Dealing with Excess Energy in a Horse

Have you ever had to deal with EXCESS ENERGY in a horse? Excess energy might look like jigging down the trail, refusing to stand still when tacking up or getting in the saddle, or constant nickering. While some behaviors might only be mildly annoying, if the horse is not taught how to manage his emotions and pay attention to YOU, he can become extremely unsafe in a hurry.
It is a mistake to try to hold onto a horse to contain his energy. He needs to learn to manage his emotions on his own without me having to constantly hold him back. With that being said, I prefer to put that excess energy to work instead.
Excess Energy On the Ground
If my horse refuses to stand still and is dancing around me on the ground, I'll direct his feet. I'll lunge him around and keep changing directions if necessary until the horse is focused on me.
Walking Off When Mounting
If my horse tries to move forward before I ask, I'll immediately back him up then let him sit - then repeat as necessary. This will eventually cause him to anticipate stillness prior to moving forward when I get in the saddle.
Running Through the Shoulders
One of my biggest pet peeves is when a horse bends but won't follow his nose. It's the result of way too much bending and not enough actual movement. When he is jigging or showing signs of distress, I have to start moving his feet - picking a direction and taking him there. When I pick up on the rein I want his body to follow his nose. If I ask nicely with the rein and he refuses, I'll lift that rein until he comes around. When he follows his nose, I'll release. Admittedly, it's a little ugly, but it's effective.
Things to Remember:
- Your arena exercises aren't just for the arena. Take those lessons and use them wherever you go.
- Set clear boundaries and stick to them ("my horse may not crowd my personal space," "my horse cannot dance all around me," etc.)
- Keep your horse focused on YOU.
- Remember that what happens on the ground happens when you're on his back.
- Change the way your horse thinks about standing still. Help him desire a rest period.
Remember that it is YOUR job as the leader to help teach your horse to manage his energy and his emotions. Help him to find where his release is, and reward him for his efforts. Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken McNabb

[@epona9166]

I absolutely love when trainers take a horse that has an actual problem and show how they handle it. Being shown, after the fact, what you DID to fix it just isn't helpful! Thank you so much for this. This is the second trainer I've watched recently (the other was Tim Anderson) that demonstrated the horse's body/shoulder not following his head. Something I didn't realize was A THING until recently. I'd just never seen it, or recognized it I guess I should say. Again, thanks for this great video.

[@mingram008]

Tim is another great source of information!

[@glorybound11]

I like the fact that Ken shows us ones with problems.

[@pamelasaba7885]

Today with my trainer, we had the exactly same situation. He wanted to go!. My trainer made him wait and moved his feet a lot!. He calmed down after that. I was able to ride him.

[@freeman.7238]

Shalom Sir from tiny Kibutz in Israel. Excellent content, thank you for sharing valuable lessons. Keep up the good work and make America great again.

[@seneynah]

Arabians never desire a rest… lol 😂 mountains and deep sand are my friends..My Arabian stallion would back up 90 miles per hour upon mounting when I first got him. Somebody tried the backing technique. I switched to circles if he needed to move. Dude just would not stand, so we just move forward all the time.. never wrecked or had a bad attitude just gotta go go go not stupid crazy hot just liked to keep movin I just respected that about him. He could stand tied, but until he was 28 years old if I was on him boy let’s go! Or air pawing and strange dressage moves would happen. He’s old now and tired, in the sunset of his life, but man I miss that spice! He was so flamboyant but not crazy he’d never blow up or dump you.

[@reneesouth6583]

this is my mare..thank you Ken! (chestnut as well..) wish i had tackled this when she was 3..! (she's 20) not too late..

[@economyrvandtrailerrepair9059]

If you move quietly you can ask for low energy. Move loudly you get more energy. Show your horse to match your energy. For me that's never failed.

[@kodycross9144]

Something I've noticed is sometimes people that are pretty confident in the round pen or the arena get scared out in the open. They wanna wait till they get home to fix stuff

[@Inca1122]

You make so much sense. Sold on your horsemanship. Please come to Florida!!

[@acetoneslove]

god I LOVE thing channel. You arent too soft or too harsh on the horse, right how I like it. I keep buying project horses and selling them but theyre all very different and im still learning how to train for a higher level horse. Thank you!

[@Horse55able]

I enjoyed this and will try this with him. I do need him to pay more attention to me. I dont feel much control when I ride him. Thank You!

[@AngieKaiser-e7o]

Really good video ! I love the trainer's voice, very pleasant ! He gives you confidence that you can train your own horse !

[@Starmystik]

Excellent videos! I am working with my first green horse and have taken many tips from these lessons. I have to say one thing that I completely disagree with is lunging a horse from a bit. I have always been taught that is a HUGE no-no. Obviously, Ken is a professional and knows how to handle his reins and hands, but a less experienced person might cause lots of mental and physical trauma and rip that horse's mouth apart trying the same thing. I would NEVER advise or encourage someone to try this.

