“Hi, I have begun to ride a friend’s horse, a lovely big Clydesdale cross.  She has a lovely temperament and is very docile apart from when she canters on a hack.  She does approximately two strides of nice loopy canter then goes up a gear and it’s way too fast for me and I have to pull her up.  Sometimes she listens to a half halt but only for a few seconds before she is speeding up again, and to stop her I have to half halt about five or six times before she will come back to trot.   She wears a Pelham with a curb chain but with a bit converter and a single rein.

I believe she has a history of hunting with a previous owner (the present owner has had her for seven years) and so has probably always been encouraged to canter fast but this is too fast for me.    I just want a nice steady canter and when we have that under control then I will be more confident in going a bit faster.

I plan to start having lessons on her in the school but any advice would be very welcome.

Tina.”

H&C’s expert  Jenny Rudall replies: “Hi Tina, controlling the canter on a hack is not always a matter of strength and many people have problems as some horses love the excuse to have some fun.

You are correct in using the half halt in steadying the canter, but I would try and use it straight away before she gets fast as once she has got the speed up it’s harder to bring her back.  You will need to continually use the half halt pre-empting her increase of speed and this would have to continue for the duration of the canter I’m afraid. You can also try using other schooling exercises like flexion in the canter to help control her.  Hopefully you can learn some other techniques in your lessons and also by having lessons you will build up a better report with your horse getting her to have more respect for you. 

In your lessons, get your instructor to show how to play around with seat as by cantering in a light seat you then have the option of using your weight to help slow the canter.  Lessons in the school are also a time you could, with advice, play around with the bit.  By schooling in a slightly milder bit if possible you then can save the Pelham for the hacking, causing her to have more respect for it.  Another option is hacking after a lesson, this way she will have slightly less energy and be more inclined to listen.

Good luck, Jenny.”