oops - pony discipline

[Hels]

At our yard we have a new, massive field that I went in for the first time yesterday, with two friends. We started off very sedately, walking round the edge to where it starts to slope upwards. Then we galloped up, turned the horses round, walked back down the middle of the field. We decided to go back up again but start in trot. I was reasonably in control but one of the others was going a bit mad dancing on the spot - anyway we galloped up again. Then we came back down at a walk (which was actually all three horses jogging). We had the idea of a gentle canter to the gate when were on the level again. We were all three abreast at this point and the horses were all excited, but under control - except Carrie (mine) who suddenly decided to shoot off. We all ended up galloping towards the gate.

It was quite a thrill but I feel guilty that I wasn't able to prevent my horse from shooting off. The others were able to (until mine went)! Given that I was on a Cob (albeit v. forward going) and one of the others was on an ex-race horse I feel as if I should have been in more control.

Can anyone give me tips? I was thinking maybe I should always in future go down the side of the field when I want to walk and only venture into the middle when I'm ready to speed up. That would mean that I could turn her into the hedge if she doesn't listen, but would it mean that she associates the middle of the field with galloping? Would we have been better to follow one another rather than go 3 abreast?

Any tips and views welcome!

[Gracie]

I don't really have any good advice to give except don't feel guilty.. it happens, Especially when you introduce a horse to a new field with lots of open space. They are animals and not cars or machinery that you can always control, they have minds of thier own. Thats what gives them character! I think the more you bring your horse out into the field chances are the less he'll bolt off. You could always play it safe and like you said stay to the outside of the field that way you can always turn your horse into the hedges! Maybe if you talk to your horse the whole time and keep him thinking(*even on rides that are suppose to be fun!) it may keep him from thinking about things to bolt off about. Like if you use lots of transitions...trot to walk,walk to trot, sitting trot, rasing trot and just keep mixing him up so that he doesn't have time to think about bolting! Best of luck!

[Hels]

Thanks Gracie,

Sounds good advice. I am going to try just walking and trotting and lots of circling and transitions next time I go in so hopefully she won't associate being in there with a good gallop!