Speedy 2yo

michellev123

michellev123

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 January 2010
Messages
586
Location
Suffolk
Visit site
Speedy!!

Lately when I take Oscar out he has become really speedy! He walks so quick in walk I struggle to keep up and i'm 5 foot 11!! The poor foals behind us dont stand a chance!!!

I have him in a dually halter although he isnt naughty just excited and desperate to get going!!

If I put him beind the other horses he will slow down, so I do think it is pure excitement to be out!

My question is how to get him to walk at my pace!

Last walk I tried stopping everytime he got ahead of me and he stopped beautifully but as soon as we walked off off he went again, we stopped and started the whole 3 mile walk and although he did calm down slightly (we then passed a horse neighing in a nearby field which set him off again!)

He isnt naughty and isnt particularlly strong with it (doesnt pull my arm out! just wont walk with me at his shoulder! wants me nearer his belly!!!)

I have tried ground work in the arena and he will walk beautifully at my shoulder, which makes me think he is just getting excited!!

Please no comments about being dangerous on the roads as he isn't, he doesn't shy at anything just walks really fast in a straight line!!!

Any constructive advice and any tips, tricks or experiances much appreciated!

Thanks

Michelle
 
If he's not been bitted and wearing a bridle, you shouldn't really be walking him out anyway. Isn't there some ruling/bylaw/whatever that a horse should be bridled when out on the road? You don't have enough control in a headcollar.
 
Yes he is probably excited, but he needs to learn now that he must respect you and stay by your shoulder. Keep with the ground work exercises, and do them in different places, field for example.

If he pushes in front, stop him and back him up. Stand for a few seconds and then lead on, keep repeating until he realises that rushing equals being made to back up and stand, but walking nicely is far easier to do. Plenty of praise and keep with the control head collar. You can use a bridle, but I hate seeing babies pulled on the mouth, and prefer to use a chain under the jaw or a dually, as it gives me as much control as a bit.

Increase your ground work exercises, back up round poles - put them in a L shape about 7' wide, halts, turns, change of paces etc. Make sure he understands voice commands for halt, slow down, reverse, stand still. Maybe even start a little long reining - mine needed to do a little work every other day from two years or he would turn into a bolshy git - started with 10 minutes and built up to 20 minutes and he loved having to use his brain.
 
Hi Thanks Theresa

Thats exactly why I am reluctant to bit him, cause I want him to have a mouth left by the time I come to back him!!

I will try with the ground work in some other places and try backing him up when we stopp thanks for the advice

Michelle
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top