Any tips on making a stubborn/hyper horse stop when you want it to?

[Lacrymosa12]

I'm a beginner and the horse I'm learning on is very eager. He's usually used for jumping lessons so likes to move.

He's generally well behaved and very responsive (I only have to twitch my leg for him to walk on!) but my one problem is that I just cannot get him to stop. I'm learning in a group of two and because he's so fast and eager, we're often having to stop for the other learner to catch up. When I pull back on the reins, he'll slow right down but will try and continue to walk, almost as if he thinks I won't notice if he's subtle! I've pulled right back and sat back in the seat and we will stop but for no more than a second or so and then he'll start to walk again. Sometimes he simply will not stop at all and no amount of pulling will change his mind.

Any ideas? Instructor says I'm just not firm enough with him but if I pull any harder, I'll pull his head off!

When you close your fingers on the reins are you also sitting really deep into your saddle? You don't need to be leaning back either. The aids for halt aren't just "pull on the reins" as I'm sure your instructor has explained. Once he has stopped do you release the pressure? If you're just hanging on his mouth until it's time to move off again it could be making him agitated.

Hope someone better at explaining comes along.

Use your body to stop his quarters from coming forwards. A horse should halt underneath himself. It's good to sit down into your seat (easier to explain vocally) but pull your core muscles in and down into the saddle and try to block the movement. You should be able to slow a horse without pulling on it's mouth. The reins are a last resort.

Ride from your seat :) for everything :)

In terms if slowing the horse down, use half halts and in trot slow your rising (along with half halts).

It sounds like you have been over-horsed. If you are struggling to stop him then personally I would put you on a horse more suited to your ability. It is very hard to learn the correct aids if the horse you're riding is not listening, and if it is like this everytime you ride it will begin to dent your confidence.

I just don't agree with the instructor telling you you're not firm enough. You're a novice, you should be riding a schoolmaster. Apart from that, what everyone else has said about correct aids.

Totally agree with Callisto.

I would ask for a horse more suited to your ability. I remember learning to ride (Many years ago!) and having to work my way up the horses, we all got started on the old dobbin that plodded around like a dope on a rope and as we progressed we got moved onto different horses. Being moved up onto one of their stallions for a ride out was one of my proudest moments as a teenager but that came 6 years into riding with them and having ridden literally every other horse on a 30 horse yard!

It is so much safer to ride within your abilities.