I have a Green broke 2-1/2 year old TWH Mare. Each time I get her in the round pen I expect her to kick up her heels,buck etc.. Instead she races around like her tail is on fire. She does turn when I ask but has one speed, fast. Once she is lathered and breathing rather heavy then she asks to come into the center. Most of the time I am just standing watching her not asking a thing of her. I hate to see her all in a tizzy like this. What else can I do to get her to listen and slow down to do her Flat walk and switch to a Rack or a dog walk?
Thank you any advise is very much appreciated.
Jan
from SC
Jan, you need to do one of two things either put her back on line or if you decide to keep her at liberty in the round pen change her direction often while she is on the rail running. If you think you don't have the skill level to quickly change her direction when she is at liberty then put her back on line. It wouldn't hurt to let her get rid of some of the pent up energy she must have by putting her in the round pen by herself and let her play before you even enter. But once you enter it is your job to get her attention and lots and lots of change of direction will do this if you are athletic enough and your timing is good enough to get it done.
If you choose to go back on line use a long lead on the horse, at least 22 ft. This way you can be far away from her and still slow her down. You can even stop her from running by putting a vertical feel in the lead which discourages her from running forward because she keeps running into the movement of the rope under her chin. Start light at first but get as firm and big as necessary to slow the horse down. Don't stop until she either slows down or stops. The rest of the time let the belly of the rope fall on the ground like it isn't there, but the instant she takes off, wiggle the rope vertically to remind her she doesn't need to run around like a chicken with her head cut off.
Essentially you are interrupting the idea of running off every time she thinks of it. Pretty soon she won't think of it any more. But you have to stay focused and consistent. You cannot give up until she decides to go at the speed you are visualizing in your mind.
If you decide to remain at liberty and not put on the long lead, get a stick with a string, plastic bag, or flag on the end of it. Not a whip. We are not going to hit the horse we are going to influence her direction. The stick just makes your arm longer and the flag causes a motion for the horse to want to move away from. Make sure she is not afraid of your stick and flag before you start. Every time she starts to run you are going to step in front of the drive line putting the stick out in front of her nose and wave it, causing the horse to change directions. For now, it matters not to us whether she turns to the outside or the inside. Eventually you would want her to turn towards the inside. But for now we will just be happy when she changes directions.
The moment she changes directions, if she is going slower, stand in the middle of the pen relaxed with no pressure on the horse. The moment she speeds up immediately change directions. I mean right now. Your timing needs to be good, that is why you need to be athletic. Do this as often as it takes and she will stop running. In fact she will want to come in to you to rest. If she turns and faces you for even a second, stop and walk away, your horse will join up with you.
The key element whether you go back on line or stay at liberty is to interrupt the behavior. Get her paying attention to you and thinking you are the most important thing in the round pen. Visualize what you want her to look like, and be sure your energy is projecting the same intention.
If you have any further questions, please let me know. I would like to hear back from you after you try this. You can also join my yahoo chat group, for lots of support from me and my students.
Happy Trails,
sherry
