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Mar 03, 2021
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Slowing him down
by: Anonymous

Spread your hands apart and half half in the reins, it also helps if you sit deeper into the saddle. Stay relaxed because if you are nervous he will be too. You also could start by training him with your voice "Easy" "slow" "calm down" are good voice cues to get him to slow down. Hope this helps.

Jul 11, 2020
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hope this helps
by: Anonymous

I do dressage on a small Connemara pony named Otter, and, like my trainer says, he goes 101 mph!

Try squeezing with your legs and leaning back.

Another way is using a more severe bit, like a pelum bit or something. Hope this helps!

Sep 10, 2018
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Hope this helps
by: Anonymous

If lunging him doesn’t work try riding him sitting very far back in the saddle. And whenever he gets too fast, pull back on your reins one at a time. If this still doesn’t work, try putting him in a pasture that is not as open. I know a horse that was always too fast and was then moved to a wooded pasture and became slower when riding.

Aug 01, 2017
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My thoughts
by: Julien

Hey there. First, I was wondering if your issue has to do with rushing, excitement, a lot of energy, or just poor manners/training?? Identify which one of these it is and you will be able to solve your issue easier.

As others have said, lunging on a lunge line or free lunging in a round pen will help to get his energy out, BUT don't drill him on this all the time. You are not really solving your issue this way, just running him dry.

It sounds like you need to work on responsiveness. Do a lot of transitions, starting at the walk. Work on speeding up and slowing down his walk. Then do the same thing at the trot.

Work on walk-trot and trot-walk transitions, and ask him to change his pace frequently and when you ask.

When you are quite good in the walk and trot areas and he is responsive to what you're asking, move up to a canter. Repeat the same exercises from the walk and trot (but at a canter/gallop).

When you want him to slow down, sit deep in your saddle, bend your elbows, widen your hands, and close your fingers around the reins. Make sure you're riding on a contact, and give several half halts.

Make sure that you're constantly giving release, especially if he slows down. Just pulling on his mouth until he stops, with no reward and no give after you take, will dull him to your aids, teach him nothing, and only accomplish a pony with a sore, soft mouth who will not want to listen.
As for you're bending issue, work a lot of circles, figure eights, bending lines, and serpentines into your warm up and regular riding.

Push the bend into his body with your inside leg, and hold the bend by maintaining a steady contact with your outside rein. If he is just running through your rein or into a wall, use more contact with your outside rein a leg and push him over.

Hope this helps!
xoxo

Jul 05, 2017
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My horse does this too!
by: ILoveSelah

My horse is a LOT like yours, except that she is a western horse. If it's a problem with energy, it might be good to lunge or round pen him at a canter for a while till he is calm and submitted.

When you are riding him, circles will help with both problems. You can do small circles and figure eights, that will probably work best.

It might also be good to flex him (slide your hand down one side of the reins, grab it and pull it up to your hip and hold until he stands still and doesn't pull against you) both directions.

Hope that helps! :)

Apr 19, 2017
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I can help with your speedy boy
by: Help is here

If your pony is constantly wanting to go fast then try work in hand. It will help him relax. Once you've done some work in hand then mount up. Walk around the arena in patterns on a long rein. Once he feels relaxed, then try trotting but, if he's to fast then circle, circle, circle!! Don't try cantering for a while or at least until he's settled down.

Hope this helps!

Dec 17, 2016
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lunge
by: Macy

Hey, maybe lunge for a good 5 minutes! I don't know if your instructor wants you to lunge but that is what I do with my very ACTIVE, and ENERGETIC 18-year old quarter horse!

Dec 09, 2016
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keep it slow
by: Heartbeat for horses

Hey here are a few tips of mine to keep Monty calmer and slower.

Warm him up longer periods of time before you get into jumping and cantering/galloping. Go for about a 20-minute warm up of walk, trot transitions so once you go out to do the harder parts then he won't have quite as much energy.

