Getting My Horse to go Faster?

Question

My horse won't go very fast and it is very unsafe. I do the jumpers and he needs to go fast. He was originally a western pleasure (rescue) horse and the owner (who owns 4 other horses) trained him to be a jumper who was actually very successful with her son. but he goes so slow that he doesn't make it over the jumps sometimes. it is getting unsafe if he goes so slow. i have tries using a croup and all ways use spurs but he just won't go. i have been riding him for about a year know and have done eventing, jumping, and 4-H but am getting up to 3' and he is a pony and he needs speed. PLZ help

Answer 1

firstly you don't need speed for jumping,IMPULSION. Do more flat work to build this up, jumping is essentially flat work until the horse takes off.

"when we get out of rings and gallop in the field he is fast and enjoys it."

I think you've answered your own question there.

The only horses i've ever met that loose impulsion or drop back in pace around the jumping ring (that aren't in pain) are either not confident jumper (which doesn't seem to be the case) or they aren't enjoying it anymore. Any horse that is enjoying jumping will normally have the opposite reaction! If you are 100% sure there is no physical issue i'd look at trying to stimulate him more, lots of rewarding when he does what you want.

Answer 2

Why don't you call the lady from whom you got this pony from and find out how her son was able to be so successful with him jumping?  If she can't tell you or show you, then she was lying and you need to quit asking this pony to do something that he can't do.  Usually, a horse that has ever jumped, will not slow down, you will have to slow them down somewhat to keep them from rushing the jumps.  Either he NEVER did jump or he is getting too old to do so, or...you say he is a pony, how old/large are you as compared to this lady's son who rode him before.  Maybe he is not the right size for you to use to jump and you need to look for another one.  

Answer 3

Is he over weight? Otherwise start lunging him. Get him right up to scratch on voice commands. Most people don't actually 'tell' their horses to extend trot or canter but i do. On the lunge tell him walk on, trot on, canter on and also my fave 'gee on' which i use as faster! Every owner has their own words and commands. If you can get him to go faster on lunge then get someone to lunge him while your on board. Then progress to you riding him around arena while using voice commands. Check your bit. If its a harsh bit then change it to a soft one. Theres no need for a harsh one when hes slow. Get your instructor or very experienced rider to hop on and get him moving. Sometimes he'll cop that your not taking any laziness if your good and strong. Also give him a good long warm up, but dont wear him out. Wake him up with changes of rein, figures of 8 etc.

Answer 4

If he was a pleasure horse, he was never taught the idea of speed. He was always taught slow and low. And that's something you can't really teach a horse. If you want to jump at a higher level, that isn't the horse for you. You are going to need a horse or pony that has the speed and ability to go to the level you are at and above.

Answer 5

Ask an instructor if you are using your crop and spurs to maximize their effectiveness. Work on transitions(walk-trot, trot-canter) to make your horse more responsive. Try feeding him a higher energy food to give him some pep. Finally if nothing works ask your vet to see if he is having any pain by going fast. Lastly if it isn't working out sell your horse to a beginner who would enjoy a slow poke

Answer 6

If he is having trouble making it over the jumps, you are right to recognize there is danger there and you may have to consider your horse's future in jumpers as a whole - if it is becoming unsafe for the two of you perhaps he is just getting too old or worn out to do the jumpers and wants another job. It's hard to do sometimes due to human tendencies but the most important thing is the horse's saftey, and sometimes the only thing that can be done is to avoid the situation altogether. If your horse is slow I am assuming you don't place very well at shows anyways, so you may want to look into purchasing another horse that is a bit better suited for jumpers, and find out what your horse REALLY wants to do by trying a variety of riding types on him until he seems to fit in.

Answer 7

"He was originally western pleasure..." "Nuff said.

Some horses are not suited for the transition from western to english.

Some "riders" need additional training.  Oh, sorry, it's Always the horse's fault.

Answer 8

a horse will only go as fast as it possibly can go ESPECIALLY if hes an older horse or mabye has artheritis or leg problems  he wont go very fast and a pleasure horse dosent have to go fast.... so its probably not used to being fast... a horse will only go as fast as its body will allow, if you need faster buy an arabian.