A fresh mustang

Question
I have a 15year old mustang. I live in MA and I got her from Arizona 2 years ago. My 12 year old daughter shows her at the walk/trot and has been very successful with that. She rides english, western, cross ties, loads, bathes,great for the farrier and vet, jumps, you name it, she does it. So whats the problem, she doesn't get canter. I have had her in extensive training with a fantastic trainer who gets her to collect her canter in the ring, correct leads all the time. But when I have her out on the trail its all about speed. I have tried her on a pelham, snaffle and a kimberwick out there and I might as well have air in her mouth. She just want's to run, and of course be in front of everyone else. She doesnt get whoa and pulling on her mouth just puts her into turbo mode. We need a solution because we both love this horse beyond reason. She makes every stress go away and has the kindest eye I have ever seen on a horse. Help!!!

Answer
Sally -

That is actually not an uncommon problem.  My advice may sound slightly odd but I find it to gets the best results.  

If she wants to run - let her run.  As long as you feel comfortable, push her forward to run.  Run her until she doesn't want to run anymore, and then run her some more.  The idea is to say, "Okay, you want to run, we'll run, but we will run until I decide it is time to stop."  I have found that two sessions like that put an end to that uncontrollable canter better than anything else.  The horse decides it is best to go at whatever speed you ask because everything else is a lot of work.

If you don't want to do that, I would recommend either a bosal or having a halter in conjunction with the bit to stop the horse.  Both a bosal and halter will pull the horses nose down and into the chest making it very difficult to move forward at high speeds.  

If the area you live in is suitable, a soft ground (the kind that the horse sinks in about 6 inches or so) or snow will make the horse slow up at the canter.  If they sink down a few inches, they have to spend all their energy bringing their feet up rather than stretching out and picking up speed.

I know those ideas sound very odd - but in the wide open I have found them to work the best.  

Best of Luck!

Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs