She refuses to stop!!!

[Chanzy88]

My five year old mare flat-out refuses to walk or stop. :mad: I lunge her for at least 20 min. before I ride her. I had her in a twisted snaffle gag, where she would stop when she wanted too, but I switched her into a regular snaffle and she will stop, but only after going in a small circle at a walk or trot for about 3 min. before she slows to a stop, on her time. I plan to switch her back to the twisted snaffle gag, but I really could use help here. :o I can get her to go no problem, but stopping or even slowing down are the hardest thing in the world for her( I keep my heals out of her, thats not part of the problem). I'm not the best rider and am in no way a trainer, but I really hate going in small circle for minutes just to get her to stop(half-way, not even a full stop). Once I get her to stop, she just goes into a trot, never a walk. It's really annoying. The only way I get her to walk is if I ask her to right when I first get on, but as soon as I ask her to trot or lope, she refuses to go back down into a walk for more than two strides. After loping, the slowest she will go is a trot, never a walk or stop. I'm at my wits end on this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!

[StarGirl]

You need a trainer...:(

[Maxers]

Hmm......That's a real puzzler. Maybe try lunging her with her bridle on and try to get her to stop and if she doesn't stop give her a tug on the mouth. And if she still won't stop I'd go back to the twisted snaffle gag and try to teach her to stop on the lunge line with the twisted snaffle gag in. Or you could lunge her for alot more or you could walk her for a while then trot then walk then trot then walk and over and over again until she stops when you ask her.

[fjane]

well do what discipline do you ride? and what was her training before? also do you just use hand or do you use seat and leg aid... you may want to try practicing in the gag bit just sitting down and stopping all movement and ask her to stop just with your seat... (it has helped me with a hot little morgan)... it's something dressage riders use... seat can be an amazing aid... make sure you use it... and don't depend on your hands...
your seat is your most important aid... and I'm sure people will disagree with me there... but definately get the help of a trainer... they will be able to help you better than we can

[Chanzy88]

I do lunge her with her bridle and saddle on. I even put the rope under her chin and attatch it to the other side of the snaffle so I'm pulling through the bit, not just one side of it. She will walk for a few strides but then goes straight into a lope or trot when I lunge her. She has little problems while on the lunge line (minus stopping on occasion). :(

About the trainer comment, I would love to take her to a trainer, I even have an amazing one picked out, but I'm a very poor college student and don't have the $600-800 a month it would cost to just send her to a trainer, plus pay $200 more to keep her stall at the place I board her. That amount of money is how much I make working my measly job in a few months period and I still have to pay for school. Training is just not an option right now. But a lovely idea! ;)

As to her training, she just needs to be finished in reining, she loves to spin but hates sliding stops(I think someone scared her with them). She's bred as a cow horse, but I have no interest in that. We are starting Dressage next week (through Oregon State, part of my bac core classes). I've done halter with her, and we've been working on Western Pleasure and soon Hunter under Saddle. I ride western with her, but I will be starting english soon. I use my legs when needed and I have a great seat, so I will try your suggestion. She responds to leg well and is doing well in neck reining, so she needs something else. Hopefully the seat suggestion works. Thanks! :)

[theprancingpony]

try doing in-hand ground work, just a halter and lead rope, forward, back, halt, turn... the basics. then, with just a halter and lunge line, she needs to learn how to stop on the lunge line. to fix things like that you have to go back to the beginning and make sure she knows what "whoa" means.

[StarGirl]

I didn't mean take her to a trainer, I meant get a trainer, take lessons, a trainer will be able to see what's going on withyou and your horse. :)

[minimetoo]

I didn't mean take her to a trainer, I meant get a trainer, take lessons, a trainer will be able to see what's going on withyou and your horse. :)
I had the same problem with my arab. I taught her to move her hips over . So when she would go to fast I would keep moving her hips from one side to the other. After about a half mile she went into a nice fast walk and I have never had the problem again. It worked like a charm. It is John Lyons training method. I think it would help you.

[Chinook]

i had the same problem and found out it was my bit. if you ride western switch over to a curb and it should help (dont worry about it being rough- it just gives extra omph when u really need it). if you cant do that try the lyon's training metioned by minimetoo or lunging with a bridle and making her stop then. shes 5- it will just take a lot of wet saddle pads (a lot of riding) for you horse to get the consept of slow.

[bethfornow]

this should work. Its called a spinning stop. Barrell racers use it sometimes to stop excited horses.

When you ask her to whoa, make sure you ask calmly, using seat first then hands. Give her EVERY opprunity to stop on her on. When she dosn't, move your hand up the rein untill its about 6-8 inches from her mouth then pull her head arround to your knee. You want her head to far enough arround that its impossible for her to trot any peroid of time. Keep her head in that exact possition untill she stops.

Be expecting her to spook or buck the first couple of times but after that she learn that stopping is alot easier than spinning. you have to have a good seat for this because you must stay calm and balanced while she figures out that all she has to do is stop to relieve the pressure.

good luck

[barrel_racer14]

hmmmm i had a barrel horse that did the same thing. all i can say is that every time that she wants to go faster than u want just pull her head in but not too tight. but make sure that ur not squeezing with ur legs. and u should use a snaffle b/c a snaffle gag will most likely just make her wanna buck or act inappropriately. but when u pull her head in make sure that ur ready for anything. anyquestions just ask i'm open for it

cowgirl up,
christina

[DarkChylde]

Before I offer advice, just need to clarify first.
Does she stop in hand and stand? WHen you lounge her, does she stop and stand well, and wait for your next command? Or is it only under saddle she doesn't stop? WHat are you training her for? (Barrel racing, western pleasure, trail riding, ect)
I will be glad to offer what help I can, just needed more info... :)

[Chanzy88]

Before I offer advice, just need to clarify first.
Does she stop in hand and stand? WHen you lounge her, does she stop and stand well, and wait for your next command? Or is it only under saddle she doesn't stop? WHat are you training her for? (Barrel racing, western pleasure, trail riding, ect)
I will be glad to offer what help I can, just needed more info... :)

She does just fine stopping in hand and she will gladly stop during lunging and wait for my command (it took a while to get to this point). It's only under saddle that she refuses to stop. Right now, we are working on western pleasure, she has a great collected lope and does a great slow jog, but her walk is too fast, so we want to slow that down. She will soon be started english, but first I want to fix this problem. I plan on doing barrels someday, but not yet. Hope this helps...

FYI, she was in a twisted snaffle gag when I got her, and she does a much better job in it, but just a plain snaffle, she flat out ignores me when it comes to slowing down. I haven't had a chance to try out any of these techniques yet, but I will try every one on Saturday, the next day I have off of work. Thanks to everyone who replied, I will update and continue to answer questions! Thank yoU!

[DarkChylde]

When I work with a horse, the stop is their 'reward', but many times a horse that isn't taught that willnot understand.
When you ask for the stop you need to 'lean' back, or sit back when you ask for the stop, kinda putting your feet forward. My husband had two problems with our gelding - not wanting to stop or collect any, and fighting for his head. After watching him ride, I pointed out that if he'd lighten up on the reins, and use his wieght and legs for what he wanted, the head thing would stop. Also, he would ask the horse to stop while leaning forward. This sends mixed messages to the horse, and they become frustrated, so watch what you are doing with your weight and legs.
If I may suggest, work extensively on getting your horse to stop at the walk, with as little pressure as possible, lightening her up on the bit. When she performs this well at the walk, then progress to asking her to trot, and then stop. Stand her still for a moment, and ALWAYS ask for the stop on 'low volume', and turn it up if she doesn't respond. THE INSTANT she stops, make sure you make her comfortable, to show her that is what you wanted. I would suggest the first few times, when she comes to a 'soft' stop for you, LESSON OVER - do something nice for her (hand-grazing, good rinse off, that sort of thing.) Never run it in the ground when they get it, and that is their reward. 'Once you get what you want, leave them alone,' says my hero Ray Hunt.
Once you have her stopping at the other gaits, then progress to stopping her at the canter.
Ground driving may help, but that can be complicated for someone who isnt used to it. Should you want to go that route, I would be glad to help. Can soften up the horse and make her more responsive, without the distraction of a rider. I ground drive ALMOST every horse I work with.
I would also recommend trying round penning with her, I do that with EVERY horse I work with, and I use Gawani Pony Boy's method (mostimes). There are alot of techniques out there along this line, but I was like you and not made of money, so I couldn't afford alot of the programs offered- but Pony Boy has a DVD (as well as books, but the DVD helps to 'see' it in action) called 'Horse, Follow Closely' for $20 from County Supply, I think you can order it on www.horse.com . I used his and Ray Hunt's methods alot, and they work wonderfully for me. It takes you back to basics, and that may be what is needed.
Best of luck, keep us posted! Brightest Blessings! :cool:

[Spices1andOnly]

my friend had trouble with her horse like that and what she ended up doing was taking one rein really tight and spinning her so she couldn't go faster than a walk. now her horse is doing fine with that but, of course, decided to find a new bad habit :) i also had to spin my horse when she would occasionally try to take off on me, as soon as i felt her speeding up i'd spin her til she stopped

[horsiedork]

well, i would try out a few types of bits, but sence she hates to walk/stop, what i would try is taking the time to, when she dosent listen after picking up a faster gate, make her ONLY walk and stop for like 1/2 hour - hour. till she gets the idea that if she dosent do it the first time, thats all she'll be able to do.

~HorsieDork!~

[Ruby Rider]

well, i had the kinda same problam...exsept when i was mounting...oh well but what your horse is thinking is that she is boss and she can make her own dissisions...but what i think you need to do is round pen her show her YOU are boss and whaat really helps is that you can teach her the one rein stop...if you don't want to do that make shure you are sitting deep in the saddle when you stop... in the case of my horse when i get to a stop she goes again... but what stops the horse and keeps them a t a stop is when you stop adamadicly make them back up... you also if she is hard on the bit to stop 1st gently try to stop her and then if she dosent stop try to stop her harder ... but if she absolutly WON"T stop.... go to a harsher bit but if she is still hard mouthed on that bit it isnt the bit you should change it is the training... so you should get some Clinton Anderson training tapes.
if you want more info talk to me

[bethfornow]

did any of the sugestions help??

