Can you ever 'change' a horse's natural temperament?

[Ziggy_]

Here's why I'm asking. I have a TB mare who loves work, especially if it involves going fast. After playing around with tack a long time I have finally found a combination that works - she accepts the bit quietly works into the contact etc etc.

When schooling she used to really overreact to any aid - I do lots of leg yielding and shoulder in to soften her and get her to accept my leg. She can collect and extend nicely and I'd say we're probably approaching working at elementary level.

However, the desire to always go faster is still there - every 15 minutes or so when schooling she gets all hyped up again and trots flat out again - I usually do some canter exercises/medium trot to give her a bit of a blast then go back to leg yielding to get her to accept my leg again.

While we're making progress I'd love to have her channel her energy into really engaging and working hard instead of going ''bored now - lets have a gallop!!'' Do you think she'll ever change or will the inherent desire to go faster always be there?


FTR - she lives out, has no hard feed, back teeth saddle all fine, she has a varied and interesting workload, ridden in a snaffle.

 

[scotsmare]

I don't think you'll change her - you've got something who is bred and programmed to go fast - the most you'll ever crack is to 'channel' her energy the way you want it!

Though as you've already got the stressage thing cracked then I'd say you're doing pretty well

 

[popsicle]

In my experience the answer is NO,you can't "change" a horses termperament, but you appear to be doing very well with her, so perhaps just try to work with it.