Training ex-racer not to take off when asked to canter in open

[woody4shoes]

Hello, everyone, I have an ex-racer and I am looking for some advice. I generally ride him in a snaffle and he is quite responsive. But when we get into open countryside and I ask him to canter, he wants to take off and I can struggle to pull him up. I would like to take him hunting, but need to get this sorted first. I am looking for suggestions as to how i can train him to listen and come back to me and to not get into racehorse mode unless I ask. Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[JustMe22]

Unfortunately this is more time and patience than anything else. Mine still can't really trot in a group out on hacks without getting overly excited and trying to buck me off, but is fine in group lessons.

Remember that generally the more you pull on a racehorse, the faster they go. You almost have to sit up and relax the contact in a lot of cases. If that doesn't work, then you need to install a 'stop' button.

I would be working on your downward transitions out on hacks. Start in trot to halt, then in an open space I would be working on a smallish circle initially and asking for canter for only a few strides before coming back down to walk or trot. He needs to realise that canter doesn't mean RACE. If this needs to be achieved with a stronger bit for the first few rides then so be it.

I might also consider teaching him to stop from the neckstrap (but obviously do this in an arena or more closed area first). Start in walk, pull back on the neckstrap and praise when he halts. Once that is established move to trot and so on. A lot of horses naturally respond to this quite well.