How to bring my QH mare to a halt.

Question

Actually, she can and she did.

Instead of halting, she turned a complete circle and went about her trotting.

She will not stop for anything unless a fence comes along, or someone grabs her reins.

Answer 1

First be sure that you are not the problem. Make sure that your legs and heels are not applying pressure to the horse's sides and that you are setting deep in the saddle and that you are setting straight up or leaning slightly backward when you apply gentle back pressure on the reins and "whoa" cue the horse. It usually only takes a little leaning back in the saddle with the stirrups pushed slightly outward and forward (putting on the brakes so to speak) to stop the horse with no rein pressure at all. But when the normal fails, the "emergency brake method" you said you tried, the one rein stop, is the next alternative but that will often fail as well if you are using a bit with leverage of any kind, such as the curb bit you said you are using. The pain that causes in a one rein stop can just excite the horse more and make the situation worse. I suggest you use a full cheek or a D ring snaffle until you get your brakes fixed. And when all else fails there is always the old tried and true method of retaining your alpha status with the horse by making him wish he did stop and running him full speed until he is exhausted and winded. I have had to resort to that tactic on occasions when challenged by a particularly stubborn horse. But I suggest you try to fix your brake problem by switching to a D ring or full cheek snaffle before resorting to the harsher "making him wish he did stop" method of regaining control.

Answer 2

i'm glad to hear that she will at least stop when a fence comes along! =] you can use that to your advantage. find a safe, sturdy, five-foot or higher wooden fence in an area where you can ride. start walking toward the fence from about 50 or so feet away. when you get about 10 feet away, say "WHOA" and start pulling on the reins. direct her into the fence, and dont stop pulling until she stops in front of the fence. when she stops, praise her like she just moved the earth for you. then turn her around, make a circle, and do it again. she'll start associating the word WHOA and the pressure backwards with stopping. do this as many times as it takes for her to calmly stop, and then start to ask her closer to the fence. after a few times, you'll be able to say WHOA right at the fence and she'll stop. then ask a little farther away (about 15 feet) and see if she'll stop a few feet in front of the fence. if she does, be done for the day. do this at the very end of your ride (or lunge her for about a half hour) so she's tired and actually WANTS to stop. it'll make it easier on you. once she stops a few feet from the fence, ask earlier still, and see if she's actually paying attention to you. once you feel pretty confident that she's got it at the walk, take a stroll randomly around an enclosed arena and ask in random places. if she stops, that means you're ready to do it at the trot. but make sure she is not confused in the least before you move up in speed. do the same method listed above, but at the trot. then once you are sure with not a doubt in your mind that she has it, then you can try at a canter. just take it very slow and be patient with her; she'll get it eventually. good luck! =]

Answer 3

First, try some ground work, just practice stopping, and if she doesn't, take the leadrope and pop it straight down and make her back up.

Once she's good with that, try using different things like a hakamore (sp?).

To stop:

1. Say WHOA

2. Pull back

3. Rest all your weight to your heels

4. Lean back

5. If she doesnt stop, grab the left/right rein about 1' to the bit and pull to your hip firmly until she stops. Don't be shy with pressure. The more you let her get away with it, the more she will learn it's okay not to listen.

Answer 4

The emergency brake method? WHere you pull her head around towards your leg until she stops? SHe cant ignore that?

Answer 5

ok! Well I've been through this before! What i would do is, join up with her, and be very VERY precise about when you stop, and if she doesn't completely listen to you, scare her off and start again. Once you have complete control of her on the ground, try riding her. When you want her to stop, stop ALL motion in your body, sit back, and pull and realease on her reins untill she stops. I hope this helps!