How can i stop my strong pony??

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annieapplecake

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I just recently got a 14.2 Haflinger mare who is perfect and adorable in every way - she hasn't a mean bone in her body! But she is very strong and I can't seem to slow her down - I am constantly being towed around by her, she is especially bad with other horses but even when she is on her own she is still strong - i keep her on full livery so the lady who rides her for me in the week says she has no problem stopping her at all and her old owners said she was a doddle to stop too so it's not her bit and i don't want to change it!!!!!
She carries on pulling me around and tanking off at a fast pace! HELP HOW CAN I STOP HER!!!! ::confused:
 
it sounds like maybe some lessons would help. You say she tanks off and ignores you. How much schooling has she had? What aids are the other riders using to stop her with.Also just out of interest are they alot bigger than you?
 
Well, first thing is to ask them because it obviously IS possible :-)

Then get some lessons.

As you're new to this horse it is quite possible you're feeling her being faster/stronger than she is too. Try just riding the faster pace in a safe area and you may find it isn't so fast after all.
 
I have the same problem with one of the horses I ride. She is quite sensitive so I don't really want to yank her about, but sometimes I actually have to stand up and lean back to get her to listen!! My instructor just tells me to bring my elbows back, but it doesn't really work, so I'll be interested at the replies :)
 
I have a 13.3 Haflinger that is also very strong & is known to bolt, but I have changed his bit & it is like riding a different pony now. I can actually canter him anywhere & now stop with the slightest bit of contact.
 
I would ensure you get to watch her other rider and look out for how she is with her. You may be riding her too short as you are nervous of her tanking off, she may ride in a more relaxed manner. If she is sensitive to being ridden short, and many are, she will get increasingly forward and begin to lean on you for example. Some ponies increase pace when anticipation of something exciting is encouraged, again you riding with short reins could be doing this. Her old owner knew her really well so again not giving off any signals of anxiety which could be feeding this.

I think you could do with some help being relaxed around her but what it sounds like you have is not a career 'tanker' just one that you need to be able to learn to trust and relax on.

Some instruction and help from the other rider will sort it out I'm sure.

Good luck!
 
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I have a 13.3 Haflinger that is also very strong & is known to bolt, but I have changed his bit & it is like riding a different pony now. I can actually canter him anywhere & now stop with the slightest bit of contact.
Click to expand...

May have helped to have detailed which bit you changed to and from what...... :rolleyes:
 
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