Anxious Horse

Question
I have a 5yr old mare, who was barely broken western, and just used for games. I purchased her as my first project horse. I am in school for Equine science, breaking and training, but my girl Ruby is tough. She gets very anxious, she doesnt stand still, doesnt walk, only canters and gallops. I see that she loves to run and want to reward her with things that she likes, but she needs to know when I say its ok and when its not. I am switching her from cutting/gaming horse, to a hunter jumper (she has the pedigree and the talent). She loves jumping, but I need her to learn the basics before we get into the fun stuff.
The things i want her to learn are staying straight down the quarter line (she doesnt know what to do with her hind end), extending her stride instead of speeding up, and to just relax in the ring (she thinks RUN, GO, GIDDYUP!!!).

Do you have any advice for me? I can give more details if you require it.

Answer
Hi Madelyn,
If I could answer your question directly I could train horses and people while sitting at my computer, I have not figured that one out yet. That being said it sounds like you work with horses and know about them, lets see things from your horses point of view. Gaming can be fast moving so imagine if that is what you do with her often, without quiet walks on the trail, every time she sees you she starts getting geared up. Even when you groom her she is probably wiggling around wondering when she is going to get to running, then when you get on she make start to dance around and you hold her back but eventually its time for her to go so you say go. Maybe it does not make sense to her, sometimes she gets pulled back for a while but then she is told to go. Here is the one thing I would do, on the ground first is great but we will talk about riding. On a day when you have hours of time once you are on start by asking her to take one step back, when she backs GIVE SLACK ON THE REINS AND WAIT!!! She will most likely move forward or sideways ask her to back again, when she takes ONE step give slack!! This will go on for what feels like an eternity. You are trying to teach her that when you give on the reins and she stays standing still you JUST sit there and don't do anything. You are trying to show her that your reins can mean "get ready and WAIT" and then leave her alone. Work on this and once you get this going for you let me know if you run into any of your other problems.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress