How to slow down!

[solomon]

Got out today with one of our lovely livery mates. She has a 12.2 Welsh sectionB called Florrie. Little Florrie gamely keeps up with Pete's long stride.
Had a moment where she wouldn't stop when Pete had so we had a long chat about brakes.
I hadn't realised how many different ways I say slow down to Pete.
Method one, pressure release on the reins, also saying woohoo. Method two, slight pressure on neck strap. When going faster, weight back in the saddle and one rein on neck pull release on one rein. Rein bridge also got a mention as did deep seat followed by thinking slow and tensing stomach muscles. Loads of ways!

[scattymare]

With Ed the most effective way to slow her trot is to slow my rising right down and make myself quite heavy so she really feels 'my pace' It's quite unbalancing and is where a neck strap comes in handy! My instructor taught me this and it really works well

[fimacg]

yep slowing your rising is a really good way in trot to slow the pace but hard to do, another way is quite dramatic initially canter to halt by leaning back and taking a pull on the reins after a couple of times doing this just shifting your weight back should be enough to slow the pace but with all things has to be over exagerated to start with until they understand that weight going back means slow down