About a month ago, Monac and my daughter's pony spooked and bolted out on a hack, which was very scarey and we were both injured (horses OK though )
Couldn't ride for a while, so stuck to lunging to keep Monac's fitness up. When I went out for our first hack since, I went with Monac's owner, who was riding the pony that spooked with my daugher. Anyway, Monac took off with me again, went cantering up the wrong side of the road, it took a while for me to bring him back under control this totally knocked my confidence.
His owner has suggested I try riding in side reins as he lifts his head when he takes off with me. I normally use a martingale, but this dosn't seem to do anything (other than give me something to hang onto when the need arises!)
Anyway, I'm almost healed (physcially) so am ready to get back into riding. Normally only go hacking as we are rubbish in the school, but not ready to go out hacking again. Have rode twice in the arena with the side reins and I've got to say Monac is behaving beautifully with them, and we've managed some lovely canters in the arena (which I always find difficult). Normally Monac is tense, I'm tense and he ends up on the wrong leg or is really unbalanced and throws in the odd buck.
Had read a previous thread about side reins, saying there should be no need to use them. Can someone please explain why they shouldn't be used. Am I going to do some damage? All I see at the moment, is that he seems to be working correctly.
Please advise. Thanks
Couldn't ride for a while, so stuck to lunging to keep Monac's fitness up. When I went out for our first hack since, I went with Monac's owner, who was riding the pony that spooked with my daugher. Anyway, Monac took off with me again, went cantering up the wrong side of the road, it took a while for me to bring him back under control this totally knocked my confidence.
His owner has suggested I try riding in side reins as he lifts his head when he takes off with me. I normally use a martingale, but this dosn't seem to do anything (other than give me something to hang onto when the need arises!)
Anyway, I'm almost healed (physcially) so am ready to get back into riding. Normally only go hacking as we are rubbish in the school, but not ready to go out hacking again. Have rode twice in the arena with the side reins and I've got to say Monac is behaving beautifully with them, and we've managed some lovely canters in the arena (which I always find difficult). Normally Monac is tense, I'm tense and he ends up on the wrong leg or is really unbalanced and throws in the odd buck.
Had read a previous thread about side reins, saying there should be no need to use them. Can someone please explain why they shouldn't be used. Am I going to do some damage? All I see at the moment, is that he seems to be working correctly.
Please advise. Thanks