Tanking Off - Western style

[Yokel]

I have recently bought a lovely ex-pleasure show horse. However, although he is wonderfully schooled and obedient in most cases, when I take him into open country and ride him with another horse, if I ask for a little canter he goes into a full-on gallop and is completely unstoppable. :eek:

I think the red mists descend because he is so excited with turf under his feet as I suspect he has only been ridden in a sand school / show ring.

I am not very experienced as a Western rider (most of my experience is English). My first reaction is not to let him out of a walk on open ground. But......does anyone have any useful advice?

[K.T]

I would do lots of transitions, with only a couple of strides into canter - back to trot ect ect use your body weight sit back and think stop while pull then release the second he slows.

i know its easier said than done!

my cob used to tank off quite regular (she was English trained though) its very scarey - also depends if they are running from excitement or fear - my cob used to tank from fear - she was scared of anything and everything.

but i think if you can prevent the rollor coaster effect by transistions its a safe option, i did train my cob to "woooa" on a lunge which did help when she was excited - by not much use in a blind panic.

Good luck!

[Tuff_up]

transistions so that you keep him on his toes and he doesn't get the chance to think about tanking off and listens to you more. Once he tanks off back him up as a repremand (if its because he is not scared, if he is scared then you guys need to build trust so he trusts you) and back him up to where he tanked off. It easier said then done always.

[jinglejoys]

Transitions.....and have you learnt the one rein stop and emergancy dismount?;):)

[Yokel]

Thanks to you all for your input. I agree that a lot of transitions and building trust is the way forward. I think I have been expecting too much of my nice little new horse. He needs to learn his job and what is expected of him and he can't know that unless I explain it to him!

We shall go slowly together until he understands me better (and I him).

[Tuff_up]

jinglejoys Transitions.....and have you learnt the one rein stop and emergancy dismount?

you can't do a one rein stop in a curb bit so if your riding in a curb bit don't try it, it may confuse/stress him more.

[leviskipperette]

you can do a one rein stop in a curb bit if the mouthpiece can move independently on each side. if it has a fixed solid mouth piece it will all move as one big chunk and wont work. it depends on the bit.