Can't stop my horse

chocolate

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Joined
16 August 2008
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Yesterday i did prelim 15 & I couldn't stop my mare cantering. Its not that she is strong. She is a very powerful moving mare and forward thinking. I find it hard to collect her up and keep her together. Its like the front end gets away and runs off! Sorry not very well explained!

I'm doing lots of stops and starts, going up and down the gears plus leg yielding, shoulder in and medium trot (her party piece!). Is there any thing else i can do??

HELP!
 
How about practising rein back, so rather than just stopping you actually train her to step backwards too? It should collect her up and give her something to think about
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I have always been taught to create only as much forward as you can bring back, so why not slow everything down in general and canter for shorter spurts until you feel in control.
Also, what kind of bit are you using and is it well-fitting? Sometimes horses respond better to one bit than another. I'm not suggesting a harsher bit, just a different one, as you don't ever want to discourage your mare's forward desire.
An example might be changing from an eggbutt snaffle to a loose ring snaffle, where she can't lean as much.
 
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