What's the best thing to do?

[katie_and_toto]

I went XC schooling the other day with Toto for the first time. He was good to start with, a little spooky but ok, but as we got nearer the end, he started getting a bit speedy. When I wanted to trot into a fence, he's burst straight into a fast canter on the last 1 or 2 strides and then speed off afterwards. I did manage to stop afterwards, and maybe he was just hyper becasue he'd never been there before but what's the best way to keep a controlled canter/trot into fences for when I go my first xc rally?

 

[samp]

Sometimes horses rushes fences due to being afraid etc. Did you have a lead or anything? Perhpas he was feeling apprehensive? I would do lots of schooling exercises arounf XC courses to get his concentration again. If you feel he was not scared then sounds like a different noseband or bit is required?

 

[katie_and_toto]

No he didn't have a lead, that makes him worse when he's hyper lol. He was in a grackle and cheltenham gag to stop him leaning which worked brilliantly. We're going to have his teeth and back checked soon. I think he was perhaps just excited, I had just cantered him up a hill

I just need some advice to keep him steady

 

[jesterfaerie]

Lots of work before the jump, circle him before the jump until he calms down when going towards the jump then pop him over it may work as he does not know when you will allow him to go over the jump so may settle down. I have to do alot of transitions with my pony before and after a jump to get him settled, otherwise he just keeps getting more and more excited.