Rusty is a cool dude. He loves trails. But sometimes, he decides he wants to run and it's not always in a place where I can allow it. So yesterday, DD and I decided to explore a new trail that runs behind the neighbors' properties (with their permission of course). As soon as we left our usual trail to go on this new one, he started to trot, then canter. Well, there are very low branches on this stretch, any one of which can take me right off the saddle. We get through there by laying on our horses' backs.
So as he took off, I did the usual fruitless attempts to stop him. One rein stop, etc. But as always, nothing worked. So I turned him in towards the trees on the side of the trail. It didn't deter him. He ran headfirst into a tree. Literally, he stuck his face right into the trunk of an old fir. Ended up with a bunch of twigs attached to his bridle. I was able to lean over and pick them off.
Thoughts on whether this is a bad idea? After I did this, anytime he would suddenly decide to speed up (he also does it on a downhill stretch), I would do a half-halt and he would immediately slow down again. I think he figured out that this crazy lady on his back was just nuts enough to run him into a tree so he'd better listen, lol. He's a quirky fellow, but you can get through to him if you're just as quirky. You just need some creativity.
What else would you do to slow down an over-enthusiastic horse? I can't practice the one-rein stop in the arena because he never gets very excited in there. Turning him only results in him cantering sideways. He's remarkably flexible that way. :shock:
So as he took off, I did the usual fruitless attempts to stop him. One rein stop, etc. But as always, nothing worked. So I turned him in towards the trees on the side of the trail. It didn't deter him. He ran headfirst into a tree. Literally, he stuck his face right into the trunk of an old fir. Ended up with a bunch of twigs attached to his bridle. I was able to lean over and pick them off.
Thoughts on whether this is a bad idea? After I did this, anytime he would suddenly decide to speed up (he also does it on a downhill stretch), I would do a half-halt and he would immediately slow down again. I think he figured out that this crazy lady on his back was just nuts enough to run him into a tree so he'd better listen, lol. He's a quirky fellow, but you can get through to him if you're just as quirky. You just need some creativity.
What else would you do to slow down an over-enthusiastic horse? I can't practice the one-rein stop in the arena because he never gets very excited in there. Turning him only results in him cantering sideways. He's remarkably flexible that way. :shock: