Also, are there times when you would tell someone not to let their horse just run? It has been proven that horses are creatures of habit, if they find the release from pressure in running will they not learn to keep running? and what about those of us who do not have the skills to sit on a run away horse? Isn’t there an easier way to control the horse?

In a horsemanship clinic one time, I saw a woman who had a problem with a runaway horse. The instructor stopped the clinic and told everyone else to watch. He told her to just let her horse run. I could see that she was afraid, but she had faith that the instructor would not lead her astray. With his leadership, she was able to conquer her fear and allow that horse to run.

So, again, trust in the leader is key.

It’s unfortunate that you did not have someone to lead you through this problem when you were a kid. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to just let my horse run. But if my instructor told me it was OK, I would do it. You probably would have, too, if there were someone to guide you through it.

Of course it’s hard to diagnose a problem from years ago, but I have a guess.

It may be that your horse figured that it was expected of him to run. He may not have known anything different. I have seen this before. A previous owner may have held on to the bit really hard and only let it go when it was time to run. Your horse may have thought, “Person on back, no pressure on bit: I am expected to run.”

If I were instructing you today, I would probably put you in an arena with just you and your horse. Ask him to go, and let him run for as long as you like. You’d have to have the courage to hang on and ride him out, though. It wouldn’t take but five minutes before he would be breathing hard and tired. He would suddenly say, “Why am I running?” You would allow him to stop and rest a minute or so. Then, ask him to go again. If he runs again, let him, but I guarantee he won’t go as long.

Eventually, when you ask him to go, he will move at a walk. Stop with a few steps and praise him mightily. Let him rest a long time. Ask again for him to move. About this time he’ll be saying, “Really? It’s OK if I just walk?” “Yup, buddy, let’s just walk.” Both of you would be a lot happier.

The point is that it is the horse’s choice to stop running. And reinforce that idea with praise and rest. That’s the point you two start communicating and forming a partnership.

How many times have you heard someone say, “But, that’s the way we’ve always done it?” And even though you are suggesting a better way, they resist the change? It’s a similar problem.

One time I went into a colleague and said, “Kathy, I have written a new computer program that will make your daily balancing easier.” Kathy told me that she knows and understands how her system works now, even though it’s a lot of work. Rather than insisting that she use the new program, I just said, “OK. I have an easier way to get your work done. When you are ready to use it, I’ll be here.” She came in the next day and asked how to use the new program. I set up the situation to help her change her mind, but it was her idea.

Anyway you make some very astute observations, which are equally applicable with Horses as people.

Now if I could only figure out why my Childhood horse wanted to take off at a dead run, the moment I was in the saddle. He was fine and quite handleable on the ground, and saddling, but the moment I touched the saddle He wanted to run. He wasn’t mad, unless I held him back to a trot. That’s one that will puzzle me for a lifetime.