Uncontrollable galloping! :(

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tillytime

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Hi all,
Was wandering if anyone can help me with a few useful suggestions. On quite a few occasions my horse has galloped off with me. This only really happens on the track on site, so I try to wear her out a bit first before allowing her to go there. I also try and do alot of walking and trotting on the track to stop her thinking shes allowed to charge off. If I feel her pulling to go I tend to bring her back to a walk, or if I'm happy to go and it feels controlled I will let her gallop on.
I've tried to cross the reins, and apply the pressure of her pulling into her neck.
Generally she is really slow and safe, but this is one area I can't seem to manage!
Please help before her or me gets seriously injured. :(
 
Sorry, No I've only been riding her for 8-9 months and a previous rider apparently used to do alot of galloping on her - hence why I've tried to bring it back to walk and trot! She's about 7-8 years. Irish cob type. I know its early days, but I know she can be controlled - we'll go for ages where I can gallop her and maintain control and then as I begin to trust her she tanks off with me! :(
 
if the track is longer than her fitness is...do the old fashioned kick heer to go and dont let her stop til she has really had enough, that will teach her that actually its easier to not gallop!!!!
 
pixiebee said:
if the track is longer than her fitness is...do the old fashioned kick heer to go and dont let her stop til she has really had enough, that will teach her that actually its easier to not gallop!!!!
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Unfortunately its not ... Its the best I can do to stop her galloping all the way back to the stable, and thats only usually because she loses her balance or something similar. It really is completely out of my control!:eek:
 
She needs to respect you, but I know that this is easier said that done, I only asked unless the track was a trigger, I know our mare wants to bomb off on a track, do you walk/trot up then turn and head back?
 
pixiebee said:
if the track is longer than her fitness is...do the old fashioned kick heer to go and dont let her stop til she has really had enough, that will teach her that actually its easier to not gallop!!!!
Click to expand...

That does work, if you have the balls to do it, my ex was asked to hunt a horse as a favour, and he fecked off at full speed, as it was what he thought would get him brought home early. He got some fright when, at full throttle, was asked for more!! He kicked him on, and on, even after the horse had decided that he was going to behave, and he was a changed horse after that.
If you dont have the confidence to do that, then put on the emergency handbrake. Whichever is your strongest hand, take it out past your hips and pull on one rein, sit back, and hey presto, your stopped. Now, sit back, because it stops them in their tracks. Elbow needs to be outside hips though, otherwise, hips block movement, and they dont stop. Hope you get sorted, and keep us posted.
 
caitlineloise said:
She needs to respect you, but I know that this is easier said that done, I only asked unless the track was a trigger, I know our mare wants to bomb off on a track, do you walk/trot up then turn and head back?
Click to expand...

This is how I was thinking, so didn't take her on there for a while. I felt the track was a trigger .... as soon as she hit it she thought it was time to charge from one end to the other.

Done loads of walk, trot, taking her off the track, turning, trying to get her to concentrate on me. Occasionally I can get some canter in there but usually only when I've really worn her out before hand (with hacking or jumping) then I can trust she won't have as much power to tank off.
I do a lot of schooling, hacking, lunging and ground work.

Do you think its something I'll just have to accept and take the risk with? She has fallen before because she tried turning to gallop home and I went flying! Luckily neither oof us got too injured, she was fine. I took a few weeks to recover!
 
fitzaud2 said:
That does work, if you have the balls to do it, my ex was asked to hunt a horse as a favour, and he fecked off at full speed, as it was what he thought would get him brought home early. He got some fright when, at full throttle, was asked for more!! He kicked him on, and on, even after the horse had decided that he was going to behave, and he was a changed horse after that.
If you dont have the confidence to do that, then put on the emergency handbrake. Whichever is your strongest hand, take it out past your hips and pull on one rein, sit back, and hey presto, your stopped. Now, sit back, because it stops them in their tracks. Elbow needs to be outside hips though, otherwise, hips block movement, and they dont stop. Hope you get sorted, and keep us posted.
Click to expand...

both methods work having tried both on serveral bratty ponies.lol!! The one rein method works well, i used to use both hands on one rein! You might want to put a full cheek bit in for now or something that cant get pulled through her mouth!
 