Once he is all warmed up work on some canter trot transitions. Trot him about 20 feet then canter him for 5 strides. If you stay consistent and only give him a little time to canter he will eventually learn to slow down.

I don't have any suggestions on bending. My lesson horse has always been pretty good at bending though sometimes he can get feisty.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Aug 13, 2016
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Slow it down!
by: Anonymous

Had this problem with my horse, my trainer and I looked into it and we figured that we should control him at a walk trot canter and then gallop.

After we controlled him at all other gaits, we tried it, and it helped a bit.

Also, asking him to collect himself helps a lot, so does softening the bit in his mouth. Also, never PULL back on his reins. Hold them in a place, so then you will feel when he gives. Keep repeating asking him to give, and that should slow him down.

Another tip is to circle him. Circles are calming to horse, and it also helps a lot with slowing them down and helping them bend, they get softer. Hope this helps, it worked with my horse and now he listens great!

May 30, 2016
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Runner
by: Anonymous

I had the exact same issue when I first got my horse Storm and here are a few tips that I used and that I hope will help!

If your pony is stalled then make sure he gets turnout time before you ride him otherwise all his energy will be locked up and the only time he can use it will be when you ride him. So if Monty is in a stall, try and ensure that he gets plenty of turnout time each day.

Another thing that was a really big deal with Storm was his food. So you might want to take a look at Monty's feeding schedule and see what he gets. It might be a good idea, if he gets alfalfa, to cut back on it or don't give him any at all! Also, you should probably take a look at his grain as any extra grain that he might get will definitely cause some speed.

I hope that these tips will help you! A lot of times I have found that riding issues are sometimes caused by stable management. Good luck!

May 18, 2016
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Get His Brain to Think
by: Devotion Weiß

There are two ways you can slow him down, and my horse has the same problem, so we are working on the same thing right now.

One way is good for most horses: You have to ride them, and ride them, and ride them some more at the problem gait. And I don't mean for 15 minutes, or even a half hour. A whole hour would be best, and you can build up to that. Eventually the horse (or pony) will realize that they have to conserve their energy, and will pace themselves. Just let the horse or pony go at their own pace, and when they're ready to stop, keep going for a little bit longer.

Some horses and ponies, though, are hotblooded, so that they only get sillier and faster and more reckless the longer you go. These horses minds need to be engaged. You can start, (say you're working on slowing the canter), by cantering just few strides, and then turning and doing something else, like backing or lateral work, or downward transitions. Gradually, and I mean GRADUALLY, build up the number of canter strides between other work.

If you don't have the time or the patience for this, then you can get someone to do it for you, but I think it would be better if you do it yourself, and after all of this riding, don't just go and never do it again. If you start doing just half-hour rides and that's it, your pony might start getting fast again. Refreshers are good.

Eventually your pony should start showing slower gaits.

I sure hope this helped. :)

Dec 25, 2015
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Running
by: Jumper

You should lunge him for 10-20 min. before riding, T-touch, say soothing things to him, and run him around. You could chase him, but i don't know. Maybe take him to a professional. My horse is the complete opposite though, so I don't have any very good tips. :( So sorry! But those first few things should calm him down. Also, how many days a week off do you give him? With the sound of your horse, you should give him no more than 1 or maybe 2. I wouldn't suggest 2 though, maybe 2 days a week once a month? I give my horse mondays off, and he is excited when i ride him tuesdays. Or is he afraid of something in the arena or next to it, making him want to run around like a crazy pony??? I hope some of this helped you.

-Jumper

Dec 20, 2015
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hi
by: Anonymous

you can try to lunge him for around 10 mins before riding if you have enough time, that will tire him out a bit more and might not be as fast.

Sep 01, 2015
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Try T-Touch
by: Anonymous

I recommend trying T-touch before you ride him, it is a massage that should help calm him down. You should be able to find it on the internet.

