Arab with a ton of energy

Q:

Dear Alice,

I have a 6 year old gelding with a ton of energy! He is part Arabian and mostly Quarter Horse, and has an urge to hit the road. I know he isn't frightened, uncomfortable, ect, he simply sees working with me as an exciting opportunity and he wants to go for a long jog. I am wary of mounting him when he is overflowing with the desire to GO! I lunge him, but we can go in circles until he's coated in lather and it's barely taken the edge off. I was in 4-H with him, and all my leaders said he's the type of horse who would spend all day trotting across the desert without tiring. I haven't had time to work with him much since college started. Are there some exercises I can do with him so I can feel more comfortable initially?  How do cross-country racers handle their part-Arabians?

~ Nicole

A:

Dear Nicole,  Thanks for your question regarding your 'Ready to GO!' arab/QH gelding.  First look at the bright side...good that he has the desire to go, as dealing with the opposite is a much more difficult task!  What we need to do is create an incentive in him so that is GO equals is WHOA, and the desire to be with you at whatever speed and gait (or stop) you choose.  Spending time together is so important, and with your added lack of time due to college, we need to figure out ways to occupy his mind and feet to create the desired outcome.  Here's what you might try...

Regarding lunging: Sending him around in mindless circles just to ware him out just doesn't work on Arabs!  So in your lunge work, watch for correct balance, that his eyes and ears are on you, and ask for frequent change of gaits and speed within the gaits.  Review some of my articles on the use of the round pen and the sideways on the circle (No-Smoking Sign) exercises.  There is some good video the the No-Smoking exercise on my web albums page.

Other Ground Work: Try doing some work-in-hand exercise.  (Also found in various articles on the website.)  These will require him to put his mind and body to work in developing self-carriage and WITH YOU, rather than racing off.

Riding: I'd think about developing a definite lesson plan for him every time you ride.  Put his mind to work, by working the feet, so that he is asking..."Are we working on lateral movements today or straight or cowboy moves or dressage???"  Again, there is a good series of suggested lesson plans on the website.

So, the simple answer may be in you becoming creative to give him various jobs to do!  Good luck, and let me know how things go.

Sincerely,
Alice Trindle


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