Expert: Rick Gore Horsemanship - 6/23/2009

Question
Hello:
My am 59 and I've ridden since I was  12.  I've tried to hold my horse Cruiser (whom I've had for 6 years) back. He is with 2 other horses in a pasture. Cruiser is a 15.1 12 yr old stout gelding.

Although this horse has had over 1000 trail miles (steep mountain trails), when he is in the lead if I allow by slacking the reins, he will slowly build into a trot and keep picking up speed until reaching a run, uphill or down (a 100 or 200 steep rocky incline, places where I'd like him to pick his way through, he charges sometimes to the point of running into the horse in front of him!). I've tried to hold him back, but he tosses his head and throws a fit.  On some of trails we ride, this isn't a good thing!

If he is behind other horses, he won't walk fast enough to keep up, he either drops back and trots to catch up or trots all the time.  Also, if other horses start to move at all away from him, he will act up and want to start going before I am completely mounted.

The main 2 issues are he won't walk fast enough to keep up (he'd rather trot all the time) and he doesn't lope. And #2:  He goes from trot to a full run.

Thanks for help!!

Rocky

Answer
Your question is confusing and it sounds like the horse is confused.  A horse needs direction, holding a horse back only make him want to push and pull more.  It sounds like you need to be cleared on what you want and give good clear direction to the horse.  He is trotting when he wants.  You keep telling me what the horse is doing.  I am more concerned about what you are doing or not doing.

If he walks too slow make him trot, stop him, back him up and tell him to walk.  I would be you end up fighting with this horse, you both get worked up and fuss and neither is having much fun and it is dangerous.

Take control with one rein. Use ONE rein to redirect his head, change his direction, get him attention back on you and not on keeping up or doing what he wants.

He is asking you for direction, he is telling you that he is confused and is trying to find the right answer.  You said he had 1000 trails, either has been doing this for all 1000 or it just start, why did it start, did it start with you, how was he before, all these answers will help you find the answer.  Every time this horse changes gaits, you need to stop him and back him up.  You have to do this so the horse connects the two.... if you wait too long it will not work, so timing is key.

Once this horse sees that you control his feet, you control which way he moves, you can stop him and that not listening to you means he gets work he will start wanting to listen to you.

I still see this as a you issue.  Fix what you are doing or not doing and the horse will get better.

Rick