[@kathewells1574]

Oh gosh! I have been searching for this answer. Can't wait to get out there and try it out. Thanks for the game plan.

[@outfitr9703]

Most of the ground work we did for over energetic horses were done by opening the corral and heading up our steep switchback trail. Usually didn't take all that long.

[@seneynah]

Love a mountain on a hot horse! Other horses literally die on hills! My Arabs are mountain goats and that mountain sucks the energy right out of them.

[@sherryyoung2974]

I have a great horse and like this one it's his emotions that need work. Thanks for the tips. God bless.

[@6970terry]

Love this video! I had a not so good ride yesterday, and so this morning I'm watching training videos on how to work with a hot horse and get them thinking. Just came across your video, first time I've found you on KZbin, and I think your technique is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for this video.

[@COMB0RICO]

Thanks from Texas.

[@mingram008]

Outstanding explanation! Looking forward to more!!!

[@KarenInCalif]

Great lesson. Thanks, Ken.

[@sketchalater4656]

Great exercise, if you know what you're doing. I say that, because there are going to be some dumbos who will take this the wrong way just run a horse to death, constantly whipping and putting pressure on the horse and make it go in circles round and round and round for hours. If done wrong, it can make the horse even more nervous and flighty, shut down, and worn out. Basic principle: If the horse is antsy and wants to run on his own volition, then let him. If he wants to canter, let him canter long enough till he realizes that he's going to tire himself out. Watch how much pressure you're putting on your horse. Basically make it their idea to want to slow down.

[@roberthillegas840]

Excellent vid

[@benitascott3533]

Cool! I enjoyed the vision & commentary! Useful approach, thankyou!

[@carolynstewart8465]

So helpful ! You explain lessons so well! Thank you !

[@michaelschulze6545]

One of your best videos. Thank you.

[@dianacsuram]

Hi Ken, I was fortunate to see your western dressage demo at road to the horse a few years ago. The music was “I can only imagine”. Can you upload that ride? I have always wanted to show it to friends and watch again - it was so beautiful. Thanks for what you do!

[@brentonkelly3780]

Thanks for sharing. Insightful training.

[@Georgie1660]

I’ve learned so much from Ken McNabb! Hope I can’t put it to practice when I have my own horse.

[@SematerySyren]

I’m 5’5 and rode a 22H Arabian every once in a while and I pulled every muscle in my body from trying to control him.. he belonged to a friend of a friend who couldn’t ride anymore so it wasn’t his fault he just didn’t get worked. Even though I had experience a few times he bolted I genuinely thought I was going to be killed either falling off or going over his head if he suddenly decided to obey and did a hard stop

[@Wnukle]

So good! Thank you!

[@vertfemme6215]

I just bought an 18 year old rodeo horse. We suspect he's a mix of Shetland Pony and Quarter Horse. He's only a little over 14 hands. Whenever I try to lope him, he goes so fast I can't even think. I mean that's great for barrel racing but for the most part I just want a slow, gentle lope. I like your suggestions, and I will try redirecting him when he starts to get too rambunctious.

[@goozmooshak]

Great Job

[@carolynstewart8465]

Such great information! Thank you Ken!

[@NOCOVET1]

I am old shaver now and I wish I had started learning horsemanship at an early age. It was available to me in Colorado but my parents weren't savvy :) I am 58 now and taking lessons in Loveland Colorado at a great facility. It is a six week class (Saturdays) for approximately 400.00. What recommendations do you have for learning, networking and staying in the saddle year round? I don't own a horse or have a facility to care for one, but I would like to partner with a person/group. Your advice in this area is appreciated as well. God Bless from Weld County!

[@stevomid]

Like him... Is he for sale😂😂. With all that energy what is he like on the trail with other horses. My TB is used on 3 day treks in NZ. Last one we had 65 horses. He is such a chilled TB and handles it well for a TB but just loves to jig jog a lot. Especially when that TB brain gets fried. So when the trek was 35 k for the day I think I did 50. There's Nothing mean in him .... I just get stuffed😀. I think he could run the whole way. Oh well he's the only one I've got with experience ( rest are younger) This the first video I've seen of yours. Won't be the last. Thanks

[@toddosei2192]

Awesome Training! I like your videos What if he rears up after trying soften his turn ignoring your cues and heading straight to the barn? Happened to me this morning smh. She bends but purposely won’t turn if she doesn’t feel like it

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

Probably need to get off and do some lunging at that point . Wish Ken would answer though 😅

[@artbyeliza8670]

My horse does the bending without turning - which is fine in an open paddock, but what if you are on a driveway with a gully each side and he isn't watching where he is going because he is bending one direction and moving towards the one he isn't looking at?

[@smc103100]

Thank you so much. I'm new to riding and this video was very helpful. I appreciate you explaining the steps and why you are doing what you are doing. Any beginner will appreciate this video.

