Am I just not strong enough?

[BrightonBrass]

I've been back in the saddle for about 18 months and am enjoying a weekly hack at a great local stables. I was recently 'promoted' to a slightly sharper horse and I've loved riding him. Up until the other day, in high winds, when he unexpectedly 'tanked off' at the start of a canter and wouldn't pull up at my desired halt but just kept going.

He's known for being strong sometimes - not silly or dangerous - but I don't enjoy feeling out of control. I've worked hard on developing my seat and was pleased that I felt secure in that sense but he just laughed at my efforts to pull him up. And I really did try my hardest. Thing is, I am a lightweight (5 '8" and 8 stone soaking wet) and not not that strong.
Am I just not strong enough or is it more a question of anticipation, reflexes and technique?

Would welcome constructive thoughts...?

 

[Cutgrass]

They're always stronger than we are. Schooling and lots of transitions would usually help but it's difficult when it's an rs horse as you're not the only one schooling them. What did the person leading the hack say/do?

 

[mini_b]

Trying to “pull up” a strong horse will get you into a pulling match. It gives them leverage to lean on and tank off.

an RS horse knows every trick, anticipation can encourage a bog off moment.
Difficult to advise really. If he’s normally good, and it was windy he probably just was feeling a bit silly to be honest. If it’s not dangerous ie going to bolt through a fence or into the next county just let them go a bit then ride them down, keep them in canter but put them on a gradually smaller circle.
It feels counter intuitive but inside leg really ON!

 

[BrightonBrass]

"Are you alright?" LOL.

We did have a bit of a de-brief and concluded the weather was a big factor.

 

[Cutgrass]

To be fair if the rs was happy for him to go out in the wind then he must normally be pretty good. It's been really blowy here. Most on our yard didn't ride at the weekend because of the wind.

 

[Keith_Beef]

They're always stronger than we are.

Our instructors always tell us that there is no way we can win a strength contest against a horse.

I've been told three ways to deal with a horse that is going faster than I want and that refuses to show down with normal signals.

1. Turn the horse to the edge of the path, if there is some kinds of barrier.

2. Make the horse do a circle that you make smaller and smaller (as suggested by mini_b

3. Last resort: pull alternately left and right reins in a sawing motion.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

The one rein stop is quite effective!! Literally as it says, both hands on one rein a pull their head round.

 

[Ratface]

I've used the "one rein stop" technique on the old horse when he's decided that slowing down from fast is not happening. Fortunately, it worked well.

 

[Red-1]

It is technique more than strength.

I would put it down to part of learning, but if you were uncomfortable, talk to the instructor and ask what to do and how to avoid it happening again.

 

[Skib]

I dont think one can avoid it. If a horse decides to run, there is no way you are going to stop it immediately.
There is no avoiding it.
I had a crashing fall three weeks ago when my safe but well rested share horse was spooked by RS horses cantering towards us. The one rein stop (yes I tried) or alternate hands, can turn the horse which for me is a weak pont.
I doubt I would have fallen if I had let her go on straight. I am a dab hand at being run away with on the straight. But the choices one makes are not easy. If I had let her run on straight, I might have stayed on but I might have had to take a light seat to avoid being bumped off at a gallop.
I did think as she sped off with me that she was fatter, fitter, youger, fresher than any RS horse on which I have been run away with before. And I wish now I had done things differently (like wreck the grass verge) but then afterwards one always does.

 

[Cortez]

You're never going to be stronger than even the smallest horse, and pure heft isn't that much of an advantage (most jockeys weigh less than most of us). There are several techniques to regain control of a horse that is bogging off, and having the feel to stop it happening in the first place is part of learning to ride. It's been a long time since a horse has tried it with me, but a combination one rein stop and sticking it's head in a hedge worked for me.

 

[Birker2020]

I've been back in the saddle for about 18 months and am enjoying a weekly hack at a great local stables. I was recently 'promoted' to a slightly sharper horse and I've loved riding him. Up until the other day, in high winds, when he unexpectedly 'tanked off' at the start of a canter and wouldn't pull up at my desired halt but just kept going.

He's known for being strong sometimes - not silly or dangerous - but I don't enjoy feeling out of control. I've worked hard on developing my seat and was pleased that I felt secure in that sense but he just laughed at my efforts to pull him up. And I really did try my hardest. Thing is, I am a lightweight (5 '8" and 8 stone soaking wet) and not not that strong.
Am I just not strong enough or is it more a question of anticipation, reflexes and technique?

Would welcome constructive thoughts...?

You need to bridge your reins so the horse is pulling against itself and not your hands. And then sawing, one at a time is more effective that just pulling against a horse or trying to turn a circle. Having had one that bolted with me in a huge paddock and went round and round in circles in a flat out gallop I know how frightening it is.