Uncontrollable galloping! :(

from the description -= head down and tanks - i'd try something with a bit of gag action to lift her back up - maybe a loop ring? useful bits - gag action is there but v much limited :) might just be enough to check her

also what does she do with her mouth? if open then i'd consider a drop - if crossed jaw then a mexican

if she works well on nose pressure then a kineton noseband with current bit is also good but i'd wonder how useful it would be in the case with head set down - i'd use it more for ones who poke their nose and run...

sorry bit of a ramble but hope it helps
 
Posie my horse shives his head down- Kineton is perfect for him.

OP I agree with those saying change your bit- you've had some brilliant advice here :):)

Only thing I would say is if you change the bit, take her in the school with it first and get her used to it, and do lots of transitions etc- I've k own a few people hack out in a strong bit for the first use, and the horse wasn't expecting it when they had to stop, had a fright with the new bit, and they've gone up with their riders

Just a thought!!! I definately do think you should change it though, or at a minimum try a Kineton
 
intersting re: kineton - i've always considered it for horses who thrown heads up - so that's me told lol!
its a v useful bit of kit imho and often over looked
 
yes i ride in headcollar quite a bit too so my mare is the same :D
although her prob is too soft mouthed - stands and explodes - even out hunting i can hold her with a light contact mostly from the body - would never run off!!
 
Yeah mines like that :) I'm very proud of my boy lol- even when his brain goes he's light mouthed, and I intend to keep it that way :D:D:D

Though instead of running off, Tbf we get floating fly bucks instead lol ;)
 
Echo schooling where you gallop (transitions, leg-yield, circles, serpentines, whatever the track is wide enough for). Also after galloping towards 'home' either go straight past the stables and ask for more work/go in to the school/turn round and gallop back again. Anything to let her know that
1) the track is for lots of non-galloping things too
2) galloping home does not equal end of work

Also, if you have the option, makes sure that
a) she has as much turn out as possible
b) you gallop her regularly* (then it isn't a 'treat' for her to sneak, just a normal part of her work)

*NB this is what I found worked with a horse who really liked galloping, not something I think all need.
 
Irish cob that likes to gallop...been there done that got the t-shirt!!

I'll save you lots of time, money and experimenting...get a Mexican Grackle!!!

Honestly I've spent the last few months (see some of my old posts!) trying to stop my lad from bogging off at full pelt and after my lesson on saturday in a borrowed grackle I can honestly say we've found the key!!!! I've tried countless bits and all different contraptions and gadgets and it was like the heaven opened and sun shined down on us on saturday when he tried to bog off after a fence and I stopped him instantly!!!

We then took him into the big fields where he always tries to gallop and after a quick napping session, one failed attempted to bog off and a slight tantrum we even managed some schooling without me going into meltdown from nerves!!

Best money I've ever spent and now I have a chilled horse who knows he is allowed to gallop but only when I ask, and I have my nerve back to get going enjoying all the fun that comes with owning an insane cob!!!:D
 
I wouldn't try a gag on a horse that puts its head down and tanks, gags are poll pressure so will futher encourage them to drop their heads. I'd try something with a curb action, ideally a pelham (cobby types seem to like them).

My coblet used to tank off a lot unril I discovered one handed emergency stops. I do 3 very firm steady pulls, releasing between each one, one handed, straight back towards my body. And these are firm pulls - she's not being polite with you so don't worry about being polite with her! I usually wedge my heels down and rest my other hand near the withers so my full weight can go into pulling. Mine no longer tries to tank off because he knows it's pointless as I can stop him. You've got to have your wits about you, the second she goes a fraction faster than you want, act quickly and bring her back to you.
 
bex1984 said:
I wouldn't try a gag on a horse that puts its head down and tanks, gags are poll pressure so will futher encourage them to drop their heads. I'd try something with a curb action, ideally a pelham (cobby types seem to like them).

My coblet used to tank off a lot unril I discovered one handed emergency stops. I do 3 very firm steady pulls, releasing between each one, one handed, straight back towards my body. And these are firm pulls - she's not being polite with you so don't worry about being polite with her! I usually wedge my heels down and rest my other hand near the withers so my full weight can go into pulling. Mine no longer tries to tank off because he knows it's pointless as I can stop him. You've got to have your wits about you, the second she goes a fraction faster than you want, act quickly and bring her back to you.
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I've been watching clips of both the 'pulley rein' technique, and the 'one rein' technique, and undesided which to try (first) I worry about the horse being pulled around and losing her footing resulting in a fall as before!
Sounds like the pull and release is good! Thank you
 
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