing or he’ll fall down. Since he’s only 3, I’d make all circles/serpentines large, go over lots of poles, take leisurely trail rides, do some in-hand work through pole mazes, etc. JMHO.
What does your typical ride consist of?
I would ride him like he’s 3, not like he’s a veteran, and I would do things to keep him mentally engaged. Serpentines, leg yields, spiral in and out. Most important, at his age, would be nice LONG hacks out on the buckle. Give him more time to develop mentally and physically before you start trying to package him into the cookie-cutter hunter.
Robby
My 3 year old NAW is adorable and I love him tons! However, everything he does is quick…he never seems “relaxed and quiet” unless I gallop him for 1/2 hour in the polo field first.
I think he may have “Attn. Def. Dis.” if he were a person.
Questions: Will he grow out of this? Is it bad to let him gallop and get tired b/f working/training on him? (I don’t have a lunge line – believe more in the “human lunge line!”) LOL!
Thanks!
[I]“If you can’t beat 'em with brains, beat 'em with bullshit!”
- Tommy Serio, 2001[/I]
In Ireland, the three year olds are started under saddle briefly. Then they are turned out for the winter (rainy season). They are brought back and started over early in their four yr old year.
My four yr olds were ridden til the end of September, and are now turned out again until January, when I will start them again.
Sounds like he may need a break. IMHO.
Besides, it is better for his bones et al.
Good luck.
I had the same problem with my OTTB. Except she would never lose energy, no matter how much she was worked. She would just get hotter and hotter and quicker and quicker. Personally, I liked it, but some people aren’t cut out for that kind of horse (not implying that you’re not, just saying that some people thought I was psycho for putting up with what I did).
Like previously mentioned, I think you need to make him think. Move all of that physical energy to mental energy. Lots of transitions (from gait to gait and within the gait), lateral work, and all those little things that will help you later on in life. Flat work, flat work, flat work. 
~~Erin B~~
“Smile & the world smiles with you. Fart & you stand alone.”
My daughter always “warmed up” her hot TB mare at least 2 hours before dressage (she events.) Usually someone official would tell her “you don’t go for 2 hours” (or 3) & she would say “I know.” After that time it was sometimes possible to get a halt & a decent test.
Colin…
From what I’ve read, just have VTRider’s trainer come out and give you…er your horse…a little “tune up session.” 
Hey, airline tickets are cheap these days right? And besides, no expense should be spared for your prescious horse!!! hehehe!!! 
“I think he may have “Attn. Def. Dis.” if he were a person”
That made me laugh so much. I can’t believe someone else thinks that their horse has A.D.D. So does mine, welcome to the club!
I bought my OTT TB when he was 4, he is now 8. And yes, while he has calmed down tremendously, he is still very spirited. But you know what?, I LOVE him that way. His personality is what attracted me to him in the first place
Here’s the problem I see with galloping your horse beforehand. If you continue to do this, your horse will come to expect it everytime before you ride. I have the same warm-up at shows as I do at home. That way when we go to shows, and if he is hyper, our warm up is familiar to him and he relaxes quicker.
I can only suggest what others have already written. My old trainer use to tell me that Pie was “too smart for his own good”. I found that the more I made him think and concentrate, the more willing he was to push down that hyperness of his and try to do the task I was asking of him.
Maybe it is as simple as you just getting use to the fact that he is a little more spirted than what you would like? And alsom he is only 3, he has time yet to grow and mature. Have fun with your guy and CHALLENGE him, make that brain of his think.
Take Care,
Jen &*** Pie***
“It is easy to live in the world after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live in your own;but great is the one who in the midst of a crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” R.W.E.
