Sensitive, hot horse who doesn't take rein aids outdoors

Hi!

How lovely to have such a smart dressage horse 😍🐴

She sounds full of energy, and it sounds as though you are both finding the outdoor arena a bit of a struggle. I think I understand exactly the feeling you describe, of her switching off and running.

My advice is to work on your basic schooling and on the communication between the two of you. Practise transitions between walk and halt, and walk and trot, until you have full control, and only then bring canter into the mix.

Try working her from the ground rather than riding. That way you can coax her and get her listening nicely without sitting on her and perhaps tensing up yourself. Horses really do sense it the instant we tense, and they easily get a little stressed and unresponsive. It may be that you unconsciously expect her to run off from you, and she picks up on that and tenses.

If the corners are where it feels hardest, leave them out at first. Find a "calm zone" in the arena where she listens to you, and ride your corners there. Then gradually move out towards the actual corners once the communication between you is solid. Use cones and poles, both so the exercises happen exactly where you planned and to give her something to focus on. That usually makes horses more supple and attentive.

It may sound a little odd, but it is sometimes easier to ride quickly round a course of jumps than to ride with precision in a completely empty arena. It is often in the most basic exercises, such as riding a corner, that you notice something is not quite working in the basic schooling.

It is also worth having a vet check that she is not sore anywhere and that the saddle fits well.

This will almost certainly take time, and I would encourage you to get help from a trainer you get on with and trust. It is always good to have someone experienced on the ground to support you and offer advice on how to work together.

Good luck, and do ask again so we can help as best we can 🐴😃