fitzaud2 said:
That does work, if you have the balls to do it, my ex was asked to hunt a horse as a favour, and he fecked off at full speed, as it was what he thought would get him brought home early. He got some fright when, at full throttle, was asked for more!! He kicked him on, and on, even after the horse had decided that he was going to behave, and he was a changed horse after that.
If you dont have the confidence to do that, then put on the emergency handbrake. Whichever is your strongest hand, take it out past your hips and pull on one rein, sit back, and hey presto, your stopped. Now, sit back, because it stops them in their tracks. Elbow needs to be outside hips though, otherwise, hips block movement, and they dont stop. Hope you get sorted, and keep us posted.
Click to expand...



I guess if there was space and I had the guts this could be the answer ... we don't. :(

I tried the pull on one rein, don't know if it did it wrong, but she basically lost all four feet scrambled around but then carried on! Maybe my arm / elbow position wasn't quite right. Could you give me a bit more detail. Is the arm movement coming out and back (as if opening a door maybe) staying in line horazontally?
 
pixiebee said:
both methods work having tried both on serveral bratty ponies.lol!! The one rein method works well, i used to use both hands on one rein! You might want to put a full cheek bit in for now or something that cant get pulled through her mouth!
Click to expand...

Ah, a change of bit might be a good idea. She's usually only on a snaffle as usually so slow and placid! Might look into borrowing something just for when I'm going to be risking galloping!!!!! :eek:
 
LaurenM said:
Out of interest, what bit does she have? Is there anyway you can avoid the track for a month or two?
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Shes only in a snaffle.

I did avoid the track, and when I went back tried to give her a different 'frame of mind' about it by working much slower! Which I feel did make a huge difference, but she is still charging off occasionally, which in a way is worse because I'm not expecting it as much!
 
I'm so sorry, I feel like I'm pushing everyones suggestions back at them. I don't mean to. I might not be taking everything in straight away so I will be reading and re-reading the replies to try and sort this problem, its getting dangerous.
Thank you for your suggestions so far. :)
 
Have you tried only ever walking back? Never canter back on the last track to the stables they learn very quickly that you will then get off and they can go back to their friends and grazing. Try riding with a friend who can make their horse just walk and you ride at the side or behind. Maybe when your riding out try using half halts through your ride to get better control.
 
What does she do before taking off? Head up/down, mouth open or closed, does she do it more when alone/in company, is it only ever in one direction?
 
flowerlady said:
Have you tried only ever walking back? Never canter back on the last track to the stables they learn very quickly that you will then get off and they can go back to their friends and grazing. Try riding with a friend who can make their horse just walk and you ride at the side or behind. Maybe when your riding out try using half halts through your ride to get better control.
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Worth a try ... even when I feel in control I will stick to a walk. And trying half halt when out is a good idea.
Maybe I'm making it worse by usually going on the track AFTER I have worn her out, thus just before I get off and she gets a rest!!!!
Although last time she tanked off with me I was able to take her straight into the school and do some work with her as I was adament she wasn't going to use her power to get what she wants. :)

Also, shes as good as gold when with others ... shes the one used to try and keep the anxious / excitable horses in line. Perhaps thats also a problem, although she is ridden a lot on her own!
 
Have you tried turning her in a circle before she shoots off. walk along the track and as soon as she gets strong turn her in a small circle on herself, as soon as she jogs turn a circle etc. It will take ages but she will get the idea. Never ever let her go if she wants to, she must only gallop on your command.
Have you tried a more experienced rider on her? Does she still gallop off?
 
LaurenM said:
What does she do before taking off? Head up/down, mouth open or closed, does she do it more when alone/in company, is it only ever in one direction?
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She puts her head down, mouth closed I think. Usually shes on her own, seems better if there are people watching (friends / family) at the sied of the track. If she's in company and we all decide to have a canter she will try to race if we get along side, although I think thats quite natural and she stays in canter.

