Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Speed Control

Jerry says "For a while we have a controlled trot, but then the horse, 
feeling good, starts picking up speed. To much for my comfort and it's a 
battle trying to hold him back."

The thing to do is slow the horse BEFORE he actually gets a chance to pick up 
speed.  That means when he takes that first stride faster than the speed you 
want, check him back.  It's helpful if you can do a half-halt using your seat 
too, not just the bit.  This is a good thing to practice in the arena for 
starters.  Sometimes it takes maneuvers like circling, or shoulder-in to 
break the speed cycle.  What you do is let the horse go, then when he first 
starts to speed up, turn him in a circle or a shoulder-in (if he's advanced 
enough in his training to be able to do some lateral work)  when he slows 
back to the acceptable speed, go straight again.  

He has gotten used to being able to speed up when he wants, you have to 
convince him that he can only speed up when YOU ask for it.  Most horses pick 
this up pretty fast in the arena, it's going back out on the trails where it 
gets tricky.  But basically it's the same thing, only without confinement.  
Start in an area where you can circle (or whatever maneuver works to slow him 
down)  It's probably easier if you can go out with a partner who understands 
your training goal, and won't let their horse go too fast.  Lots of times two 
horses together get into a race mentality.  

If you have been riding for 19 years, your riding skills are probably okay, 
it's just the fear of taking a green horse into an area where he CAN RUN AWAY 
with you that makes the difference.  Most horses I have ridden tend to speed 
up if given a chance.  Check also to make sure that you are not inadvertently 
giving "Go Faster" cues, for instance gripping with the legs, or leaning 
forward can both convince a green horse that you want him to go faster, when 
you believe you are just trying to keep up with the given speed.  When he 
goes faster, try deliberately leaning back.  It will feel really strange at 
first.  A new horse can mean a new balance for the rider too.

A different bit is not necessarily going to make a difference, a horse can 
run away in anything if he sets his mind to it.  Doesn't sound like your 
horse needs a heavier bit, just needs to understand slow down cues and you 
need to give them from the start, rather than realizing your going to fast 
than trying to slow down from a near runaway.  Good luck,   jeri

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