Steady neddy!!

H

hayleymyles

Active Member
Joined
11 September 2013
Messages
43
Location
Langtoft
Visit site

​
Any tips on getting a horses canter to slow down? Without constantly pulling on her mouth? We zooooooom round!! And I'd like to plod every now and then to give my nerves a rest!
 
I've ridden a LOT of cobs which gets tense and rush in canter, resulting in the riders pulling harder and the cob rushing more (not saying this is a cob thing, just my experience) and my tactic is to let go of the mouth completely, relax myself, think relax-y thoughts and wait for them to calm down. It works for me!
 
DanceswithCows said:
I've ridden a LOT of cobs which gets tense and rush in canter, resulting in the riders pulling harder and the cob rushing more (not saying this is a cob thing, just my experience) and my tactic is to let go of the mouth completely, relax myself, think relax-y thoughts and wait for them to calm down. It works for me!
Click to expand...

If you can practise this uphill, even better.
 
I think some of it is due to the fact that many cobs (and others!) are all started in relatively small manege these days. Their very conformation means a young cob finds it extremely difficult to balance at canter in this space and starts to rush out of panic.. this then carries on to canter everywhere.

We learned this the hard way and now don't ask young, unbalanced cobs to canter in the school, either ridden or, heaven forbid, on the lunge. First canter is now up a short hill with a companion waiting at the top. Only when they are working and established in the manege do we ask for canter there.

I would try two or three strides of canter and the back to trot and ride a couple of circles, then, if he is quiet and responsive, back to canter for another few strides. Learn to know when it is about to become a battle and bring him back to trot to calm down, when he realises there is no need for speed he will revert to the cob default mode of doing as little as he has to!! ;)
 
Sit up straight and sit deeper in the saddle and take a bit of a hold to get the pace you like then release the hold as a reward when horse quickens do this again they will learn when they slow down you reward them by releasing the tension on the mouth, but do sit deep in the saddle do not tilt or lean forward this gives the go faster cue
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top