The horse I ride has a bad habit developed by the owner bee many years that whenever they are in the open and/or hills she has Been allowed to gallop up every bit and I'm trying to stop her doing that. She knows whenever we go to certain spots especially she can go for it and it is becoming annoying and not particularly safe either. Any ideas? I've tried to walk her often. But she throws her head round and starts side stepping backing up and not responding well to the stage I have to hop off before I fall off.. She's really good in the arena but just hard to manage in the open and actually have fun. She's about 12yo and a kaimanawa living in an area with many hills and very little flat ground.
Responses (2)
I don't have much experience with galloping horses on open space, but maybe try dismounting before a hill, and hand walking the horse up. You can also have another rider with a well trained, calm horse next to you; I've heard calm horses have a good influence :) Or, start a steady trot/canter a good distance before you approach a hill, and show the horse you intend to keep it that pace. Another way would be to use a running martingale or a more severe bit? Hope I helped, and good luck!
I would suggest dismounting and leading the horse around the hills, if the horse is trying really hard to gallop up the hill try a harder bit. This also could be because the horse is not getting enough exercise. Try leaving the horse in a paddock more often.
Hope this helped :)