Horse Rushing or Speeding Up | Causes, Tension Signs, and Rider Fixes

Horse Rushing or Speeding Up | Causes, Tension Signs, and Rider Fixes
Tempo And Tension

Horse Rushing Or Speeding Up Under Saddle

A rushing horse can turn a ride from fun to stressful in a heartbeat. It is easy to feel out of control and to wonder if your horse is just ignoring you. The truth is that most horses who rush are trying to cope with tension, discomfort, or imbalance. They speed up because it feels safer than slowing down. This guide helps you understand why and gives you a clear, realistic plan for helping your horse find a calmer gear.

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For riders who want a horse that is with them, not running past them.
What You Are Feeling

Rushing Is A Symptom, Not A Character Flaw

Horses rush when they feel a mismatch between their balance and the job you are asking for. A tight back, a heavy front end, or a worried brain makes a slow tempo feel risky. Speed becomes the coping strategy.

  • Back, shoulder, or hind end tension that makes slow, controlled strides uncomfortable.
  • Weakness in the core or topline that makes collected work feel like too much.
  • Anticipation of jumps, barrels, or transitions that creates mental rush before you even ask.
  • Rider habits like constant kicking, hanging on the reins, or inconsistent tempo.
Rushing is your horse telling you that the current speed and balance do not feel comfortable. Listening is the first step toward changing it.
Why It Happens

Body Tension, Balance, And The Busy Brain

Rushing rarely comes from a single cause. Often, your horse is dealing with a mix of physical and mental pressure.

  • Body: tight back, sore hindquarters, or weak core that make slow, sitting work uncomfortable.
  • Balance: long, low frames or downhill balance that make quick strides feel safer than slow, uphill ones.
  • Brain: past experiences, inconsistent riding, or spooky environments that keep your horse in a hurry, just in case.

Trying to fix rushing with stronger bits or more driving aids usually makes the pattern worse. The answer starts with comfort, clarity, and rhythm.

Real Rider Routine

A Three Step Plan To Help A Rushing Horse

Use this plan as a framework. Adjust the time and difficulty to your horse’s age, fitness, and veterinary recommendations.

Step 1

Establish A Quiet Walk First

Spend more time at the walk than you think you need. Aim for a marching but not hurried rhythm. Use figures, serpentines, and circles to keep the brain engaged without driving the body forward.

Step 2

Layer In Short, Frequent Transitions

Ride many transitions between walk and halt, walk and trot, and trot and walk. Focus on smoothness and breathing, not power. Reward the moments when your horse stays in the tempo you choose.

Step 3

Support The Muscles That Carry The Tempo

Use comfort strategies for the back, shoulders, and hindquarters before and after work. Horses that feel better in their bodies find it easier to maintain a steady pace.

Relates to your horse. When the body does not hurt, it is much easier for the mind to slow down and listen.
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Where Our Products Fit

How Riders Use Draw It Out® With Rushing Or Tense Horses

Draw It Out® products are not a replacement for training or veterinary care. They help you support the muscles and soft tissue that carry your horse so balanced, steady work feels more possible.

  • Draw It Out® 16 ounce Gel applied along the back, loin, and girth area before and after rides to promote comfort in key tension zones.
  • Draw It Out® Concentrate used as a spray over major muscle groups after work to support recovery, especially during conditioning phases.
  • CryoSpray Cooling Body Brace on specific areas after intense sessions when a cooling effect is appropriate and approved by your veterinarian.
  • MasterMudd™ EquiBrace for targeted soft tissue support in areas identified by your vet or body worker as needing extra attention.

Ask your veterinarian where a comfort routine fits into your horse’s overall program so you can combine body support with smart training and good farrier work.

Horse Rushing Or Speeding Up — FAQ

Why does my horse keep speeding up on their own

Many horses speed up when they feel tense, unbalanced, or uncomfortable. Rushing is often a way to cope with how their body feels or with worry about what is coming next.

Is my horse just being strong or naughty

While some horses do test their riders, most rushing has a physical or emotional root. Before assuming misbehavior, check for soreness, hoof balance issues, saddle fit, and confusion in your cues.

Can a stronger bit fix rushing

Stronger bits may suppress the behavior for a while, but they do not address the underlying cause. Relying on more hardware often increases tension and makes the root problem worse over time.

When should I stop riding a horse that trips and rushes

Stop riding and call your veterinarian if your horse is stumbling badly, nearly falling, or showing sudden, severe changes in behavior or balance. Safety comes first.

How does Draw It Out® help a horse that rushes

Draw It Out® products help support muscle and soft tissue comfort in the back, shoulders, and hindquarters. When your horse feels physically better, it is easier to maintain a slow, balanced tempo while you work on training and confidence.

This guide is for education only and is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, or treatment by a veterinarian or qualified professional. If your horse’s rushing or tripping is frequent, sudden, or severe, contact your vet.