Slowing Down

[Paintingpheonix]

Can anybody give me some tips on slowing my mare (TB x QH, 6yrs old) down when shes cantering, as we have now finished the showing season in western pleasure and have lots of time to practice on actually loping.
Thanks heaps

 

[Horsiezz]

I'd like to see the replies in this as well because I have the same problem. :/

 

[mydakota]

Does she travel heavy on the forehand?

 

[Paintingpheonix]

yeah she tends to use her shoulders more to pull herself forward than getting her butt underneath her.

 

[PatchiePonie]

oh yeh you gota stop her from bolting, have you noticed that is what happened when i cantered her, ps. it turned into a gallop

 

[mydakota]

If she is heavy on the fore, you have other things to worry about before you really start focusing on rate. You need to get her working with her hind end up underneath herself. Do you use your seat and legs to push her up into the bridle? Is she still in a snaffle?

 

[Paintingpheonix]

Shes still in a snaffle, and we're working alot on stopping and backing up, getting her butt underneath her when we do so. I sit upright when moving and lean back when stopping, not touching her with my legs until I ask her to do something.

 

[MrsDieselEngineer]

Try doing roll backs into a fence. It requires the horse to shift their weight onto their hindquarters and they become more balanced. They will also start listening better and you'll find it much easier to regulate their speed. Works everytime!

 

[currycomb]

try lots of circles, figure 8's with lead changes. also stopping and backing and just standing afterward. mix it up, keep her guessing what is next.

 

[Paintingpheonix]

yep, will do