How to Teach Your Strong Horse to Be In Control

It’s not enjoyable to ride a horse that pulls, runs away, or moves faster than you’d want, and a runaway horse can be deadly. Controlling a powerful horse may not be as straightforward as riding with a more severe bit; all horses are capable of pulling a rider from the saddle.

Poor saddle fit, lack of outside time, dental issues, fear or lack of confidence, lack of training, a rider’s heavy hands, and unclear or contradicting orders can all contribute to a horse tugging at the reins. You’ll be able to figure out the best method to remedy the situation if you can figure out why your horse is moving away from you.

You’ll be on your way to a solution after you figure out why your horse is difficult to handle. If a horse is in agony, you won’t be able to compel it to perform what you want. Prioritize saddle fit, dental treatment, health issues, and hoof problems. Expecting a horse to remain obedient when in pain from any of these factors is not fair nor rational.

Examine Digestive Problems

Maintain as much “naturalness” as possible with your horse. If it can’t be let out (allowed outside) on pasture all of the time to graze, make sure it feeds with its head down and has plenty of opportunities to roll, gallop, and buck when it’s feeling enthusiastic. Reduce the number of concentrates in its diet while still offering high-quality hay or pasture grass. 1

Examine the Rider’s Position

When we ride, we might establish negative habits and unknowingly teach our horses undesirable behavior. Poor seat posture and heavy hands, as well as mistimed signals and other behaviors, can all confuse and annoy a horse. If you want to improve your riding skills, consider taking a few lessons.

Another thing to consider while riding is whether you allow the horse to anticipate what will happen next. Do you go for a calm ride in the woods before kicking your horse into a gallop when you reach an open field? Your horse may grow agitated as he anticipates what is to come.

Horse Retraining

Taking your horseback to the basics will not be a mistake. Even if your objective is to trail ride, schooling will help a powerful, difficult-to-control horse. The goal is to cultivate greater obedience: ride circles, serpentines, loops, and other patterns at different speeds. Keep your horse’s attention occupied and focused on the task at hand.

You might wish to start at the beginning, with lunging for obedience and voice assistance. It’s also critical to foresee potential problems and take action to avoid them before they materialize. A riding instructor or trainer can assist you if you are unsure how to proceed.