I show horses. I decided to show my 14 year old quarter horse in this one show in two weeks. I totally forgot about it, and last month i signed up for the classes that require you to lope (gallop). But, last year I got bucked off and every since i have been afraid to lope with this horse. He lopes really really fast and I dont have much control over him. Does anyone have any pointers how I can get my horse to slow down his canter and be more controlable?? THANKSS!!
2006-06-30 14:57:18 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
. the two classes i need to lope in:
1) walk/trot/lope
2) western pleasure.
& yes, it actually sucks cuz i always pass the other horses like crazyy..my horse isnt green or anything--he's just really rusty. lol.
i use a snapple bit i believe.
& i dont want to scratch the class because my sister is going to be there and i want to impress her--she's a vetrinarian and she'll like kill me if i scratch the class.
2006-06-30 15:13:54 · update #1
what do youu mean about the disipline?
2006-06-30 15:14:53 · update #2
*snaffle not snapple!
2006-06-30 16:12:54 · update #3
todayy my trainer rode my horse for a while (she hasnt come out all year until today) and she rode around with him... she told me to lope and then pull back to get him to slow and when he goes slower give him back his reins as his reward....we also used a bit (i forget what its called) but its two parts, so that i could use two hands...i really like it for practice, even though i know i have to ride him one handed in shows) i feel alot more confident now..
but what's half halting??
2006-07-01 08:24:00 · update #4
(If you got bucked off don't use spurs at first.)
Just get together with your tariner, do a lot of slow work first to get your balance right, and the horse worked down so he won't be excited, then try it. Just a few strides at first and ask him to stop.
Increase the # of strides you let him lope- he will be expecting to stop so it should slow him down...
2006-06-30 15:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by ladders_to_fire 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Using spurs is a bad idea, it will just scare your horse. As the others said, get together with a trainer and practice the rough spots until you feel comfortable. Also, the snaffle bit is the most gentle bit and is best for well-disciplined, older horses. Try using a tom-thumb copper mouth curb bit, it's for horses that have problems slowing down or stopping. I use this bit, it worked wonders on a horse i rode that had problems with bolting and running away. Good luck! And remember your horse will be able to sense your feelings in the ring, so even if it means disappointing your sis, scratching is better than getting you and your horse injured.
2006-07-01 03:47:45 · answer #2 · answered by yankee_blondie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you need to use a lot more leg pressure with him. When your riding, squeeze with your thighs. And definitely get a stronger bit than just a snaffle. Another thing that works very well is getting the horse into a lope or canter and once he starts to speed up shut him down and back him up but do it slowly dont slam him down and back him quickly, that will jus make him even more anxious to go. And if you do this every time he speeds up he should get bored of stopping and backing so much that he'll become more consistent and slow in his lope.
Oh and another thing dont use spurs because if you suddenly get frightened while your cantering and you accidently spur him in the ribs you'll be going for a crazy ride through the arena. Only use spurs when you know your in control and you have him slowed down. Then you should only need them to get him to round his back if he is really flat or stand his inside shoulder up in turns.
2006-07-03 20:13:18 · answer #3 · answered by hanna c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to a trainer and get some lessons. I hope you didn't sign up for a pleasure class, because if your horse canters that fast, it surely isn't a pleasure. You can always scratch the class, which is what I would recommend until you feel comfortable. The horse will sense your nervousness and most likely be worse.
What discipline do you ride and what kind of bit are you using? What class are you entered in also?
2006-06-30 22:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a crash course in control and security. It can be done. Work on circles and serpentines with your horse...trotting, walking. Bend him. RELAX. As he goes the speed you want make a bigger circle. Take him along the rail - when he speeds up circle again. use one rein - don't pull back.
Get someone to hold him. Do some balance exercises - reach over with the hand and touch the opposite knee...focus on keeping heels down and leg in proper position. Do airplane movements...arms at side, then straight out, up, out and rotate each way. Do 10 of these a day. Off the horse get a 2X4 board, put the ball of your feet on it with the heel on the ground. Raise up in sets of 10...this stretches the back of your leg. When your balance is secure and the horse is controlled there is much less place for fear to grow.
Good luck
2006-06-30 22:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok about 2 years ago i got bucked off of my gelding I got totally knocked out.. I was a little scared to get back on at first, but all you have to do is work at it.. have the courage. Let the horse know that you mean them no harm. Also remember horses can tell if your scared and you don't know what your doing and they will take advantage of you. Quarter horses are my favorite horses. They are awsome barrelracing horses. Also try using spurs. Or a hackamore bit... if you keep trying to use the same bit the horse is use to it won't matter anymore to them. Try using different bits until he starts listening more. Or a snaffle bit. Be careful and good luck!!
2006-06-30 22:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by txbarrelracer_936 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a little bit of a tougher bit. it might help you have more control over him! I know its really scary when you fall off or get bucked off but you haved to canter him! otherwise you'll work it up in your head (I do that all the time when I'm gonna do something new on my horse) and then you'll never want to do it again! YOU HAVE TO FACE IT AND JUST DO IT! sorry! but thats what ya have to do! I'm not sure how to make him go slower but try reducing the movement of your body a little and try a different bit that will get his attention a little better. Snaffle's really aren't that hard of a bit so that might be your problem! good luck!!!
2006-07-01 02:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by ponygirl21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go ahead and get a good trainer, they'll likely recommend one of two things. You should have a professional ride and evaluate your horse, a lope isn't supposed to be fast, but you don't want them to four beat either. If you need to, go to a stronger bit, this would be a last resort though. Do lots of half halts, lots of trot halt, canter trot, canter halt transitions.
2006-07-01 01:09:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to get complete control over him first if you want to do well in any class. You need to be able to get him to walk and trot with loose reins before you even think about getting him to lope. and he can do it slow you just have to learn to rate him like your trainer said i just got done teaching my mare to do all three speeds without ever touching the reins and having them completely loose. it can be done, you also need to buck up and get your courage back other wise your horse is going to "walk all over you"
2006-07-02 01:37:01 · answer #9 · answered by ruff_n_readycowgirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Half halting with leg works for me on my horse and he does the same thing.
2006-07-01 11:41:40 · answer #10 · answered by froggygrl2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