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  Discussion on Trail Riding Speed Control
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Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 3:33 pm:

Please let me know if this has been covered in past discussions. I did search the site, but couldn't find much on the topic. Went for a trail ride yesterday with my 9 year old Arab mare, along with riders on the three horses she is pastured with ... The continuing problem is that she must be the leader, pinning her ears and charging ahead if another horse gets in front. Yesterday she even threaten to kick when another horse got too close to her rear. She fights to trot ahead - way, way ahead. In the arena I can bring her down from trot and canter to a walk with no problem. On the trail, it's a constant battle. Here's what I do - she's in a fast trot, I take a breath, sit back slightly, tighten the reins and give my "waaaalk" verbal cue (our technique in the arena). She slows down to a walk for a few steps, so I "release" back to loose rein because she's doing what I asked. Instantly she's back in the trot again! So next I tried holding back steady -resulting in head tossing and biting the shank of her hackamore, actually getting it clamped in her teeth! That really bothered me, I released the steady hold and tried turning, turning in circles to slow her down. The instant we came out of the circle, she was "off and running" again. I did lounge her and ride her in the arena before we left on the trail, but not enough to tire her down. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Posted on Monday, Oct 16, 2000 - 7:08 pm:

I don't think you can make an Arabian tired unless you're willing to ride 50 miles or so.

My (now) older Arabian gelding has the same tendency to want to be ahead of the group, although he doesn't kick at other horses behind him.

Through the years, we've developed a scheme: I politely excuse myself from the group, put some distance between us & them, then let him pick his gait. Usually he'll trot for awhile--until he gets it out of his system--then we'll turn around & rejoin the group. Everybody's happy. He's not terrorizing the other horses, I'm not killing myself keeping him in check, & it gives the other riders in our party a chance to talk about us behind our backs.

This horse, by the way, has never been suicidal; not apt to barrel off while he's alone, but is a tough ride if he's running with other horses.

You might want to try something similar if it doesn't offend your program to let the horse have its way now and then.

Good luck.

Posted on Monday, Jan 7, 2002 - 8:25 pm:

Being experienced with Arabs also (have 4 myself), I have run into this problem. My gelding, Junior has been my competitive and endurance horse...and 50 miles just about gets him in a nice quiet frame of mind..LOL.

It may take some practice, and some patient friends to trail ride with. Junior is also very competitive, and demands to be the front runner, but now he is much better behaved. It will take more than a few circles to keep their attention. Initially, he's very excited and is ready to roll. But I don't let him have his way. We will walk in a circles until he calms down enough to refocus some of his attention on me. It won't be slow going though. We may jig the first few miles sometimes, but the idea is to try to calm him down, stay relaxed. Faster walking trail riding buddies tend to help keep him from walking up their butts. Try to let your friends ride ahead and out of sight...although this may make your situation temporarily worse if your horse doesen't like his/her friends leaving.

This took about a year. I kept it as consistent as possible, trying not to get really mad..LOL. Just slowing training, training, training. Him also maturing helped also. He was still a stallion at this stage, and I rode him for years like this.

Lunging will just get her in more shape to last even longer jigging down the trail...it won't tire her out!

I also agree with Eveo...

You may have to put a red ribbon on her tail and warn people that she kicks. Just a part of life. I would try to disipline any bad behavior. Remember, those A-rabs are smart. They may try to intimidate you into getting their own way. Make her think it's her idea to relax... (still working on the Zen of Arabs myself... ;)

Tara.

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 8, 2002 - 7:31 pm:

Hi Tara, it was so nice to see your post, as my original question on speed control was over a year ago. Is that Junior in your profile photo? Beautiful picture, both the lighting and the horse! Well, I still have my Arab mare (Missy) and since that post in Oct. 2000 we have improved our trail control. I don't use the mechanical hackamore with the long shanks anymore. In fact, we only ride with a scrawbridge, an English style sidepull (basically a soft halter with rings for reins, no knots). So I control her with direct rein circle pulls, back-ups, just plain whoas and sit and wait. She seems to understand every word I say. You are absolutely correct about Arab Zen. We do ride in our arena nearly every day, and working at a trot, of course, has become "work". So out on the trail now I've noticed that when she starts into a trot and I let her go, she'll suddenly seem to remember "I don't want to work this hard" and just slow down on her own. And now that she's a year older (11) than my first post, I've noticed a slight slow down in attitude. To be honest, I have not really put her to the test in a big hours long community trail ride with lots of strange horses, however. But close to home we are doing much, much better. Thanks again for your good advice.

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 9, 2002 - 8:08 am:

I want to take the time to thank you Linda for the update. So often we get requests and give advice and then never hear again about results and outcomes. Your post, along with Eveo's and Tara's suggestions really should help those struggling with this common problem.
DrO
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