Rein It In: My Proven Techniques to Control a Horse That Bolts or Takes Off

If you’ve ever taken a young horse on a hack and felt like they’re just bursting with energy, you’re not alone! One rider recently shared that their 6-year-old mare gets overly excited when hacking, especially when she sees open grass. She’s great in the arena but struggles to stay calm on trails, even bolting twice in her excitement. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—it’s a common challenge with young horses adjusting to new environments. Here are some strategies that can help you regain control and build a better connection with your horse.

1. Break Her Down to Small Circles

When your horse starts to get too strong or speeds up, gently guide her into smaller circles at a trot. This approach engages her mind and body without creating a tug-of-war over the reins. Keep her circling until she’s back at a pace you’re comfortable with, then return to straight-line work. If she starts rushing again, repeat the process. This teaches her that excitement leads to more work, not less.

2. Let Her Lope Until She’s Tired

If you’re in a safe and enclosed space, consider letting her work off that extra energy. Allow her to lope until she wants to stop, but don’t let her quit just yet. Keep her moving a little longer by incorporating figure eights or frequent direction changes. This tactic shows her that “fun” speeds come with responsibility, helping her learn that it’s easier to listen to you from the start.

3. Stay Soft on the Reins

Pulling hard on the reins can create resistance and escalate the situation. Instead, focus on staying soft with your hands and using your seat and legs to communicate. A deep seat and an exhale can help her feel less tension from you, which can help her stay calmer.

4. Use the Arena for Prep

Building control and responsiveness in the arena is key. Practice transitions, bending, and responsiveness to your seat and legs during your arena work. This will help her tune in to your cues, making it easier to maintain control when you’re out on the trail.

5. Be Patient and Consistent

Remember, she’s young, in a new environment, and full of energy. Patience and consistency are your best tools. With time and repetition, she’ll learn that the easiest path is to listen to you and stay calm.

Transform Your Horsemanship Inside The Starting Point.

This is where you start.

If what you just read resonates—if you’re ready to let go of the frustration and build a partnership based on trust, patience, and clarity—The Starting Point is your next step.

This isn’t just a course. It’s a reset.

A chance to rebuild your horsemanship from the ground up, using the exact principles I talked about above.

Inside The Starting Point, I’ll walk you through my proven Collaborative Horsemanship system, including:

• How to approach training with the right mindset

• Practical steps for improving your groundwork and timing

• My SAT method for solving problems with feel and fairness

You’ll also get three powerful bonuses to help you succeed:

BONUS: The Groundwork Guide – So you can build trust and clarity from the ground up.

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BONUS: Building Trust & Starting Strong with a New Horse – Ideal for fresh partnerships or rebuilding after time away.

This course has helped hundreds of riders just like you—folks who wanted more than tips and tricks. They wanted a system. A way to lead their horses with clarity and calm confidence.

If you’re ready to work with your horse, not against them…If you’ve been searching for a better way…

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I’ll be with you every step of the way.

Stay safe out there, and remember, building trust takes time and consistency. You’ve got this!

-- KJS