slow canter

Question
i have a regisstered quarter horse mare, she is 8 years old, a bay with black socks. I train her in western pleasure. she is real good at everything, except her canter. next spring/summer i am going to show her in western pleasure and halter and maybe showmanship. She raises her head and canters fast, sometimes she will lower her head and do as i ask ( slow perfect lope) but then  she jumps right up again. Can u explain how to get her to slow down and stay slow?  

Answer
Hello,

Several horses have problems with speeding up at the canter.  A common trick which is used to encourage them to slow down and relax is to use both reins, widen your hands and keep them low (almost at wither level).  Your hands should  be fairly wide.  Make sure you are sitting deeply in the saddle and are well relaxed.  Mares especially tend to sense tension in the rider, and tension in you will relate to her causing her to lift her head, stiffen her back and quicken her pace.  Also working in small circles encourages her to strengthen her balance and that could be part of the reason she is speeding up as well.  Good luck and I best wishes for showing your horse.  Enjoy.