The first few times was when we were heading in the direction I would class more as being towards home. (Track is kind of an arch shape!) But now she does it the other way too. I think I may be to blame for that. Because I was worried about her galloping off when heading home, there was a long period when if I did gallop it would only be away from home. Oooops. Discussing it her I'm starting to see where I'm making mistakes and possibly making it worse! Grrr.
 
dominobrown said:
Have you tried turning her in a circle before she shoots off. walk along the track and as soon as she gets strong turn her in a small circle on herself, as soon as she jogs turn a circle etc. It will take ages but she will get the idea. Never ever let her go if she wants to, she must only gallop on your command.
Have you tried a more experienced rider on her? Does she still gallop off?
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I have tried the circle thing ... it stopped her being able to go, but didn't seem to change her attitude, she still wanted to go the whole time (one end to the other)

No one else is willing to ride her at a gallop! So a bit stuck there!
 
This is something a list 2 dressage judge taught me on a horse who wouldn't stop cantering in the arena when I wanted toslow down. She would plough straight through me to go faster.
Both reins in an upwards motion hold for about a second, bring your hands back down then do it again. Apparently because your hands are going upwards the horse can't really lean on you as much.
Literally hands up then down then up etc.
This mare needs some serious respect for you!
Next option is the bit. People will say you need to school her correctly to come back to you. But some horses think "GALLOP!!" and the red mist descends.. No matter how well they are schooled!
I would rather be soft in a strong bit then hacksawing in a snaffle.
D :D
 
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tillytime said:
I guess if there was space and I had the guts this could be the answer ... we don't. :(

I tried the pull on one rein, don't know if it did it wrong, but she basically lost all four feet scrambled around but then carried on! Maybe my arm / elbow position wasn't quite right. Could you give me a bit more detail. Is the arm movement coming out and back (as if opening a door maybe) staying in line horazontally?
Click to expand...

There is a video on you tube, think it's australian, but it gives serious detail, and they reckon you should practice in all gaits, as tanking off in trot is just as scary to some. I think if yu google emergency stop horse riding or something like that you should find it, it is all about bringing out your elbow, so hips dont restrict it. Best thing I ever learned to do!!
 
Damnation said:
This is something a list 2 dressage judge taught me on a horse who wouldn't stop cantering in the arena when I wanted toslow down. She would plough straight through me to go faster.
Both reins in an upwards motion hold for about a second, bring your hands back down then do it again. Apparently because your hands are going upwards the horse can't really lean on you as much.
Literally hands up then down then up etc.
This mare needs some serious respect for you!
Next option is the bit. People will say you need to school her correctly to come back to you. But some horses think "GALLOP!!" and the red mist descends.. No matter how well they are schooled!
I would rather be soft in a strong bit then hacksawing in a snaffle.
D :D
Click to expand...

Thank you for that. Good advise, not something I would have thought to do. It does seem to be a 'red mist' effect. Any other suggestions on improving schooling to gain her respect, and slow her?
 
fitzaud2 said:
There is a video on you tube, think it's australian, but it gives serious detail, and they reckon you should practice in all gaits, as tanking off in trot is just as scary to some. I think if yu google emergency stop horse riding or something like that you should find it, it is all about bringing out your elbow, so hips dont restrict it. Best thing I ever learned to do!!
Click to expand...

Lovely, I'm going to go on the hunt for that now! Thank you :)
 
tillytime said:
Thank you for that. Good advise, not something I would have thought to do. It does seem to be a 'red mist' effect. Any other suggestions on improving schooling to gain her respect, and slow her?
Click to expand...

You say the mare is slow in all other ways so its hard really to help you on that front because I can't see her. If you had something that was wizzy anyway I could help but by the sounds of things, apart from on the track you don't want her to slow down hehe!

1) A good instructor to help you, they will be able to give you more schooing advice.

2) Start borrowing different bits off people and see if something like a hanging cheek, gag or pelham can help you because as I said I would rather be soft in a strong bit then tugging in a snaffle because in my eyes a bit is only as strong as the rider!!

3)Have you ever tried to just school her on this track? Literally, walk, halt, trot, walk transitions. Really make her listen. If she tanks, both hands up, or the one rein stop. You want to try and break this association!

The message you want to give is that it is ok to have a gallop, but on YOUR terms and with BREAKS!!!
D :D
 
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