We ask a lot of breakaway horses—maybe even more so than with head horses—because we demand exceptional precision for such an explosive and short period of time. That can absolutely get them feeling on the muscle.
What Not to Do
When a horse gets nervous and wants to run backward and hit the corner, your instinct may be to put your hand down since, ultimately, you wanted them to back up. But that’s the worst thing you can do.
What to Do
• Keep hold of the reins and ride your horse with your feet into your hand.
• Pick up your hand and turn him and keep him in the bridle—don’t pull back, but keep him between your bridle reins, into the bit.
You need to be on your feet and maneuver the horse with your feet—not your legs.
• Look where you want to go.
• Move your feet and put your front end where you want him. Ask him with your feet to get the speed you need.
• Relax down on your feet, but keep using them.
• Engage his back end while you back up, and keep the contact on the bridle—don’t pull, just keep contact.
• Go one step at a time.
• Let him relax once you get to the corner.
• When you pick him up to ride him up, use your feet to make him go to your hand, and put the front end where you want it.
• When you want to walk forward, hold the bridle and ride him forward—hold up, not back, with your rein hand.
The Theory
No matter what, you have to have control of the bridle. That makes your horse a lot less nervous, because he’s told what to do. When they’re nervous, and you let them make the decisions on a loose rein, they’re even more nervous because they want to be told what to do. Horses are just like kids—they’re looking to you for direction and guidance, and when they don’t get that, they’ll be even more nervous. BRJ
