Getting a gallop

[Mbronze]

Now, I don't know whether this is an unusual question or not!? I plan to event my new mare this year, she is very good in all respects..But (and theres always a but!) she can't go faster than a collected showjumping canter, she has impeckable manners so does not lean on your hand whatsoever, she is very much sat on her hocks all the time.
Problem is when I come to the xc phase, i know our time will be v slow, has anyone got any ideas or suggestions that may help her go faster, I have tried pony club flapping and tapping with the whip behind my leg but this upsets her, as she cannot see what she is doing wrong, its like she has no fifth gear....ideas are welcome!!!

 

[sunny123]

Talk to HenryHorn, i think they had this problem with Choc when they first got him and now he can definatly gallop!

 

[KatB]

Take her out for a gallop with other horses you KNOW can gallop... they soon find 5th gear...

 

[Santa_Claus]

go to some gallops/large field etc in the company of another horse that knows how to gallop and go, yours will soon catch on when they think they are being left behind. And once found will be far easier!

 

[clairencappelli]

Ditto kat b its often best if you start out in frount and have someone faster come up behind you and overtake, hehe they soon learn to find that extra gear when they have something come motoring past at a high speed.

I love galloping and breeze my horse at least once a week ground permitting.

 

[Mbronze]

Very good idea, I'll take her out with another, there I was flapping away on my own on our canter track!! Always helps a second opinion. Thanks

 

[MagicMelon]

I have this problem with one of mine. He just naturally wont gallop. My eventer didnt know how to to begin with either - I took him to lots of XC practices where I asked to go for a gallop with another horse in between the odd fence or at the end. Soon got him moving! I cant however get my other horse to do so.... he will gallop with others or if hyped up. However wont do it when I actually NEED him to!! I think this is just him, Im hoping once I start little ODE's, he'll start to get the idea and get more excited!

 

[SillyMare]

All the advice above is good.

The other thing to bear in mind is that at lower level BE (Intro / PN) you don't really need to gallop XC to get inside the time. A good forward canter should be fine.

As long as your mare is moving on betwen the fences then you should be fine - speed often comes with experience.

 

[mitchellk]

As above and hunting!
My current (own) horse is the same and I plan to take him out with another horse who events and can gallop, but next season I will hunt him and get him thinking more forward- god help me he's 17.1hh!