Hacking

Question
When I go out hacking me and my friends like to canter but we normally gallop. But recently my 13hh 5yr old connamara pony (when we gallop) has started to put his head between his legs if I try to slow down. Witch makes the reins fall out my hands. His saddle is fine and he is ridden In a lose ring snaffle. Know he has started this in lessons if i try to go back to a trot after a canter. Can you give me any ideas why he does this and how to stop it as im sure the judge wouldn't like this in a show.  

Answer
Dear Olivia:
   What your pony is doing is being disobedient. It's his way of saying that he doesn't want to answer your aids. If a stop isn't put to this but quickly, you will probably find that he will add a nasty little buck once that head goes down, and you'll likely to end up on the ground watching him as he races off.
   I would begin by having a talk with your friends about what your pony is doing and get them on side with you as you head out for a hack. Rule number one is going to have to be no galloping until he's completely given up this bad habit. This means that the people you ride with will need to accept that (at least for a while) galloping is out for them too while you and your pony are along. To have them gallop off while you try to maintain the canter will only make things much worse.
   When you go out, practice some gymnastics work wherever you riding terrain permits. This means that instead of galloping across that long grassy field in a straight line like a bullet, that you and your friends practice some circles and transitions, serpentines and leg yields. You can even make this into a game - bring some music along and create some riding patterns.
   Your pony is still very young, as he begins to accept that heading out isn't a license to stick his head down and run for it, you can even begin lenthening your canter and then bringing it back - introduce this slowly. If he does go to put his head down, take up one of your reins as close to his mouth as you can reach (and still sit in the saddle) and slowly bring him into a circle.
Although I DO NOT suggest that you introduce any artificial aid without the consultation of a coach or adult - you might consider using a chambon. This is like an over check  which corrects a horse that wants to drop its head. Again- this really needs to be carefully considered and I would only try it within the framework of a lesson, in an arena with a coach present.
This type of behaviour is not uncommon in ponies who are (sometimes unfortunately) very clever.
Best wishes,
S. Evans