How to Train a Horse to Slow Down at the Canter

Nobody wants to ride a horse that is running away at the canter. Whether you're riding for pleasure or training to show the horse, an out-of-control canter is a nuisance, and it can also be dangerous. Training a horse to slow down will take some time and repetition. But after following these steps, you will have an animal that will be able to relax at the canter, which is the key to a smooth, controllable and comfortable gait.

Things You'll Need

  • Round pen
  • Long lines
  • A good working bridle and saddle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start on the ground. Ideally, you should have access to a round pen in which to work your horse. Saddle and bridle him as you normally would. Then simply clip the long lines to the upper part of the girth, run them through the loops on each side of the bit and take a hold of the ends of the lines. (See photo.) Most of the best trainers use long lining to work their horses. This puts you in a position to watch the horse's body language and work with your hands gently to get him to relax as he goes through his gaits.

    • 2

      Focus on getting your horse to drop her chin closer to her chest. Even if you ultimately do not want her to canter with her head in this position, do not worry about it. You can raise her back up when the time is right. For now, drop her down, working that bit gently in her mouth. This should be done at the walk first. Turn her often, to gently encourage her to bend her neck to the left and then the right. By building a flexible neck, you are building a supple mouth that will respond to your touch. Never try to slow her down or control her simply by pulling on that bit. You cannot out-pull a horse, and this will just make her want to pull back. Then you have a growing problem. It is all about "give and take" here. When she gives and relaxes, you give back by loosening your hold on her.

    • 3

      Ease your horse into the next gait when you can see and feel he is relaxing. You can go into a trot first, or immediately into a canter if you like. At this point, you are still working him from the ground in the round pen. If he begins to take the bit and charge off, ease him back down into a walk and get him relaxed again. Keep his chin toward the chest, with the neck very flexible. Talk to him in a soothing voice. You will eventually be doing this on his back, so he should get used to hearing your voice now. Use as many training sessions with the long lines as are necessary to get him where he needs to be.

    • 4

      When you have accomplished what you want from the ground, get ready to practice the same technique on your horse's back. You want to "mimic" the work with the long lines as much as possible. So do not raise your hands up too high. That will make you less steady and likely cause your horse to tense up. Keep your hands lower and steady. Start on her back in the round pen. If she charges off at the canter, ease her back and bend and flex that neck. Then start again. Don't forget to use your voice. Keep a deep seat to make her feel secure. If you are popping up and down in the saddle, that will throw off her gait.

    • 5

      Take your horse into a more open area when you feel he is ready: a field, an arena .... wherever you would normally be riding him. Again, always start with bending and flexing at the walk. Make sure he is warmed up and his back is not tense. Then ease into the canter. Even if you are in a wide-open field, it is good to turn and circle him while he is cantering to keep him flexible and supple. Once he has done this a number of times successfully, you can begin working to raise him up in the bridle a little if you want to re-position his head. Just be sure he does not start to pull or tense up.