Teaching Your Horse Speed Control

SPEED CONTROL
I firmly believe that no matter what discipline of horsemanship you enjoy, your horse needs to be exercised at all speeds. Training is muscle memory, and the horse needs to have the muscle memory at each speed to know how to respond in all situations.
Speed control is not only being able to slow down, but also being able to speed up. It is having control over the horse's gait at any time and in any place.
At a Walk
One exercise I like to do with my horses is controlling the walk, step by step. I teach them to walk just one single step at a time. I try to move the horse off mildly, and if she goes a bit fast, I'll back her up. Sometimes people have a tendency to hold a horse in a gait by restraining them with the reins. But I want my horse to control herself and restrain herself so I don't have to. During this exercise, when the horse is getting the idea of walking slowly, then let her walk out. Put some energy into it. When she does that well, slow it back down again. When you play this game of going back and forth, the horse really has to learn to be in tune with your seat to know what's coming.
At a Trot
Do the same exercise at a trot. Bring the horse up to a trot and really move out by putting a lot of energy into your seat. When your horse is moving out, make sure the nose is soft. Then relax your seat and see if the horse will offer to stop. If the horse doesn't quite slow down, ask for a backup. Repeat.
At a Lope
Bring your horse to a lope. Just like the trot, ask the horse to move out and soften that nose. Don't be afraid to really move out. Then bring the horse back down through your relaxed seat. If the horse slows down, allow her to walk through it. If not, pick up on the bridle reins and have her back up. It is important to note that most of the time when we don't have a great lope, it's because we aren't loping enough.
Anticipation
This exercise brings up the topic of ANTICIPATION. Anticipation is often seen as a negative thing in horse training, but I happen to think anticipation is your friend. Anticipation means the horse is seeing patterns and thinking about YOU and what you want from them.
Restraint
When I practice exercises in speed control, I am reminded of another word: RESTRAINT. Restraint is another way of saying self-control. It's you putting a lid on yourself. Lack of restraint creates a sort of head-shyness of the people and animals around us. Restraint sometimes just means letting go and saying "it's okay." It's separating yourself from the circumstances around you. Your ability to practice restraint has a tremendous impact on your horsemanship, your relationships, and your experience of life in general.
I hope these tips help you and your horse become more in tune with one another. Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken McNabb
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[@finngamesknudson1457]

This subject is exactly what I need. I’ve learned a lot from Ken’s videos but got little from this one. Lack of understanding is exactly why I have speed control issues and why I need instruction on this topic.

[@homeedconnect]

Ha! I love at 4:07 when she "bolted!" Great lessons in this video. This kind of work should really help my guy with his energetic transitions.

[@cathiwim]

Great lesson here! I love that you are posting in a western saddle! So much easier on their back!

[@EMWoodworking]

Great teaching. Yes restraint is something we all need to work.

[@briarspillane9782]

great reminder of the very slow walk exercise and rating the horse's speed. enjoying your videos thankyou Ken!!

[@rebeccamerder6689]

I am totally gonna do this.... love it

[@horsecrazy7655]

Love this challenging exercise! My trainer use to tell me find a dirt clod a few steps ahead of you and put your horses foot on it front front was easier hind foot much tougher but teaches control. And yes one of the fruits of the spirit is self control which we should be practicing all the time 😉 great video thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@HEROICRacingApparel]

she'll make a good reining horse..... Great video. enjoyed and got a lot out of this lesson.

[@hillbillylivestock4162]

Thank you!

[@Ohiogirl71]

Loved this! Perfect timing as I’m working on getting my leased horse to walk slower. Thanks!

[@MsEarthdweller]

Thank you appreciate definitely going to do this never thought of it like that but make a lot of sense.

[@antoinettenichilo2377]

Thank you for this great video 👍 will work on restraint you always project respect , love and leadership in your vidéos Amazing!!

[@lindsayCswain]

More explanation of the seat cues would be helpful :)

[@angeliquevandeutekom5203]

i agree, what to do when you speed up, or slow down, with your seat. th

[@melodyblanchard2017]

walk your seat bones up forward and in with energy. more energy for faster less for slower, than remind with your legs if your horse doesnt copy the energy. make sure your core is engaged

[@dorislangecker7943]

1 Step ot a time, i will train this sooo hard with my little speedy conzales boy ;) cause YEAH thats a real important point in working with a horse

[@FlameRobinBand]

wish i could give 100 likes! and i love your saddle!

[@bobbihill3258]

I need this speed control. Where do. I get more information

[@debbiesessel3000]

I’d love to know the cues for the single step walk.

[@angeliquevandeutekom5203]

Thanks for sharing. What do you do with your seat when you speed up or slow down? Could you explain this please.

[@clegg334]

If you could explain what your seat ,.legs and hands are doing would be helpful.

[@jerrywald6481]

So what exactly are you doing to get the ONE STEP....just your cheek muscles or ez on the upper leg or calf???? Just need to know what exactly your doing... thanks Jer

[@michellejansen6165]

My only problem with this video is the horse. At one time she may have had speed issues or forward issues but he’s done a great job with her and she’s done. Show us the one you’re starting with.

[@BLYFACTOR]

My horse hammers on his front end to that slow down and throw you slightly forward like your horse does. I Definitely need to iron that out.

[@lizarutherford2477]

Im so interested in what are you actually doing with your seat to move her forward? I cant see you raising yourself...Im mystified! What muscles are you engaging? TYIA 😊

[@WordsMusicHorses]

Sphincter?

[@everettwitt834]

But what are you doing to get them to take a step in first place ???

[@FlameRobinBand]

by the way, i am thinking of buying a horse so have been doing lots of research - i dont know much but i noticed your foot is half in the stirrups instead of just the tip. is there a reason why?

[@Kynzzie]

Not sure why his feet are that far back, but it’s dangerous for your feet to be that far back. The ball of your foot should be in the stirrup so that if you fall the horse won’t drag you.

[@emersontayten]

Is that an arabian? Great video!