"Lets trot like maniacs!"

[tbjumper127]

:)

Well, as I said when I first joined this forum a few months back, I have a 5 year old OTTB Big Boy. He's very sane, but still has to learn like..a lot. :D One problem that we've always had, and that my instructor is trying to help us with, is after we first canter, he gets very rushy. We're working on bending at the poll and flexion at the poll, and that all goes to confetti after we've cantered. After we get him like tired from trotting, he'll settle down, but for the most part afterwards he ignores half halts and trots around like a maniac. Nose in the air, rush-rush-rush, and it gets annooyinnggg. His canter is slowly coming into place, but his trot is still all messy.

Any tips? Excersizes? Advice?
Thanks.

[BeachRiding]

I have the same EXACT problem! Except my 5 year old is a previous Barrel Racer. Would love to see what replies you get!

[julia gulia]

Have you tried circling him every time he speeds up in trot? Keep circling him 'til he slows down and then allow him to continue on in a straight line but if he speeds up again? circle him. Also, don't post to the pace he is setting, Post at the pace you want him at:) You might want to forget about the canter for a while until you have the trot worked out. Hope this helps:D

[tbjumper127]

Have you tried circling him every time he speeds up in trot? Keep circling him 'til he slows down and then allow him to continue on in a straight line but if he speeds up again? circle him. Also, don't post to the pace he is setting, Post at the pace you want him at:) You might want to forget about the canter for a while until you have the trot worked out. Hope this helps:D

Thanks..that's helpful! :)

But his trot is fine before we canter. I can spend a whole ride on trotting, and it's absolutley fine, he's nice and balanced. But once we canter, and try to do trot work after, he's very rushy and wants to canter again.

[KateWooten]

Have you tried doing passenger lessons with him at a canter ? Ask him to canter, then throw away the reins and just sit there for 20 minutes. Nice if you have a safe boring arena to play it in ...more interesting if there are obstacles :D (ok, maybe leave that one for later). Leave the horse to decide where you go - but correct him as soon as he falls down to trot. After 20 minutes, stop and stand and breathe for a while. It kind of takes the edge of excitement off a canter. Also passenger lesson in trot can be useful - if you're consistent. Once they've got the idea that, ok, if we start to trot we're going to keep at it for the next 20 minutes they're slightly less keen to race ahead with it, and slightly more keen to listen out for what you want.

[tbjumper127]

Ooh, thanks Kate..I'll have to try that with him next time I ride..