Help, what can I do?

[Seahorse]

Axel has started pacing in walk

I only noticed for the first time yesterday while walking him out to the field. He wasn't doing it last night when I brought him in but was doing it again this morning.

Why is he doing it?
and how can I stop him from doing it?

hopefully somone will know

 

[Pasha]

I know a few people with Arabs that do this out on hacks.... personally I wouldn't encourage it and would half-halt back to a good 4-beat walk (if riding) or halt him if leading or riding and ask him to walk on again.

Someone may have a much better way of stopping it than me, as I have no personal experience, but that is what I would try

 

[Shilasdair]

They sometimes pace if you rush them out of their natural walk speed...or if he was keen to get to the field. Slow the walk down...and it should become 4 beat again.
Is he a youngster? Sometimes they do it when they are growing as their balance is always changing....and they worry about stepping on themselves when they're croup high.
S

 

[Seahorse]

[ QUOTE ]
I know a few people with Arabs that do this out on hacks.... personally I wouldn't encourage it and would half-halt back to a good 4-beat walk (if riding) or halt him if leading or riding and ask him to walk on again.

Someone may have a much better way of stopping it than me, as I have no personal experience, but that is what I would try

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, it it an 'arab' thing? Axel is 1/2 arab....

He did it again this morning on the way to the field,so I kept stopping him and walking on again. It seemed to work

 

[Seahorse]

[ QUOTE ]
They sometimes pace if you rush them out of their natural walk speed...or if he was keen to get to the field. Slow the walk down...and it should become 4 beat again.
Is he a youngster? Sometimes they do it when they are growing as their balance is always changing....and they worry about stepping on themselves when they're croup high.
S

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks he's 5 and maybe he's had a bit of a growth spurt