How do you work with a high energy horse? You know the type: they prance instead of walk, snort instead of breath and go from halt to canter instead of a nice mosey like you'd hoped for. Do you longe before riding, turn out and hope they burn off some energy, or what?

I think a great deal of patience is needed for the types you are talking about. I have never trained before but a friend of mine had a horse like you mention and it took her about a year longer to train than most of her others.

I normally free longe ihorse. We have a smaller round pen that is perfect and keeps us out of everyone else's way. I know other people who use a regular longe or even long reins but all the straps drive me nuts and I worry about getting caught.