When I have one break gait, I always bring them to a complete "whoa" very firmly. Then start them right back up, and always using "easy" for awhile. Once they have made two complete circles in the correct gait, I whoa them give them a pat, let them stand then try again. I don't make them go for great lengths at a time when they are going correctly. Give them a reward pat (actually I think the whoaing is more reward to them then the pat) fairly quickly. I think that helps them connect what you are asking of them.
If they have broken gait, and get whoaed, there is no pat and no length of time for them to stand, just whoa, start again quickly.
Becky
That's a ~little~ different than me, in that if they'll come back to a trot within a stride or two, I let them and say "goooood trot". I do a complete woah if they get too out of hand, but like you, I don't use "woah" unless I want a full stop, I don't use it for any other 'slow down', I use, "eeeeeeeeesy". When they've gone around good a couple times I'll stop and approach and pet.
Slowing down her gallop into a nicer canter is a little more of a challege, light pulls, but not enough to pull her back down to a trot, and lots of soothing 'easy's? Is that what you'd do? Is it a mortal sin for her to gallop or is there some beneficial element to letting her wear herself out if she is at least going round without too much horseplay?
I think the trouble with her is that she was mostly round-penned, and I think the usual round pen strategy is 95% exercise, 5% obedience. If they run in the round pen, I think the Monty Roberts mehod is to run them harder until they really want to stop. I prefer lunging as 65% obedience 35% exercise. I want nice response to commands, and exercise is secondary.
Heh... I've got a good picture opp outside I think... I think I've got two mares in heat and a curious but naive gelding.
Cyn's really not resisting. I used to worry that he'd try this with the pony because he's too heavy. He'd sometimes look like he was getting 'light' in the front with pony in the past, but it never went this far. Should I just let all of them learn there's no point in trying? This is the first day of obvious heat, and this will come up again and again. Should I let nature take it's course here or play the chaperone? Right now they are just pacing around with short bursts of horseplay and quasi horse porn. The mares follow him relentlessly if he ignores them, and I think the pony might be the next one to jump Cyn if Bay gets tired ;~D