So how do you handle a run away horse on a trail? The very first time I was on a horse was when I was 8 years old. Something spooked the horse I was on and he took off with me. I was terrified and it is something that I still have a hard time getting past. I love horses and riding but everytime I climb on one I start to shake. It was really stupid of the barn to put such a novice rider on a spooky horse. But it is done now. I think that if I know the proper way to handle a run away horse I might not be so nervous.

Huntress

What a great topic. Just a bit of background of me. I ride racehorses, so I sure know the meaning of getting run off with very well. Its happened to me several times. Its part of the job!

The best thing you can do when a horse takes off is sit back, keep your hands low, sea saw the reins, and keep doing it until the horse stops.

The purpose of sitting back is to let the horse know that you want to stop, not go forward. It also allows you to use your body strength and not just your arm strength to aid in stopping the horse.

The purpose of keeping your hands low, is to encourage the horse to keep him head down. If you move your hands up high, he is able to get his head up and you have no contact with the bit.

The purpose of sea sawing the reins is to keep the horse from locking up on the bit and giving you no control.

You should be able to stop a runaway horse within a few stride if you do it right. If not, then your screwed until the horse wants to stop!

Thank you for the info! I will keep it in mind, should it ever happen to me again (and I hope that it does not! lol)

Back when I was working on my fear I was taking riding lessons from this awesome lady. She taught me how to do a moving dismount, but only from a walk and a trot, not a canter or a full fledged 'run like the wind Bullseye!' lol. I don't think that I would ever want to or even consider do a moving dismount on a horse that is going strong. And I think there is a big difference between the trail and the arena floor!


lol I guess so!

Thanks!
Huntress

I'll share one story about the 'moving dismount' you mentioned. Note that I have never been taught this in the past so I am sure I did it all wrong! LOL

One morning I was working a TB around the track (meaning going as fast as I can), anyways, when I was coming around the turn, I felt something off balance, so I looked down as saw that my saddle started sliping to the inside. I tried to recover the saddle and keep it straight, but with the curve of the turn it was too much, I finally took my feet out of the irons and tried to ride the horse bareback while going at a fast speed. The saddle was gone and I was bearly hanging on. I tried to pull up the horse, but racehorses are trained to work on the bit, so he was pulling against me and I needed the irons to give me enough leverage to pull him up. So, I decided I needed to bail! LOL I looked down and noticed the rail on the left and thought "mm that wouldn't be fun to fall on", so I grabed the right rein tighter and pulled the horse off the rail and started to slide myself off the left hand side and tried to let go keeping my body somewhat straight. Well, I landed and slid along the dirt. Not a scratch on me! That was the one and only time I had to bail off a horse and I was just so lucky I didn't get hurt traveling at the speed, but let me tell you, the dirt feels hard too!

I grew up working at the local riding stable for years. The guides got stuck with the worst of the unsafe horses. We had one gelding that ran away with everyone. By accident we found if you stopped pulling back, the game was over and he'd slow down all by himself. He was the one we used to always try a one rein stop with. I have to laugh at that! We were doing the "one rein stop" before John Lyons ever coined the phrase and started charging to teach it to people!
The horse I have right now I've owned for 8 years. She has never been "opened up" on the trails or anywhere and doesn't have a clue that running off is even an option. I plan on keeping it that way

Amused -

I wonder if that one horse used to be a racehorse. That is how racehorses are broke. The harder you pull, the faster and harder they pull on you. You cut them slack, they relax and slow down (most of the time! lol)

FancyHorse, sounds like you did an excellent job! I would have been one screamy mess, let me tell you! My biggest fear is being stepped on by a horse or having a horse fall on me.

Huntress

Amused, sounds like that horse wanted his way or no way at all! lol They can be very stubborn at times, can they not?

Huntress

Huntress - Being steped on hurts but I agree with you about being scared of having a horse fall back on you. I've had a close call and my BF has had that happen a few times. OUCH is right.

This happened to be once when I was on a trail ride. The guide had been in front of us, but slowed and went towards the end of the group to help someone else having an issue. I slowed up the horse I was riding, but it was just as we were coming around the bend. I fully believe he saw the stables and that is what caused him to TAKE OFF. It scared the pants off of me because I didn't know this horse. I automatically leaned back and squeezed with my legs (to try and hang on) I kept saying "WHOOAAAAA" and pulled back on the reins. He didn't stop, but at least slowed up. The trail guide raced ahead and made the horse turn back. The guide said he NEVER lets the horses race back to the barn So, he made us go b ack up to the trail and walk slowly to the dismount place.
Otherwise, he knew all of the horses would race as fast as they could to 'home'.
It was scary... but, at least I did what I could to slow the horse down.