Nateracer - 2017-01-05 12:27 PM I would try breezing the horses first before you run instead of spending $600+ for 30 days.  Not sure what that would do to make a difference.  

Tdove - 2017-01-05 12:58 PM

You can't make a horse fast. They either are or they aren't. They either try or they don't. You can encourage effort and but you can't ever force it. Especially on a younger or greener horse. That is a recipe for blowing one up. In any discipline, speed always comes last.

veintiocho - 2017-01-05 1:10 PM Very true! They also need to know how to run while packing a person around. Along with breezing, I like to lope large circles and ask for all out, then back to a lope, all out, back to lope. Controlled speed :) I really like to rope off them too which teaches acceleration and rate. I think once he gets the hang of it he'll find his speed, you just have to help him along.

Tbred - 2017-01-05 2:08 PM


Maybe I should clarify that the mare can run, she just isn't running as fast as she can because I didn't train her to run as fast as she can between the barrels.  She is loafing because I thought I was pushing her, but I really wasn't.  So now I'm working on breaking that habit, of her not going all out between the barrels.  I had a hard time going from "training" mode to "open" mode.  Is she a 1D horse? No probably not, because like you said, you can't MAKE a horse fast, they are or their not.  But everyone around me knows she's not running to her full potential.

My issue is, I don't want to make the same mistake twice and have a super nice colt not run at his full potential either.  I didn't do the transition to add speed right the 1st time with the mare.  It's obvious he's going to be faster than she is, you can see it when he's out in the pasture running.

veintiocho - 2017-01-05 1:35 PM


I did the same thing with a gelding I had that could get really hot. I babied him and then he was just loafing through the pattern, turning hard, but running was ½ assed. Ed Wright pointed that out to me and told me to stop babying him! His exercise was to give the cue to RUN, and if no response over and under once to get him in high gear. They can go anywhere, just as long as it’s FAST. I think I only had to show the whip to this horse once and he got it. I still remember flying down the arena hearing Ed’s voice “it’s a Raaaaace!!”

Anyway, I’ve modified my training so I don’t baby the horse (as much, still guilty) to where they understand that it’s a race, but if I get a horse that doesn’t understand GO FAST I’ll use Ed’s technique.

I forgot to add, you do this exercise to get your horse acting like a Ferrari – barely touch the pedal and you’re at 90mph.

He said my horse was acting like an old beater pickup..it’d get up to speed when it felt like it.

veintiocho - 2017-01-05 2:35 PM I did the same thing with a gelding I had that could get really hot. I babied him and then he was just loafing through the pattern, turning hard, but running was ½ assed. Ed Wright pointed that out to me and told me to stop babying him! His exercise was to give the cue to RUN, and if no response over and under once to get him in high gear. They can go anywhere, just as long as it’s FAST. I think I only had to show the whip to this horse once and he got it. I still remember flying down the arena hearing Ed’s voice “it’s a Raaaaace!!” Anyway, I’ve modified my training so I don’t baby the horse (as much, still guilty) to where they understand that it’s a race, but if I get a horse that doesn’t understand GO FAST I’ll use Ed’s technique. I forgot to add, you do this exercise to get your horse acting like a Ferrari – barely touch the pedal and you’re at 90mph. He said my horse was acting like an old beater pickup..it’d get up to speed when it felt like it.