Aug 22, 2015
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My Advice
by: Sarah

I have a horse like that who is hot headed due to the way her breed is trained for the show ring. My instructor put her in a harsher bit that helped a little. Even then though the mare would just push through the pain.
Remind this pony that it's not all about fast, but obedience. You need to be in control of his own legs and show him who's boss. He's just going to have to deal with it, so never let him say "no" to your commands.
He can become "hard mouthed" if you just constantly hold your reins in a death grip to keep him from galloping and your arms will get sore. Bump on the bridle a few quick times when he tries to speed up. Also run him in circles-to make the turn he'll have to slow down.
An exercise you can do with him is make him walk along the fence in the arena. Then with the slightest cue possible and a squeeze of your legs tell him to trot for a desired amount of trot strides (maybe 5). After 5 slow him to a walk using your seat by relaxing and slightly sitting back in the saddle, pushing your legs forward (you can also slightly pull back with the reins just a bit). If he listens reward him with a pat. If he doesn't don't punish him-he's learning and he's going to be confused and resist at first. Keep insisting he walk and be gentle. After 50 trot strides pull him to a stop. Then try again and always be sure to squeeze your legs when going faster and using your set and weight when slowing down. Eventually, he'll get that he can only shift up a speed or down a speed when you ask and you won't have to hold him back using your reins so often-you can just ride with a loose rein. After he masters walk to trot, try trot to lope/canter.
I hope this helps a little!

Feb 15, 2015
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Switching Bits
by: Stefi + Cappy

Hi,

I used to have this problem where my pony would duck out of the ring or go too fast. I went from a snaffle to a kimberwick.
It's a strong bit that has a chain around the chin when you raise your hands. It's not jingly so it has full effect. Ponies are usually cute but silly and tricky. Even though we love them sometimes they need to be punished. Some exercises can be walking one step and then stopping or trotting and walking and stopping. Play with his gaits but don't let him run too long at one pace. The bit can be changed when your pony can stop easily and quickly. It should take about
1-2 months.

Hope this helps.

Dec 16, 2014
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I know a method.
by: HorseLover12

I think you should be bossy with him! Start of as a walk for 20 mins and then a trot then switch to walk then trot to canter then to walk and then to gallop to walk okay?

Dec 01, 2014
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Start with a walk
by: Alyssa the horse gentler

Okay let's start from the start first when you ride him or her next walk and get a little faster every day also show you pony that you are in control if he or she runs she or he does not get a treat if she or he does what you want give him or her a treat! Hope this helps.

Oct 24, 2014
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forgot
by: horselover14

OOPS! i forgot to say if you want his neck to soften up then stretch it before riding. take your right reign and pull it (gently!!) until his nose touches your boot then do the same with your left reign. sorry i forgot :P

Oct 24, 2014
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oh how I know how you feel
by: horselover14

Oh, I just love it when people have fast horses. I love fast!!:)
(I know this is probably out of date but I don't care)
anyway, here's what I suggest. I ride a horse just like yours, well, she's old and tall, her name is Babe. but she is REALLY fast. She used to compete in mounted shooting, and you need a fast horse to do that.
First, are you over cuing him? I used to over cue Babe. She shot off like a bullet and I nearly was out of the saddle. If you do, then there's your problem. if no then...
Are you tense when you ride him? knowing he will go fast might make you tense, he reads your mind and that makes him tense, making it worse.
Have you tried the "bump bump" method? it doesn't always work on Babe but since I don't own her I don't have the time to train her. the method works by, whenever you want your pony to slow down, you bump (which is basically squeezing two fingers slightly) your right reign twice, then the left twice, then the right twice, then the left twice, do you get the picture? you do that until he slows down and when he does that, even if it is only a little bit, you stop bumping and reward him, and it doesn't have to be food, it can be a rest, petting or whatever method you use to reward him. Then, once he catches on, gradually ask more of him. It will take time I promise you that, (Babe has been trained that for maybe five years and still hasn't gotten it) but I have ridden horses that respond immediately to the bumping. So, I hope this helps and if you have already solved this problem, then i hope that other riders who have this problem get help from it.

