How to Slow Down a Fast-Walking Horse

Some horses are naturally more energetic than others, and will walk with a longer stride. However, many horses are unbalanced and use speed as a way of evading the rider's aids. Their walk becomes faster and faster until they are almost running, which is uncomfortable for the rider and means that the horse is not working correctly. It's an easy problem to address, but requires consistency and patience on rider's part.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Level riding arena
  • Tack
  • Riding Helmet
  • Assistant (optional)
  • Jump poles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ride round the arena at your normal pace. Ensure that you are not keeping your legs on or driving on with your seat, thus accidentally asking your horse to walk faster. If necessary, ask someone to check your position.

    • 2

      Ride a small circle in each corner of the arena. As you come out of the circle onto a straight line, half halt with your outside hand by squeezing the rein whilst moving your hand slightly upwards. Keep your back and legs supple.

    • 3

      Continue to ride in circles, but ask for a distinct change of pace along the short sides of the arena. Ask your horse to walk along the long wides at its normal pace, but slowly along the short sides. If necessary, half halt at every stride until your horse understands what you are asking. If he continues to rush, turn onto a small circle until he relaxes, before continuing. Varying the pace like this will encourage your horse to carry itself rather than run on in an unbalanced manner.

    • 4

      Introduce some jump poles, spaced about 4' apart. Before riding over them, ride around the poles in an S shape, then ride circles around them. Bring your horse onto a straight line and walk it over the poles, half halting as it crosses each one. This will encourage it to lift its feet up properly and look at what is happening on the ground. As you give it more to concentrate on, your horse will slow its pace.