Craig Cameron

A Better Way - Running Away

Horses that run off usually have panicked and reverted to the strong self-preservation instinct. These horses usually have big engines and, on that particular day, they have a little too much energy.

Before you ride out the gate on a high-powered horse, take him to a round pen or corral and warm him up. Make him circle at liberty 20 to 25 times each direction, whatever it takes. Offer a resting spot near you when he relaxes and turns loose. You will know when that happens because the horse drops his head, works his ears and licks his lips.

If you find yourself in a runaway situation, don't try to stop your horse with two reins. Your horse could brace against them. Bend your horse with a one-rein stop. It might take all your strength, but bend him until you can turn him; and if you can turn him, you can stop him.

If you feel your horse is becoming unbalanced with your pull, ease up, and then bend again. The same thing goes for a horse that doesn't immediately respond to the one-rein stop. Have the presence of mind to release him, then pick up the rein and bend again. Keep it up. It's like reconnecting a circuit. Horses get into a panic mode, and you have to rewire them to get through to the brain.

A horse that regularly runs off probably wasn't really broke to begin with. Go back to all the basics and restart your horse.