Help! Horse will not slow down or halt

[EJ87]

Ok so I bought a 14.2 11yr old mare a couple of months ago so far it’s being going ok (she has her moments) lol. I am a novice rider and only rode riding schools cobs before I bought her and she can be quite forward going not bad just wants to be kept busy type. I just was wondering if there is some magic button to make her slow down to a more controlled speed. Every time I pull on the reins to halt her she goes faster!! She will stop for me eventually about 6 strides after i have pulled the reins and shouted whoa asking her to stop. In Canter she is extremely fast It pretty much consists of me sitting and hoping for the best she can do another full circle of canter after Iv asked her to stop. However in walk she will stop instantly when I ask her.
I’ve tried all the test book stuff half halts, slowing my rising trots but nothing seems to work she just wants to keep going.

Just wondering if anyone else has this problem and knows any tips on how to control her as I’m a novice rider she isn’t really doing much for my confidence and I don’t feel comfortable taking her out for a hack in case we meet a car and she won’t stop or pull in to let it past.

P.S she is on a snaffle bit and turned out to grass all day and I always lunge her before getting on her.

 

[LaurenBay]

Try to use your seat to slow her too. Sit deep and tall. Weight into your heels. Use half halts rather then just pulling as she will just pull agaisnt you. Wereas short quick half halts will make her think. If she doesn't listen then half halt a little harder. I would also suggest getting some lessons from a good instructor. When you do school do lots of transition work to get her to listen. example. Trot to halt, Halt to trot. Walk to canter, canter to walk. Take deep breaths and remain calm. But I do think lessons would be the way forward for you.

Good luck

 

[AngieandBen]

First of all she sounds just like my pony! BUT I never pull on the reins I can control him using my seat and voice and just doing the odd half halt, you need to have some lessons with a good instructor.

Lots of transitions, pole work ( having a square made of poles in the centre of school and changing directions will help her concentrate )

It takes time and consistancy, however as a novice rider you don't want to lose your confidence, you might be better off with more of a plod!

Riding school horses are very different from having your own and going out and about.

 

[Tammytoo]

AngieandBen has a good point - "private" horses and ponies are completely different from Riding School horses and ponies. First of all pulling will not stop your pony, it will hurt his mouth which is why he doesn't respond straight away, he is trying the escape the discomfort.

It would be a shame to lose confidence so why don't you practice halts in a safe area. Whilst walking, sit up tall and gently brace your back against the movement of your pony, close your thighs around the saddle and gently give little squeezes with your hand. Don't be tempted to give a pull, just a few little squeezes. At first he may just slow down, that's fine, give him a pat and carry on walking. Then keep trying until he realises what you are asking and stops. You may suddenly find you have hit the right button whilst you are trying! When you are sure he understands (and it may take a few sessions) you can then progress to trot and use the same aids to go down to walk and then halt. Don't worry if he doesn't get it in one session, just stop when he has done a nice "slow down" make a big fuss of him and try again the next day.

However, I do think a few lessons with an experienced instructor will help you to adjust to the different way of riding your pony. Even after 40 years of riding I have the odd lesson to keep me up to scratch!

 

[PolarSkye]

OK - I'm no expert - but it does sound like she's running through the bridle - either b/c she's unbalanced or b/c she's being a monkey - or both. One way to help her (and you) is to get her OFF her forehand so she is in better balance with herself and you and to get her listening to your seat and body rather than your hands. My instructor always says any aid should be given in the following order - body/seat, legs, hands - rather than hands first (which tends to be how we novices are taught!).

Do lots of work with her in walk - slow the walk right down so that she has to think about where she is putting her feet, sit tall/squarely on your seatbones, keep your legs on her sides (but don't nag) and carry your hands off her withers as this will encourage her to lift up through her shoulders/come off her forehand. Do lots of shapes and halt/walk transitions to get her listening and try and keep your aids as light as possible. Above all, no matter how much she tries to lean on you (which she may well do) don't pull - no backwards tension. If she's heavy in your hand/on her forehand, give and take each alternate rein (push each hand forward) - she will soon get the idea that you are not going to hold her up. When she's light on the forehand in walk, do the same thing in trot (but be prepared to not get it right away - persevere). Do you know how to ride half halts? Such a useful aid for getting a horse rebalanced and listening.

Also, in trot (and canter), make sure you are not tipping forwards - if you are, you will be loading her shoulder, which will cause her to lose balance and "run."

Lastly, do get an instructor to help you . . . I really value the guidance I get fom mine - has really helped me get through some very sticky patches with my boy.

Hope this all makes sense. Good luck.

P

 

[Fauvea]

Look up the one rein stop, they are loads of video of it on youtube. It's a really usefull emergency tool.
Otherwise, practice makes perfect. Even if it's not much fun when your horse desobeys, the more you work on it and the better he will become at it. Not much else to say, the other posters have given great advice .