Help!Canter keeps turning into a gallop!!

[Madmum]

We’ve been teaching our daughter (7) to canter but the last two weeks her pony suddenly gallops without any warning and she’s got hurt both times. No reason for the sudden gallop, nothing spooking her etc. My daughter isn’t strong enough to stop her when she does it, any advice? However I was impressed with how long she did stay on even during a buck and bolt!! I’m worried it’s going to put her off riding or worse she gets seriously hurt. We also lunged the pony before canter by the way and usually the pony is really good, her previous owner was more experienced and older but until now she’s been fantastic with her.

 

[Iznurgle]

Where is your daughter riding, in an arena or in a field/out hacking? Are you or someone at the yard the pony is kept at able to ride the pony and figure out what's happening? Some schooling by an experienced rider may help, as well as a tack check, in case cantering is hurting enough that she's bolting off.

 

[Madmum]

Where is your daughter riding, in an arena or in a field/out hacking? Are you or someone at the yard the pony is kept at able to ride the pony and figure out what's happening? Some schooling by an experienced rider may help, as well as a tack check, in case cantering is hurting enough that she's bolting off.

Hi, she’s doing her lessons in a sand school and today we tried just in the grass paddock area outside the stables. There is an older girl riding her 3x a week to keep her fit and she’s had no problems, but she’s a lot older so if she pulls the reins the pony knows about it. I will definitely do a tack check thank you I didn’t think of that. Xx

 

[JackFrost]

If your daughter is still learning to canter, she is quite novice, and a pony that runs off, bucks and bolts is not for children at her stage. Sounds like really the pony is suited to an experienced rider. Lots of ponies are pretty easy when it's slow and quiet but more of a handful when you go up a gear. If your daughter hasn't yet developed a secure seat in canter, you are right that this is a risky situation. I would suggest finding an experienced person to evaluate whether this pony is right for your daughter.
Agree with looking at tack, teeth etc, but once ponies have learnt to run off with little riders, it's a hard habit to break.

ETA If it's on spring grass, restrict its access, and consider reducing any feed. We are going into bouncy time of year for ponies.

 

[Madmum]

she’s been jumping her etc and has been fine, we have been working on cantering to gain better control as she is a lot faster than our other pony. My daughter now has a good seat and in trot has full control, it’s just the second time round in canter is an issue as she just puts her head down and bolts (my daughter then can’t grab the reins and hasn’t got the strength yet to pull her up) her trainer said she’s taking the mick because she knows she can get away with it.. I’m just not sure why this has started now. I don’t want to give up on the pony just yet but at the same time if she’s not a good fit then I won’t put my daughter in that position. I am friends with her previous owner so I may ask if the older girl will try and see if she does it with her. It’s not all plain sailing unfortunately ? xx

 

[TheMule]

Thins to try- daughter cantering the pony on the lunge initially. This will help her to regain her confidence as the instructor can control the pace as she learns to sit the pony's canter
Grass reins- these will stop the pony being able to get it's head down and pull the reins out of her hands in canter which is what it sounds like is happening

 

[Madmum]

Thank you, I will try that. I do have some grass reins, she’s not keen on them but if it helps it’s worth a try. Xx

 

[JackFrost]

I;m inclined to agree with your trainer! Probably happening now because you are doing faster work = more fun!! And pony is learning it can do what it wants.

Possibility - Does this pony struggle in canter, so might there be a balance issue for the pony? Get trainer to lunge pony unridden in canter, watch its way of going to see if it is unbalanced / stiff even without a rider.

Grass reins - yes. Or daisy rein, martingale, but will only restrict the behaviour to an extent, not solve underlying problem.
Your comment about getting the older girl to ride to see if pony does it - I'm not sure where this gets you. Pony may well go properly for a better or bigger rider, or just do it some days and not others, but if you are seeing a pattern of behaviour when your daughter rides, I would question continuing with this pony, which is probably just very forward.

 

[HeyMich]

Yes, agree with the above.

Canter on the lunge until she can confidently go into and out of canter with minimal pulling/flapping. Then, short bursts of cater, up a hill and away from the house/yard, so the pony has less incentive to bomb off. Literally 10 strides and back into trot. Build up slowly, and if cantering on hacks, always make sure the pony is behind another sensible horse/pony.

It can be done - I've just been through it with my daughter too. My son was so confident on the pony that bombing around was normal, and the we had to re-teach pony to be calm and sensible for younger daughter. I still only let them canter away from the house now!

 

[Madmum]

I;m inclined to agree with your trainer! Probably happening now because you are doing faster work = more fun!! And pony is learning it can do what it wants.

Possibility - Does this pony struggle in canter, so might there be a balance issue for the pony? Get trainer to lunge pony unridden in canter, watch its way of going to see if it is unbalanced / stiff even without a rider.

Grass reins - yes. Or daisy rein, martingale, but will only restrict the behaviour to an extent, not solve underlying problem.
Your comment about getting the older girl to ride to see if pony does it - I'm not sure where this gets you. Pony may well go properly for a better or bigger rider, or just do it some days and not others, but if you are seeing a pattern of behaviour when your daughter rides, I would question continuing with this pony, which is probably just very forward.

No her canter is very smooth, she is just a lot more forward than our other pony. It’s difficult because my daughter is in between stages.. our other pony she can’t really do much more with but this new pony is more advanced. She was showjumping before we got her. I meant as a one off, just to watch and see how she is with her, to see if we are doing anything differently. Thanks for your feedback xx

 

[Madmum]

Yes, agree with the above.

Canter on the lunge until she can confidently go into and out of canter with minimal pulling/flapping. Then, short bursts of cater, up a hill and away from the house/yard, so the pony has less incentive to bomb off. Literally 10 strides and back into trot. Build up slowly, and if cantering on hacks, always make sure the pony is behind another sensible horse/pony.

It can be done - I've just been through it with my daughter too. My son was so confident on the pony that bombing around was normal, and the we had to re-teach pony to be calm and sensible for younger daughter. I still only let them canter away from the house now!

Thank you that gives me some hope that it can be done. Unfortunately we don’t have any hills near us but we will stick to the sand school and see how she gets on, on a lunge. If it continues then we will have to admit this isn’t a good fit. It’s a shame though because they have been doing so well together til now. Xx

 

[Madmum]

Just an update after a long think and talk we’ve decided not to continue with this particular pony, it’s not worth the risk and it’s no longer fun for her. She can go back to cantering on her first pony again when she’s ready, this has been quite a knock to her confidence but I give her credit she’s got back on every time and tried again, she’s just not strong enough yet to control a more powerful forward pony. We’re all upset but it’s the right thing to do.

 

[HeyMich]

Thanks for the update and well done in making a tough decision. I'm sure the pony will go on to another wonderful home, and your daughter will get her confidence back on her old pony. Win win!