A poll about your riding technique, and how you stop a horse...

How do you stop your horse?

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My horses default gear is 'stop', it's by far her favourite speed. So even from a gallop the word 'woah' will result in a quick and speedy halt and a smug looking mare.
 
jez, i had a horse years ago that required a chainsaw in his mouth out hunting, but other than that, my baby fingers would stop him. Out hunting, seat , reins or anything else wouldnt stop him, but any of them would stop him at home. It's a difficult question to answer as it varies so much from horse to horse. I think maybe a bit of everything!!!!
 
I shift my weight back on my seatbones slightly, bring my shoulders back a bit and say "steady" or "stand" - sometimes that works, sometimes I then have to squeeze the reins slightly. When I first got him, having only ever ridden at riding schools where I was taught "kick to go, pull to stop" I used to try stopping with just my reins and quickly found that my hands were no match for his great big cob neck! I'd love to be able to school him to be more responsive and soft, but as he's a working livery at a riding school it seems kind of pointless when he's got beginners on him all the time. When I have enough money to take him off working livery and I have him all to myself, I will school him properly!
 
40 years ago i was taught to " just stop riding". It has worked ever since in normal situations.
In emergencies pull and release, pull and release, pull and release. If that fails small circles.
 
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