Jogging

[FlyingCircus]

Do your horses jog whilst out hacking? Do you let them? How do you stop them?

Just curious. The ex-racer I recently started loaning tends to jog around after having the first trot of the ride. Any faster than a walk and he's jogging afterwards. It's abit of a pain, but doesn't bother me massively and when I try and slow him he tends to go up/bounce on the spot, rather than being steadier.

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Mine jogs and I've been advised to check her to regear her brain then if she walks nicely reward with another trot but my choice not hers.

 

[Bexx]

Do your horses jog whilst out hacking? Do you let them? How do you stop them?

Just curious. The ex-racer I recently started loaning tends to jog around after having the first trot of the ride. Any faster than a walk and he's jogging afterwards. It's abit of a pain, but doesn't bother me massively and when I try and slow him he tends to go up/bounce on the spot, rather than being steadier.

An ex-racer I used to ride did this too. I found that once we had our first trot, if i maintained the contact, even with soft, light hands, he jogged like this. Although it might not bother you, I do think it's a bit rude as you have asked for walk. I found that if I slipped the reins, so I was riding almost buckle end, he then relaxed and was happy to plod along. With ex-racers they tend to think shorter reins means go fast and washing lines mean there is nothing to be excited about.

 

[Antw23uk]

You are now in a very exclusive club

Mine does as well and pulling him up makes him a lot worse ... I think regardless of how 'ex' they are they still think a tightening of the reins means they are being asked to go faster

I just sit quietly, ask for a few half passes and pop in and out of an outline and then let him have his head and stride out in a nice relaxed but fast walk and then slowly bring him back into 'proper' style after 30 or 40 seconds. It seems to work for me and the key is to show quiet patience .... He will thank you for being the calm one

 

[Antw23uk]

An ex-racer I used to ride did this too. I found that once we had our first trot, if i maintained the contact, even with soft, light hands, he jogged like this. Although it might not bother you, I do think it's a bit rude as you have asked for walk. I found that if I slipped the reins, so I was riding almost buckle end, he then relaxed and was happy to plod along. With ex-racers they tend to think shorter reins means go fast and washing lines mean there is nothing to be excited about.

You said it so much better than me

 

[FlyingCircus]

An ex-racer I used to ride did this too. I found that once we had our first trot, if i maintained the contact, even with soft, light hands, he jogged like this. Although it might not bother you, I do think it's a bit rude as you have asked for walk. I found that if I slipped the reins, so I was riding almost buckle end, he then relaxed and was happy to plod along. With ex-racers they tend to think shorter reins means go fast and washing lines mean there is nothing to be excited about.

Only really go for steady plods when out hacking, so am usually riding with relatively long reins. He jogs whether I have contact or am holding the buckle, the degree of contact alters only whether he does it on the spot or not.

When asking him to halt to try and steady/calm him, he happily halts and stands still but as soon as I ask him to move off again, he's back to his jogging.

 

[Antw23uk]

Only really go for steady plods when out hacking, so am usually riding with relatively long reins. He jogs whether I have contact or am holding the buckle, the degree of contact alters only whether he does it on the spot or not.

When asking him to halt to try and steady/calm him, he happily halts and stands still but as soon as I ask him to move off again, he's back to his jogging.

Maybe he needs a bit more to stimulate and get him concentrating? Mine is getting bored of the same route and although its an hours hack and up and down very steep hills he is getting fitter and getting bored so need to change my route and add in more schooling.

What are you feeding him? Mine is high as a kite at th moment because of a wrong choice in chaff (which im changing) so his eyes are practically rolling in his head after the first trot or canter

 

[Bexx]

Only really go for steady plods when out hacking, so am usually riding with relatively long reins. He jogs whether I have contact or am holding the buckle, the degree of contact alters only whether he does it on the spot or not.

When asking him to halt to try and steady/calm him, he happily halts and stands still but as soon as I ask him to move off again, he's back to his jogging.

Have you tried asking for a slight leg yield/shoulder fore or something similar to try and get his attention? Giving something else to concentrate on may take his mind off wanting to jog. Also try some half halts rather than a constant hold, and make sure your leg stays on to tell him to keep walking rather than him having nothing from you as this may give him the impression he can do what he likes

 

[FlyingCircus]

Have you tried asking for a slight leg yield/shoulder fore or something similar to try and get his attention? Giving something else to concentrate on may take his mind off wanting to jog. Also try some half halts rather than a constant hold, and make sure your leg stays on to tell him to keep walking rather than him having nothing from you as this may give him the impression he can do what he likes

I do half halt, no constant holding. Will try leg yields etc next time I ride out to try and get his attention.


As for what he's being fed - chaff and some conditioning mix as he's a little underweight. Though I don't think it's necessarily a problem with his feed, as he's not strong/rushing in trot and canter, he just doesn't seem to like walking much