How to stop a runaway horse
By Kim Baker
Have you ever been on a runaway horse? It’s pretty scary, not to mention
extremely dangerous. Here are some tips to help avoid the situation as well
as stop your horse in case it does happen to you.
Prevention is the best method.
Before you head out on the trail, you must have trust, communication and
leadership with your horse. If you don’t have these key factors at home,
there is no way you will have them out on the trail. Train and practice at
home to ensure you and your horse are comfortable riding alone, with other
riders, and through and over obstacles. The better prepared you are at
home, the easier it is to handle the unexpected out on the trail.
Ride with friends that are courteous and communicate well. Peer pressure is
never fun, and can be dangerous when you are coerced into riding beyond
where you feel comfortable. Your horse will know you are uncomfortable and
she will become uncomfortable as well; thus creating a dangerous situation.
Communication is key among riding groups to ensure no horse feels left
behind by the herd.
Photo by: Louise Page Caption: In large open areas you can stop a runaway horse by turning them onto a large circle then spiral inwards until they stop.
Runaway horse
The best way to slow down a runaway horse is to turn them. This is only
possible of course in a large open area and will not work on a single track
trail. If space is available to you, begin to turn your horse onto a very
large circle. If you turn is too abrupt you can cause your horse to become
off balance and possibly fall. As you circle, begin to spiral inwards and
make the circle smaller and smaller until your horse stops. If you’re on a
single track trail, pick up ONE rein and pull straight UP to slow down and
possibly stop your horse. Make sure it’s only one rein and you’re pulling
up towards the sky and not back towards your belly button. You may even
need to reach down your horse’s neck to shorten the length of your rein
before pulling up. If you pull back, it won’t have much effect on your
horse. If you pull back with both reins your horse can just hold on to the
bit and keep running. If your horse did not stop, but did slow, then
release the rein and take a deep breath. If your horse continues to run,
then try the one rein again, but use the other rein instead. Continue to
alternate one rein at a time with a deep breath in between until your horse
stops.
Stay Relaxed
This is extremely hard to do in a very scary situation! However, the more
upset you get the more your horse is encouraged to run faster. Hold onto
your horn or nightlatch, breathe, count to ten in your head, or anything you
can do to remain as calm and relaxed at possible. Once you start to relax
soon your horse will wonder why she’s running so fast.
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