By Nicole Fava
Whether we are learning to ride or are trainers ourselves, we’ve all ridden a horse that is a bit more energetic than the rest. And when I say “energetic”, I’m referring to a wide range of traits that make this particular horse more challenging to ride.
Perhaps this horse has great acceleration but lacks the desire to stop or turn. Maybe they are easily spooked or distracted. Or, perhaps this horse is hypersensitive to cues, and you find yourself going from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds.
No matter what challenges a high-strung, nervous or anxious horse throws your way, here are some tips to manage them.
Brake Check!
The best way to create rideability in a high-strung horse is to ensure that they respond to half-halts and stopping cues. When I say “half-halt”, I’m referring to the hidden aid that cues our horse to rebalance. Teaching a horse to halt on cue will also help improve their response to your half-halt, as the two go hand-in-hand.
Whenever I ask my horse to halt, I sit up tall, sit down deeper into the saddle, push my heels down, and depending on the discipline I’m riding, I might say “whoa”. I will squeeze the reins in the process. If my horse does not stop with minimal rein pressure, I will apply more pressure until the stop is achieved.
You want your horse to halt on their hind end, which will in turn create a more complete and immediate halt. To encourage this, you can back your horse up a few steps after every halt. With repetition, you’ll notice your horse wanting to rock back into every stop and lift their weight off of their front end naturally. When front their front end gets lighter, forward motion is taken away. Even your hot-headed horse will be lighter in your hands and will start to respond to a gentler stopping cue.
Circles Are Your Friend
Naturally, circles are more difficult for a horse than straight lines. The smaller the circle, the slower your horse will want to travel. If you’re riding a forward-thinking horse and are having trouble slowing down or stopping, immediately ride them on a circle. Bending your horse’s body in the shape of your circle will also help you regain softness and control.
If I’m riding a high-strung horse and am working on control, I will usually choose a roundpen or smaller arena for this reason.
Slow Down Your Body
A high-strung horse is often overly sensitive to you as the rider. When I teach riders on forward-thinking horses, I’m always encouraging them to “slow their body”. Horses do not like being off-rhythm with their rider. If you create a slower rhythm than what your horse is giving you, they are more likely to slow down to match you. Here are some tips:
1. When posting the trot, slow down your posting rhythm to encourage your horse to stay with slow with you.
2. When loping/cantering, sit deeper in the saddle and slow the rolling motion of your hips.
3. Keep your elbows in by your sides, and do your best not to flop your arms.
Work It Out
While riding, you might sense that your horse wants to run and run only, with no signs of slowing down. You can manage this energy in a few different ways.
1. Once warmed up, put your horse on a circle and lope/canter for a few minutes, changing direction every so often. As soon as you feel them calming down, return to the walk and let them catch their breath before proceeding with your intended workout.
2. If you are lacking the confidence to deal with a high-strung horse from their back, consider dismounting and lunging your horse instead. Lunging will allow a horse to safely dispose of their energy, and you can always mount again and continue your ride afterwards.
Don’t Get Emotional
High-strung horses are often quick to get emotional, and many are set off by the emotions of their riders. If you find yourself getting upset and tense in the saddle, take deep breaths, relax your body, and ensure that you are not being aggressive with your cues. You’d be surprised as to how much of your body language your horse can pick up on. A calm rider is more likely to create a calm horse.
If your horse is continuing to get worked up and you find yourself going down the same path, it is always acceptable to dismount and work your horse from the ground instead.
High-strung, energetic horses can be a lot of fun for confident riders. Though some horses will be forward-thinking for life, consistency and quiet riding can help them to slow down and respect your cues. If you are having trouble achieving this, it is always acceptable to ask a trainer for advice.