Keep riding! :) - horselover14

Oct 06, 2014
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Help! Founder Issue
by: Anonymous

Hey Girls!
I have a 13 yr old mare. She has been having problems with her feet, she walks toe heel and has pretty much destroyed all the cartilage in the back of her heel. So I bought her boots and that helped. But now because of the green grass and all the sugar she has almost foundered on me! I don't know how to help her. Other than only feed her hay, exercise her, put her boots on, hose her feet down. And put a muzzle on her to keep her from eating. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Sep 27, 2014
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My Advice
by: Anonymous

Try to stay calm yourself if you aren't already. Horses can pick up on fear or nervousness. He/she could be remembering an accident that he/she had before. If he had one.

Sep 25, 2014
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i know
by: Anonymous

i know how you feel my horse is crazy!!!! i soooooo need help training my horse joshels cadbury chomp! i neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed the help!

Sep 22, 2014
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All about control
by: Claire

Hey girl! Its all about your rein control. Get his attention by giving a quick (non-hurtful) flick to the reins and ask him to stop, if that doesn't work pull back a little harder. If you would rather a different way, get to know your horse, and find out what gets his attention.

Aug 20, 2014
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try this
by: senee

i don't know exactly what to do cuz im actually 12 but i think u could. i don't know what u really call it. it goes like u stand in the middle and u tie a rope to the horse and make the horse go around u don't force him though. so if u like to have control of the rope u could make him stop and reward him whenever he stops at ur command. u probably would not listen to a 12 yr old but i'm just telling u to try it who knows it might work :D

Apr 06, 2014
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Thanks
by: Morgan

Thanks for all your tips. I don't have a round pen sadly, I have tried for the past two years to use the fence to slow him down, pull his head to the fence so he has nowhere to go, but now he has a terrible outside bend. I can't use his inside rein to get him bending on the inside because he turns in off of the track. Thanks though!

Mar 30, 2014
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Get Down To Buisness!
by: Leila

Hiya!try this-

he seems like he's got too much unnecessary energy so if you have a walker then I think you should try putting him into it when he has spare time.(obviously don't put him in all the time as he needs his rest.)If a walker isn't available turn him out. As for the riding pull back and say 'WOOOOAAAAH!'nicely, calmly and slowly. If it doesn't work turn him in a circle and keep turning him in tighter circles until he gives up. don't worry an instructor won't mind you doing that as it's for your own sake but make sure you clarify to your instructor on what you are going to do to him before the lesson. Mean business with little Monty and don't let him get away with anything!:+)!

Mar 25, 2014
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Helping
by: Anonymous

Okay Like always I say to do a lot of ground work, it will help the bond and show him who is boss. I use Clinton Anderson he has a website and his videos can be found on YouTube. He is amazing!! Its natural horsemanship.

Lung him and do exercises before you ride, if he still speeds up. I want you to do lots of circles, if he still doesn't listen tighten up the circle a bit! I personally don't enjoy using the reins a lot so try to get him stopping when you sit deep it helps. To get him not to rush it also helps to set up 4 poles on a circle one at each side, this forces them to listen to you more and pace themselves.

Mar 22, 2014
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Try This
by: Sofia

I read in a Young Rider article that they posted on their website that was about how what you feed your horse affects its personality. If you give a hyper horse a feed with less energy, then it might make it slow down. Make sure to do any changes to your horse's diet slowly and ask your vet about changing your pony's feed before you do anything. Here's the link to the article:

http://www.youngrider.com/horse-nutrition/feeding-a-horse-101.aspx

Mar 01, 2014
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I ride a horse like yours !
by: Horse Lover #

so at the centre I ride a horse called pete. he's in his 20's and has the same problem as yours - they don't want to slow down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i just make him walk then do it again or if he won't stop i ride him in circles yes the walk to trot or canter takes a while if the horse still won't slow down but its worth it. I LOVE PETE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

hope I helped.

