Exercises for slowing down??

Star&Tiffy

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Hi :)

I have a 6 year old thoroughbred mare who I have brought back into work after some time off. She was previously backed when I bought her but has had no schooling so I've started from scratch with her working on her lunging etc. I've recently got on her and have done three times so far. The problem I have with her is that she just rushes the whole time (she's fine on the lunge but started of this way), she's getting a little better in walk and is starting to relax some of the time, but as soon as I move into trot she just tries to race off. So much so that I feel like she's going to run away with me, not just go fast.

Has anyone got any advice how I can slow her down in both walk and trot and any exercises I can do to help without risking my safety! :p

Thanks very much!
 
Hi :)

I have a 6 year old thoroughbred mare who I have brought back into work after some time off. She was previously backed when I bought her but has had no schooling so I've started from scratch with her working on her lunging etc. I've recently got on her and have done three times so far. The problem I have with her is that she just rushes the whole time (she's fine on the lunge but started of this way), she's getting a little better in walk and is starting to relax some of the time, but as soon as I move into trot she just tries to race off. So much so that I feel like she's going to run away with me, not just go fast.

Has anyone got any advice how I can slow her down in both walk and trot and any exercises I can do to help without risking my safety! :p

Thanks very much!

i am certainly no schooling master but you could try when on the lunge to start using you r voice more and more and making her go as slow as possible even if it means making your circle bigger and hers smaller when she has the hang of your voice commands you can transfer it to riding and staying in walk to start just do some slowing right down to almost a halt and than a better walk just so she can appreciate the difference when you have this down to a fine art try trot but using your voice all the time and slowing right down and getting faster and slowing and so on and so on i love to use my voice and all of my horses have been able to slow down from a canter just by simple voice commands does that make sense??? and do remember to use your leg while all this is happening so she learns to respond ie leg off a bit whilst slowing and leg on as you go faster its only been 3 time so patience and repetitive actions are well rewarded xx
 
When I've had green horses who rush I've just tried to do everything I can to keep their brain and body too busy to go fast. Circles, transitions, serpentines, etc. As soon as she speeds up take her mind off it and make her do something a bit technical until she comes back to you. I've kept a light a hand as I can (scary I know!) and try to be as floppy as possible. Singing and grinning helps to relax you and hopefully send horsey relaxing vibes! Good luck :)
 
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