Help with 'running away!!'

katydid · 06-28-2009, 11:53 PM

I know running it out can and does work for some horses, but I'd be careful with using that one ... my greenie, who is inherently lazy, got a little more energy when we went through a cold snap this winter, and kept trying to transition up without my permission. So I thought (knowing she is inherently lazy), fine -- if you want to go, we'll go. And that's exactly what I did, basically cantered her past the point where she was asking to slow down. OK, that worked for a few rides in a row. Now, eventually it starts to warm up, she's more chill, but we go into the arena and for some reason she wants to GO, even though she doesn't have the "extra dose" of energy anymore -- because now she thinks that is what we do at the beginning of the ride, canter around and around until she is tired. Oops. Had to fix that.

I had a jump charger (before and/or after) that I sent to a hunter trainer to fix the problem, and this is what they did: starting with poles, horse had to walk over the poles calmly. When she could do that, moved to trotting over slowly -- if she got excited and tried to charge, back to walking. Once she trotted over poles calmly, on to cantering. If she got excited, back to trot -- etc. After poles were mastered, on to cross-rails. Then 2 fts, etc. It's slow and methodical but I saw them use the technique with some success ...

AtomicTop · 06-29-2009, 03:06 AM

What's his feed like? Could he be hot from too much grain? Sometimes it's easy to forget that the problem could be something as simple as that.

GotaDunQH · 06-29-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacowgirl

Okay I'm confused.... sorry to be ignorant but how does it resemble a pain problem?

Are you saying he may be in pain therfore unable to be comfortably collected; and so he just takes off?

Sorry, just trying to understand.

Sometimes when a horse's behavior or performance changes quickly, it's the result of a physical issue.

Jennifer

JuliaNeigh · 06-29-2009, 11:12 AM

I agree with people on going back to the basic flat work, bending flexing collection etc there's no point in pushing the horse for jumping if their not great with everything else. It will take a while but will definitely be worth it in the end

I've been riding a TB who was off the track and all that horse likes to do is go regardless of where or what he is doing. I've taken to lunging him before we go for a ride so he gets some of his energy out and when riding (usually on the trails) if I give him a loose rein to relax a bit he just takes off I frequently use a one rein stop because nothing else works. Eventually he gets it through his head and will walk calmly on a loose rein. And if he's been good or I feel generous I let him go for a good run just in an open field (I live in the prairies there's nothing but flat fields everywhere lol) until he tires and gets it out of his system. Another thing I find useful when I ask him for a trot if he gets to forward I make him stop then back up and stand until it clicks and he doesn't insist on rushing.

Good luck

dacowgirl · 06-29-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotaDunQH

Sometimes when a horse's behavior or performance changes quickly, it's the result of a physical issue.

Jennifer

Gotcha.

I figured something along those lines but just wanted to be sure. Thanks Jennifer!

CardioQueen · 06-30-2009, 03:32 PM

Make sure that even though your horse is running away, that you are still riding with contact in your legs and lower back. You should still be pushing your horse into your aids with your legs/lower back muscles and restraining with the hands (not pulling) in order to half halt.

Definitely check for physical pain if this is new.

What kind of grain is he on? Perhaps it's too high energy for him?

Also definitely don't be jumping intracate courses or high fences if this problem is continuing. Take it back to square one. If he's running on the flat, I wouldn't even consider jumping unless somehow he canters better jumping (sometimes jumping helps my horse calm down because it gives her something to think about and encourages her to stretch).

06-29-2009, 03:06 AM	#22
AtomicTop Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 389 Images: 11	What's his feed like? Could he be hot from too much grain? Sometimes it's easy to forget that the problem could be something as simple as that. __________________ The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears! Horses are the best proof that there is a God!

06-29-2009, 11:12 AM	#24
JuliaNeigh Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 96 Images: 2	I agree with people on going back to the basic flat work, bending flexing collection etc there's no point in pushing the horse for jumping if their not great with everything else. It will take a while but will definitely be worth it in the end I've been riding a TB who was off the track and all that horse likes to do is go regardless of where or what he is doing. I've taken to lunging him before we go for a ride so he gets some of his energy out and when riding (usually on the trails) if I give him a loose rein to relax a bit he just takes off I frequently use a one rein stop because nothing else works. Eventually he gets it through his head and will walk calmly on a loose rein. And if he's been good or I feel generous I let him go for a good run just in an open field (I live in the prairies there's nothing but flat fields everywhere lol) until he tires and gets it out of his system. Another thing I find useful when I ask him for a trot if he gets to forward I make him stop then back up and stand until it clicks and he doesn't insist on rushing. Good luck __________________ Julia + Murphy one in a million;

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06-28-2009, 11:53 PM	#21
katydid Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 637	I know running it out can and does work for some horses, but I'd be careful with using that one ... my greenie, who is inherently lazy, got a little more energy when we went through a cold snap this winter, and kept trying to transition up without my permission. So I thought (knowing she is inherently lazy), fine -- if you want to go, we'll go. And that's exactly what I did, basically cantered her past the point where she was asking to slow down. OK, that worked for a few rides in a row. Now, eventually it starts to warm up, she's more chill, but we go into the arena and for some reason she wants to GO, even though she doesn't have the "extra dose" of energy anymore -- because now she thinks that is what we do at the beginning of the ride, canter around and around until she is tired. Oops. Had to fix that. I had a jump charger (before and/or after) that I sent to a hunter trainer to fix the problem, and this is what they did: starting with poles, horse had to walk over the poles calmly. When she could do that, moved to trotting over slowly -- if she got excited and tried to charge, back to walking. Once she trotted over poles calmly, on to cantering. If she got excited, back to trot -- etc. After poles were mastered, on to cross-rails. Then 2 fts, etc. It's slow and methodical but I saw them use the technique with some success ...

06-30-2009, 03:32 PM	#26
CardioQueen Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 13	Make sure that even though your horse is running away, that you are still riding with contact in your legs and lower back. You should still be pushing your horse into your aids with your legs/lower back muscles and restraining with the hands (not pulling) in order to half halt. Definitely check for physical pain if this is new. What kind of grain is he on? Perhaps it's too high energy for him? Also definitely don't be jumping intracate courses or high fences if this problem is continuing. Take it back to square one. If he's running on the flat, I wouldn't even consider jumping unless somehow he canters better jumping (sometimes jumping helps my horse calm down because it gives her something to think about and encourages her to stretch).