Correcting banana-ing

Irishcobs

Irishcobs

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Gyp used to have this thing where he would panic and try to run home, lots of things could cause this. Nothing you did could stop him, half halts etc would make him worse, he would coil up even more. Putting him in to shoulder in worked in slowing him down but not stopping him. That was until he learnt he can still trot fast in shoulder in.
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He has chilled a lot recently and it is very rare that we get these panic attacks but he does occasional speed up too much. When he does this he anticipates me putting him in shoulder in so he bananas, always to the left (though I used to vary which way I put him in shoulder in). He is very sensitive to the leg and even more so when he is speeding, so I have to very gently put my right leg back a bit and on to push his body over to match his head. I don't want to pull his head to the right as he will get start to argue with me. We are gradually getting straighter but is there an easier way to stop him banana-ing in the first place?
 
does he do it in response to or anticipation of rein pressure? if so, i think i'd shorten my reins and then take light tugs and releases, repeated, keeping both rein contacts even. just a totally different tactic, encouraging straightness... hopefully worth a try. i'd keep both legs on lightly, and try to let him straighten himself, if he does start banana-ing... it's got to be harder work than going straight, and most horses choose the easier option, once they see it.
best of luck!
 
Interesting not thought of that.
He does it in anticipation of me asking him to shoulder in. I don't actually move my hands at all.
 
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