Hippotherapy

horses? ?????????????????????

I ride this horse.That is very forward moving,is thier any sitting posistions that would make them slow down.besides half haltes.Or anymovement you could do to keep it to keep it in a trot.??? thanks xxxxooo

Public Comments

1. i dont know very much about horses other than they're big n run fast. but wouldnt maybe pulling on the reins slow them down?
2. Don't just try to slow down using the reins, use your butt and sit deep in the saddle, pushing towards the front of the saddle. Keep your lower leg firmly on the horse's side to push him into the bit. I had a horse that wanted to hang on the bit. I was taught to just make a firm fist on the reins, (don't pull back) When she gave even a little to the bit, I relaxed my hands enough that she felt it. She really improved with this method. Good luck.
3. Try posting up and down. Up, down, up, down, up, down. If that doesn't work, tighten up on the reins some. In any case, that usually works.
4. My horse has the same probablem. You could try sitting back deeper in the saddle, and use constant half-halts. Does he pin his ears back sometimes? I learned that my horse went fast because she felt like I was in her face when riding. Keep you hands close to the neck and use half halts, that really slowed my horse down
5. Working this horse on transitions would help slow the movement. I'd work this horse on serpentines, figure 8's and circles, never on a straight line. Within the serpentine and such I would do many transitions, including halts, backing, turn on the haunches and forehand, etc, to get this horse to slow and collect. I do not work a horse that rushes on any straight line until they are collected and controlled. This work takes several weeks, usually, to accomplish the required result, so be patient. This may help, good luck!
6. Equitation horses are taught that if you get out of the saddle in a half seat position, put your hands on their necks and apply pressure, then take your shoulders back.
7. I used to have a similar problem, and what I did was a little halting exercise to keep your horse on his toes so he dosn't know when you are going to apply the brakes.. Try this.. start off with the trot.. trot maybe 15-20 steps and then halt. Then back 3 steps, and continue forward at the walk.. Then repeat it 5 or 6 times.. once you and him get comfortable at that, then move on to the canter... Canter 10 steps, halt, back up 3, then take off at the canter... Then do it in the opposite direction.. You can do this exercise for 10 or 15 minutes each day, or make a workout out of it.. but dont over do it, because you don't want to make your horse bored with it either... Once he's got it, dont keep pushing it.. just do it when you feel like your starting to lose control again.. Also, like someone else said, use your Butt.. even if you dont have a big one.. try to sit back, and sit deep into the saddle, and work on using your hips and buu to control the horse... When your trotting, if you slow your posting, then the horse should slow too... if you stop and sit deep, he should come down to the walk... And try not to use your hands.. that way when you need the "breaks" they will be there, not worn out :) Hope this helps
8. Sit deep in the saddle. Lean back if you have to, just until you horse learns to slow down. Circling helps a lot as well. My horse used to try to speed up alot but he doesn't anymore because my trainer taught me this method. Use your half-halts! They really do work. When your horse slows down let off the pressure. If he speeds up again do a circle. Eventually he will get tired of doing circles and will stop speeding up. Also try changing directions a lot. Do figure eights and stuff because if your horse gets bored he will start misbehaving again. Keep it interesting and different!
9. I ride a horse that is fast also. He only seemed fast the first couple of time that I rode him because I wasn't used to his speed and how to handle it. Now it seems like riding any other horse. What someone told me to do was to look at half halts through a technical view. Just pulling back halfway and releasing didn't always work but neither did pulling bck and holding of course. What does work is to give the half halt at the right time. Give the half halt at the moment of suspension when your horses hooves are off the ground. This moment is most easily found at the canter but it also works at the trot. Release the pressure on the opposing beat. Another thing you can do is slow your post. On the beat that you sit, sit slightly longer. This will make your horse adjust his pace too. Also, anytime you want to slow down, sit deep in the saddle and put all your weight into your seat. You seat is a very important aid- use it. In other words, thing of everything from a technical point of view. Don't just think pull back and sit back. Think things through and think about all the steps. Think about collection. Make your horse collect by encouraging him with your legs and collecting that momentum through your hands by giving half halts. Best wishes!
10. Don't change your sitting position, you cannot improve on a balanced seat....find it and keep it. What you CAN do is keep changing directions, etc with our horse, keep his mind busy and keep doing exercises that get him back on his haunches and change the place from where his impulsion originates. Here is a very simple exercise that will help you tremendously...it's so simple that lots of people won't bother to try it, but it works, believe me, it works. Use your fence line...arena or otherwise. Do this quietly, and with soft hands and with consistancy...but walk along the fence line, stop (don't get in a hurry) and using your hands (two) and your legs, turn your horse into the fence and reverse...this accomplishes several things, one of the most important is that it teaches your horse to get back on his haunches (otherwise, he will hit his face into the fence, can't get any simpler than that) and will lighten him up on the front end, including his face. Don't overdo this exercise, it is very effective and don't do it over 3 or 4 times in a row, then use the impulsion that you have acquired from this exercise to do something else...You will not believe how different your horse will feel under you after you do this. Just remember, keep your hands light on his mouth, sit a balanced seat and work your horse with this exercise and you will notice the difference...now, when you reverse, begin walking, then trotting...if you are not getting the trot that you want, repeat....plus, don't expect overnight miracles...the muscles have to be built up to allow your horse to physically do what you are asking him to do...try this and I know that it will help you tremendously.
11. just sit like normal, but when he starts to go too fast for you, sit deep in the saddle, lean back a little like you do to warn them of 'whoa', and they should slow down. works great if you can do it right.