Feb 03, 2014
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Am in same situation
by: Anonymous

The pony that I ride does the same thing. What I usually do is free lunge him in a round pen with a saddle ( stirrups rolled up) and no halter or bridle. Also when he starts running turn him in a circle because he can't go anywhere without his head. Also at the beginning of the lesson when you are warming up do circles and see if he's responding. If he starts going to fast go in large circles as that makes him slow down. Hope this helps:)

Feb 03, 2014
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Am in same problem
by: Anonymous

ok so the pony i ride does the same thing so i usually free lunge (with a saddle in a round pen with no halter or bridle on) him before i ride him and use your circles. When he/she takes off sit up and pull his head to the right or left and then circle him he cant go anywhere with his head.

Jan 25, 2014
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Thanks
by: Morgan

Thanks for the help. By the way, I can't pull on Monty's mouth because he'd pull him head down and go faster.Thanks for the bending tip though! I'll definitely try that out!
Monty is getting enough turnout and he is on the right food, advised by the vet. Thanks anyway.

Jan 25, 2014
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Looks like you need some help here
by: Nikki

I realize you know how to make a pony slow down but your pony obviously doesn't want to. I would start from the floor, lunging. Get him to slow down by voice. It may take a while, though. I used to own a 15hh horse called Minstrel and he was just like your pony. I had to lunge him a lot. Does your pony have his head high, I wonder? If you have got a pessoa, use that. Very helpful. Otherwise just lunge him. Maybe get somebody to lunge him while you ride him.
Hope this helps!

Jan 22, 2014
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hope this helps
by: sweetie 22

this might help. i would start by doing some more ground work and start with the basics.

Jan 04, 2014
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Try this!
by: horseluver4evernever

To slow him down pull back on the reins. While doing this Say the word "WOAHHHHHH" in a deep voice. Horses recognize tone, not voice. Talk to him also. When i'm out on a trail ride, and i'm by myself, I sing quietly to my horse to calm her. Do you feed your horse any grain? Talk to your local feed store about which grain has a lot of energy-giving nutrients. An old trainer of mine also told me that moving your ring finger while your horse is moving keeps them concentrated on the bit. Move it gently back and forth. You also need to be confident in yourself and take charge. If he is still fats, I suggest lunging him before you ride. Or if you have an indoor arena, let him loose in their to get his energy out. Also, ask yourself 'How much turnout is he getting?' if he is not getting turned out enough, Turn him out more. The longer he's outside, the less energy he will have.

To keep him bent, Apply pressure with your inside leg and keep your inside rein shorter. The leg will keep his body pushed to the outside, the rein will keep his head turned.

I hope this helped at least a little bit! Good Luck!!!!! :)

Aug 16, 2014
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Help me! My pony won't slow down
by: champion rider

Hi,my name is caley. My pony HAS the same problem. He has been getting better. He is a pony named Tex and only 14 hands tall and 15 years old.BUT he has a problem, he bits and kicks. When i ride him he spooks him self and when hen i canter at shows or in the arena for fun, he would take off and buck ON UNCONTROLLABLY! { Hes Gotten Better] I bring him inside form the pasture, then i groom him. I take him down to the arena and free lunge him to get hes bucks out and that bad energy when i canter.

After lunging, tack him up and get on him. {I warm up and all that stuff} before i canter, i shorting my reins and stirrups. So if he wont stop, i can take control. If your horse will NOT stop do a 20 meter circle, if that doesn't work you do a smaller circle and just keep getting smaller. { NOT to the point where you or the horse will get hurt.]

If that doesn't work do REALLY hard half halts then give and keep repeating and hopefully he/she will stop. Best of luck to you.

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