HELP HEATHER?!

[czar]

I have this horse that is very forward going, and I cannot stop her at all! I would like to enter shows, but I am scared that she will run off with me - as she has before in fields. She always either gallops or canters off with me. Please help! Can anyone think of ways to slow her down for a show????!!! Thank you, Nicole

[fionahogg]

Hi Nicole. Well I wouldn't consider taking her to a show until she stops galloping off with you at home. If she were to do this at a show then there could be a serious accident.
What bit do you ride in? Does her tack fit? Are you sure she is totally 100% physically? Horses do not just gallop off for no reason. Has the horse had a bad experience in the past? There could be 1000s of reasons why she's galloping off with you, it's difficult to offer help. I think the only thing I can suggest is you find the reason why she's galloping off and once this has been eliminated you can start to retrain her.

What do you do when she gallops off?

Fiona.

[Jo]

Hi

well, some horses gallop off because they can. If your horse has learnt that he can - or feels he should - then he will do so until he learns he cannot. I know an ex-trekking horse who gallops wheneven her hoofs hit grass, simply because she has always done so.

I woudn't ride a horse who may bolt in a show area. It's exciting enough for quiet horses.