Running through the bit hacking in company

[WoahThereNelly]

Help!

My mare runs through the bit when out hacking- only when in company and going fast. She just ignores any pressure at all, snatches and grabs at it. If you go the opposite approach and loosen the contact, give her her head etc she gets faster and faster.

In open space it's not such an issue as she does stop when the group stops. The problem is on bridleways, really. She's totally mindless and just charges faster and faster after the ones in front, regardless of what branches and overgrown things are hanging in our way. I've nearly been decapitated a good few times!

She's awesome in the school - very responsive to seat and voice, works in a light soft contact and not at all strong. Unfortunately, once She's following another and going faster than walk, all training related to seat and voice seems to vanish out the window. She just doesn't pay any attention!

I don't want to be hauling on her mouth. She's currently in a neue schule team up for schooling and standard French link for hacking.

Any ideas much appreciated.

What happens if you go first?

I'd avoid fast company if I was you. Work with one other and get control back - it sounds dangerous.

She's OK if she's in front. The trouble is most of the horses on our yard are TBs and mine's a short legged pony, so putting them behind her on a narrow track really doesn't work - they just end up up her backside which is equally dangerous with kicking, bucking etc.

I would totally agree alone would be better but unfortunately we are an inner town yard where you have to ride on some very busy main roads to get out to the bridleways. It is much safer in numbers in case anything happened in that traffic.

It's not like we charge about everywhere I must add! This situation happens even at a fast trot. I end up trying to stop her getting faster and faster to keep up with them. I really think it is just her fear of being left behind.

Hmm well I think at least part of the blame lies with the TB owners to be honest if they are belting off at a smart trot that leaves the pony at the back charging along out of control just to keep up and/or can't keep their horses off her back-end if she's in front? It's a bit annoying having to adjust your pace to the slowest one but that's kind of the deal when you agree to hack out in company, you can't just go well this is my horse's pace, deal with it - even a TB should be perfectly capable of slowing their trot/canter to the pace of a pony if reasonably well schooled?

Get your point about wanting to hack in company for safety but if there's one patient/sensible companion you can go out with that's prepared to keep the pace steady esp on narrow/overhanging passes, I'd do that for a while and avoid the bigger/faster groups for a while, and do some schooling along your regular routes, don't just trot/canter at the places you always trot/canter but keep her brain busy and her attention on you with lots of transitions, lateral work, flexions and turns, if there are particular parts where she tends to rush I would walk her back and forth on them until she relaxes and listens, then short bursts of trot/canter but always coming back to you if she snatches or runs.

In emergencies do you know how to bridge your reins as this can give you a bit of extra control? Have you tried having your instructor ride her out hacking so they can feel what's going on and get some extra tips (or even hack out with you and give you a lesson out hacking) as there's nothing like experienced eyes on you to fix issues like this? As a last resort and providing you have light soft hands and aren't liable to hang, you could try a bit more kit on her to give you some extra brakes, I'm not sure exactly what the motion you are describing with the with the snatching if opening the mouth is an issue but a loosely fitted flash might assist there, or possibly a type of bit that doesn't encourage them to do head between the knees lean on the hands stuff, something like a waterford might work - but consult with an instructor or experienced person before changing anything!

Is moving yards an option? Is there anyone else on the yard with a smaller horse who is prepared to hack with you and not charge off in front and leaving you trailing in the wake? The situation sounds really dangerous. I would never hack with anyone not considerate enough to keep the pace to that of the slowest - yes its frustrating for those on long legged TBs wanting to stride out but its just so bloody inconsiderate and dangerous to have your pony left behind to the point that she is desperately trying to keep up and not listening to you.