Episode 42: Training HOT Horses

“Hot horses are naturally high energy horses.” Stacy Westfall
Hot horses are those high energy horses who want to run fast and don’t always do what you want. In this episode, I go back to my teeter totter example to explain the spectrum of hot horses. Picture a +10 on one side and a -10 on the other. A hot horse will run the spectrum on the plus side. I also talk about the difference between a hot horse with high energy and a horse that could be nervous or confused because of lack of training.

I explore the pros and cons of hot horses and how they can be better trained. The horse’s body is a reflection of their mind, and I answer a couple of listener questions about hot horses and give some examples that might be helpful. In today’s On Call with Dr. Monty we talk about the number one killer of horses, and Dr. Monty shares a wonderful program that can help save horses and give owners peace of mind.

“Hot isn't good or bad, but it's definitely more useful in certain situations and less useful in other situations.” Stacy Westfall

Show Notes:

[05:04] My horse Popcorn is more of a natural +7. He puts his head down in the pasture and runs as hard and fast as he can. At his core, he is a very hot horse.

[06:55] Pros of hot horses include them being athletic and easy to motivate. They are also very sensitive. They tend to think quick. They are quick on their feet and mentally in thinking.

[07:47] Cons include thinking quick, being sensitive, being athletic, and trying too hard. All of the things that are the pros are also the cons with hot horses.

[08:09] Hot isn’t good or bad, but it’s definitely more useful in certain situations and less useful in other situations.

[09:01] It’s okay to recognize certain traits. If you just want a horse to walk down the trail, you probably don’t want a hot horse.

[09:34] Be aware of the patterns that you use when you ride. These include the physical pattern that you ride in and the habits you have while you ride.



[10:01] Add groundwork, because it’s a great place to teach emotional control. This teaches the horse how to behave correctly under pressure, and it helps convince you that the horse will behave correctly.

[11:02] Hot horses often get rewarded for being hot.

[16:06] A listener question about a horse that needs to let go and relax.

[17:47] The horse gets faster on a loose rein. This might mean that he is a little bit lost. If the horse is lost, use more encouragement to give him guidance. He needs a hug.

[19:01] The percentage of groundwork isn’t as important as the quality of the groundwork and what you are releasing on.

[20:43] You could be working on some thoughts that the horse thinks are a good idea, but they’re not.

[21:50] I have a test to make sure horses understand the difference between whip and stand still that I use before I mount up.

[22:42] It all boils down to where he finds release.

[23:16] A listener question about a 16 year old gelding who doesn’t want to walk after a canter or trot.



[24:47] There are signs on both sides of the teeter totter. This is a good sign that your horse is closer to zero. He is going back and forth between the two sides.

[26:07] When he goes up, he may not know how to go down. This could be a training issue.

[26:45] You need to use your legs more with a hot horse.

[27:10] Avoid spicy exercises with a hot horse. Add more base or boring stuff. Repetitive exercises can slow a horses mind down.

[29:11] Make sure downward transitions are like a hug. Close all of your aids or hands and legs. Applying pressure doesn’t always mean move. Applying pressure to slow down is great to do in groundwork.

[32:22] These horses also contract their strides. Working on turns like the four leaf clover pattern can help.

[34:27] Keep thinking hug, soften, release.

[34:40] It matters where you release these horses.

[36:57] Use less leg on a cold horse and more leg on a hot horse.

[38:21] With hot horses you have a lot of forward motion to work with, and they are asking for the training.