[skypilot]

my gelding is finally in great trail riding shape...but now i am finding out....when he gets mad about something like not wanting to go a certain way...we engage in a pulling match, which he ends up winning being a draft horse he got alot of power...and lately he has taken off at a full out gallop..no matter how hard i pull he does not stop....i use a quater horse curve bit...some people have suggested to turn his head to your knee..but i have to tell you guys i am afraid to do that b/c last year with another horse i was taken care of took off with me and i used that method and ended up flipping the horse....the horse was ok but i was crushed underneath the horse and i afraid to try that again...any suggestions?

[sher327]

Install brakes before you take him out again! Really, teach him the one rein stop in a quiet controlled area at every speed! My guess is the other horse didn't know it or was just a nut LOL While it is possible to do it(pull them over) a horse that has respect for you,is well trained and knows this cue will more than likely respond without incident.

However, if he is telling you where to go, I'd work on whos in charge before I took him out on the trails again, especially if hes bolting off! Mine is doing this occasionally but he does not bolt, our worst scene is some head tossing and huffing but he does it in one spot

Good luck!

[Wounded]

I know your pain. A horse i used to ride was like that ONLY on the trails. In the arena I could barely get her moving and then out on trails i couldnt get her to stop.

Before you head to the trail make sure he knows how to back up and stop, turn left and right and RESPECT you. However if something happens first thing i'd suggest is STAY calm. If a rider feels insecure the thought that goes through their brain translates into action. The combination of a nervous rider and a nervous horse promotes an incresing spiral of anxiety. It sounds to me as if you are scared when the horse bolts.
If it is a safe open feild without hazards just let them run it out. He will eventually come back to his senses meanwhile just tray to get some circles in. START big and make them smaller as you go to help him balance it out and prevent falling over.
Anothering thing you can try is if the area is open and fairly safe make him run for his money. Make him believe that you wanted him to gallop. If he wants to run why not make him run at you standards?
If all else fails and this horse is in a blind panic then i suggest sitting as deep as you can and see-sawing. Dont pull the horses head to your knee though that could be dangerous esspecially if he does a shrp turn. That almost guarentees a one way trip to the ground. If you do get him under control DONT praise him just let him think about it DONT hit him. Once he seems bajk into reality start slow, If you know what he spooked at let him walk around it a few times. Expose him to the things he is afraid of.

Last but not least. Please DO NOT go alone. The presence of another horse is comforting and god forbid but if anything does happen there will be someone there to help you.

[tucklove]

It is true that you could pull him over on you, but that would be hard to do. The thing about a one rein stop is that while you do want to do it quick enough to STOP the horse, you don't want to do it so fast that you throw them completely off balance. From what you said about how strong he is (not to mention what I can see from the picture, very handsome!) I wouldn't worry too much about jerking him off of his feet. If you've got the space, like you're not on a narrow trail, and you have to get him to stop, pull his head around gradually, but don't stop until he has quit his forward motion. You may end up with his nose on your knee a few times, but eventually he'll get the message that when you start pulling he is going to stop one way or another. But like the others said, definately work on his whoa in a controlled place first, this stop is mostly for just started youngsters or if you're in trouble.

[skypilot]

thanks for your replies guys...i am going for a ride this morning....i will try some of your guys advice....will see how it goes...I'll keep yeah posted...don't worry i am riding with asfaloth today...

[Moostang]

Before you go "out" for a ride, spend some time close to the barn (prefered roundpen/arena/confined area) teaching the one rein stop. This can save you from a panicked horse.
If you do a search of the forum you should find some good info on teaching the one-rein-stop

[skypilot]

yeah took him our for a ride today....everytime he started getting out of control...i would turn him around make him fae the other way...if he really got bad i made him back up a few steps....my friends where looking at his bridle today it is possable that my curb strap is interfering with the bit...so when i go to equine affaire i am going to look into a better bit that fits him better with his curb strap...that might be a part of the problem....
just to clear up one thing Captain takes off when he is mad...not because he is scared but because he is really moody usually with the fact he didn't get turned out that day...and he just takes out his mood on me when i ask him to go on a trail ride...its his way of bulking i guess....