~just curious~ :)

[saddleseatsweetie]

alright i know this is goign to sound really awkward but leg is actually the key
my horse used to be the exact same way
i suggest getting some spurs then really put them on her
i know u would think spurs leg means go but if you apply enough pressure they slow down and will even stop from spurs alone
my horse use to grab the bit and run
a harsher bit isnt the answer becuase u can do ebverything wiht ur legs alone
if you want osme more help message me, like i said i had the same problem with my horse, i laso had a trainer that helped me and taught me so i know how to do everyhtign she did

[horsesxox23]

i dont think her horse was taught the spur stop, horses that stop w/ spurs are trained to

[bethfornow]

I agree. Only horses that are trained to spur stop know that slowing down relieves pressure. A young inexpierenced horse WILL FREAK OUT if you just go grab a pair of frkin huge "cow boy" spurs and dig 'em in to her when she starts going fast.

If you want to teach her a spur stop then you can but you need to start slowly and with ball spurs, teaching her to associate bit pressure with spur pressure. When shes got that SOLIDLY down pat then you might want to move on to "corrective" spurs but like I said, not right away.

Sorry for the novel, I just HATE to go to shows and see people wearing 6 in long spurs with sharp rowels on three year olds who are too young to be punished for just having energy.

[MustangGam3r]

i have trained horses that have tha problem i suggest that you start off in a pound pen (carry a whip or an ouver and under) or in an arena and ask for a trot or a lope and then ask for a stop if she doesn't listen after two trys of pulling harshly on her mouth then use the whip or over and under whip to push her it's like reverse phsycology... push her until she wants to stop, but don't let her make her work about a minute more after sh'e wants to stop. the walk her for a bit and then ask for another lope and try the stop again starting off with your normal pull back and whoa then continueing with harsher pulling if she doesn't stop. eventually your horse will realize that if she doesn't do what you ask there will be consequences. i also suggest a wonder bit using the largest hoop.
good luck
Erika

[horsesxox23]

no harsh bits, no harsh pulling, no offense, if i did that with petey, he would have a hard mouth and numb sides, and a head tossing problem, if she goes to run off on u just take your hand about 10" from the bit and pull her head straight to your foot until she stops, she cant rear, buck, or run in that position, and just seasaw on her mouth lightly but with firm pressure and immediate release at a good sign, just dont put a harsher bit on this horse, it will most likely ruin her more than help.

[bethfornow]

maybe not ruin her but it deffinitly would cause other problems in the future. I agree with horsexo23, the best way to stop this is spinning stops.

I've had the same problem before and have used both reverse psycocogy and spinning stops. Both work but spinning stops provide better results over a shorter ammount of time.

PS I'm sure this has been said but make sure that you are asking her to stop with your seat and legs BEFORE you ask her with you hands.

[Chanzy88]

:o After some serious riding and work, we put her in a different martingale with different reins. We started over with keeping her head down and it seems to be working well. She's back in a snaffle gag bit when riding but will be learning to use a low port curb bit soon. I've been working on my seat and using that to stop, not just relying on my hands. After asking her to stop, I always make her take a step back and then give her her head. She learned that really fast, same thing with walking and trotting to get her head down instead of in my face. So far things are 150 times better! I decided to breed her to Casper2002's stud, so hopefully being bred will help with her anxiety and buddy-sour issues (Just in the last two days after breeding, she is a completely different horse!). :)

[DressageDoll]

The last thing I would do on a young fast horse is a spinning stop. An unbalanced horse could easily fall or hurt themselves simply by hitting their legs together to hard...
I ride dressage and the way we train our horses to slow from gait to gait to stop is all with our seat. A fully and correctly trained dressage horse will move off your seat almost instantly and do anything. from halt, trot, canter, passage or piaff, Leg yields and half passes. Lateral work can come in handy to balance and slow the horse (similar to john lyons method.) The key is to use it in between gaits training her to listen to the cues from your seat and your legs on a 20 meter circle pick up the canter and sit very still stopping your seat completely then push with your outside leg making your circle slowly spiral in to 10 Meters and then spiral back out.... all this time sit very steady think whoah the whole time, but don't pull or touch the mouth except for light half halts on the outside rein to control the shoulder. She should eventually brake to the trot and then continue moving in and out spiraling until she moves to the walk. From the walk the halt should come more easily. It may take a long time but not only will this exercise make her stronger and more balanced, it will also help her learn to focus on your cues and you'll find she'll get better fairly quickly. Have fun! Write me if you have any questions.

[bethfornow]

But were not talking about a seasoned horse. We're talking about a horse that dosn;t listen to the riders seat either through inexpierence or knowing she dosn't have to.

A spinning stop is a repremand. it is to be used once or twice untill the mare learns that is what happens when she dosn't stop. I'm not sure about the leg banging. I don't know how they would unless they step on them selves and that can happen any ways so........

but to each his own.