At 20:34:01 on 16.05.10, Vectis wrote:
I have a 15 yo TB who is prone to rushing when I ask her to trot - she speeds ups and goes into a canter without being asked. I am at my wits end and if I can't resolve the issue she will have to go which is a shame because I love her to bits. As a not very confident rider this is very off putting. All I want to be able to do is walk, trot and canter when I want not when she wants. Any ideas anyone?

At 22:59:39 on 16.05.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
my horse used to do this so ill tell u what worked for me. first i increased his work so that he wouldnt be as fresh, roughly an hour a day 6 days a week. when i worked on the flat i did lots of circles and serpentines to get him listening if he tried to canter without me asking i would pull him in a sharp circle, this knocked his balance and stopped him going into canter, after a while he started to do it less and less and it eventually stopped within a few weeks. i also kept him in canter 4 ages so that he wouldnt be so keen to take off next time haha good luck :)

At 13:19:15 on 17.05.10, Vectis wrote:
Thanks - I'll give it a try

At 14:15:04 on 17.05.10, kibby wrote:
half halts are great when trotting going into sitting can helo in the half halt.. bring her right back then release the contact (well not release but very soft hands) REPETITION is the key here. he will begin to realise that when he is slow and relaxed everything is easier.. theoretically, lol.. hope it works out for you..

At 20:46:50 on 17.05.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
When you feel your horse rushing into canter turn a tight circle until the trot is steady then continue as normal and repeat each time your horse rushes eventually it should stop.

At 13:19:08 on 18.05.10, Vectis wrote:
Thanks everyone - I tried turning a circle last night and it did seem to work so I'm going to persevere - fingers crossed.

At 20:04:17 on 18.05.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
good good it will work out in the end :) you just need to push through it. you will come out stronger the other side for it :)

At 20:08:20 on 18.05.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Good luck lol :)

At 09:30:42 on 19.05.10, Sophiee wrote:
I agree with kibby, that method worked for me too witht he strongest fastest pony in the world lol.. she goes amazing now :)

At 16:27:09 on 11.06.10, vaquero wrote:
Hi Vectis, Circles help to calm over-impulsive horses, straight lines help to motivate under-impulsive horses. The consistency of circles works to calm the mental and emotional state of the horse. Meanwhile, the physical act of bending the ribs on a circle encourages them to release the tension in their bodies. Pulling back on a forward horse only increases their tension - instead, think of redirecting her energy into something more constructive. Soon, it will be her idea to slow down and relax.