[@1sacoyle]

My Haflinger gelding will on occasion bolt off on the lunge line and of course I often can not hold on. If I can be present enough to see when he is about to bolt I can stop him. When he does get away I encourage him to keep going and then I put him back on the lunge and proceed with what we were doing. Am I creating a president for him to continue this behavior? Funny thing is he will rarely canter on the lunge, but will race & buck when he gets free.

[@sarahbean6170]

I have a very healthy 25 year old standard bred we use as a trail horse from time to time. She is hot even at her age. Is she too old to do this with? Is that a dumb question? She’s a great horse and she looks much younger than her age. She wants to lope and trot the whole time🙄🫣

[@seneynah]

Let her! My stallion always wanted to jigs, so I just started letting him extended trot as much as he wanted. Thankfully, his trot was smooth as butter. We covered ground! I’ll take that over the jig…

[@Renegadehorsemanship]

I have abmare that’s come in, she is so sensitive and can barely handle the rope touching her, but she’s a fancy broke horse, she has all the fancy buttons. She’s been ridden for years. What is your opinion on how to help her get over being touched?

[@jeanfalck]

This looks painful for the horse

[@kaseytougas7522]

So how would you go about this with a horse that almost refuses to walk he just wants to go balls to the walls ?

[@mimirosenkrance2116]

Would that be the end of his lesson for the day? I live on a ranch and usually need to move cattle or something after giving a lesson. Would it be a very “bad” thing to, after lesson go move cattle ?

[@paulcrangle4722]

Good though loud demonstration. Poor horse.....not one reward or jesture of reasurance. Just a touch on the neck or change of tone in your voice would pay dividends. How fast would a child learn if it never gets praised for effort or good behaviour?🤔

[@mikeplessas4764]

Sir, that horse was constantly being "praised" or rewarded for the proper behavior. You have to remember, he is not Mr Ed-he doesnt speak nor understand the spoken word.....

[@paulcrangle4722]

Didn't hear a word of praise or softness in your voice throughout. Nor a touch of reasurance (reward). As for the condescending Mr Ed remark...how ignorant of the sentient being you are sat on.!! Of course they understand language...it comes in the form of decibels and vibration from our tone, and the acknowledgement via touch. Being kind gentle and soft with them... especially mares, is not a weakness....it's a true understanding of their sensitivity and respecting it.! IMO

[@margaretburckard6684]

Is he actually more barn sour than anything else?

[@jayshippy9798]

I had a horse just like that a while back they are a lot of work but maybe I just ain't any good

[@siannevautour8659]

How do you get them to move though ? I try to lunge my fat Morgan he just stands there, refusing to move. You can hit him with the rope, whip etc,. He is a statue.

[@seneynah]

It’s been said it’s much easier to work with a forward horse than a stubborn one and I one hundred percent agree you can always channel energy but it’s very difficult to create it 😂. I have a stubborn one and two forward ones and I’ll take the forward ones any day.

[@sannecop6155]

it is animal cruelty and I say, shame on you!!! I never treat my horses in that way, it is depressing the horse. There is no partnership and if I read the commends, I feel sad for all the poor horses.

[@cowgirlsdad]

This is the song that Mr. McNabb was referring to. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqqXnJV_arWbfK8

[@ronaldconsoliver1037]

Awesome!

[@johnjacobs4207]

Charles goodnight would love hm. Thats the kind of horse those old boys wanted to get up the trail a few hundred miles. His go is genetic. IF you let him sit overnight he will be right back to square one. The average rider today are used to horses that are dead. They are never going to be able to cope with that much energy. Trucks and 4 wheelers have ruined the genetics of all the modern horses and people today. People today think a horse susposed to stand still and not move or something of horibly wrong with it. Some real cowboy will see this horse and call you and want to buy him.

[@seneynah]

That’s why I like Arabians I always love a forward horse. I do believe it’s genetic My forward horses have never been mean or blow up or do anything crazy they just don’t like to stand still, and like to move out fast. Nothing wrong with that as long as they behave themselves otherwise. I prefer it if they stand still while I get on but once I’m on, they can get moving. These never run out of energy and can climb mountains all day long!

[@jeedarahmadjeedarahmad2762]

Ken i have a tent pegger horse and we almost practice tent pegging once a week so whenever i bring him on the track hes becomes anxious amd wants to gallop and his breathing rate becomes high. Can i apply these drills on my horse???

[@sunmountainfarms2260]

I have an "old dunny" horse.. he wants to go, go.. he's an emotional wreck😅.. thank you for this video

[@paulineellis2369]

Thank you got so much out of this.

[@mingram008]

Great info! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@Haley-w1i]

this is a good technique but used to agressively

[@LittleCountryCabin]

Yes!!! Love this!!

[@vaqueroontario]

Nice video Ken, very practical.