Running out to the left

[sometime]

pony seems to love jumping but if something is a bit more challenging he runs through his shoulder and goes out the left side of the jump always the left and will hurt himself on the wing rather than go straight x country will even run into a tree rather than go straight. What schooling method would you use to counteract this going left
He doesnt do it over lower or plain fences just over jazzy fillers or mutliple fences

[GinaGeo]

First of all I'd be carrying a jumping stick/baton in my left hand and I would use it on the shoulder if it started to dirft. It's the only time I use a stick in front of the leg, and it can be very useful to straighten them up. I'd also open my right hand on the approach and really keep him wrapped around my left leg to keep the shoulder where you want it.

If he tried to run out I'd pull him up dead, and make him turn right, back to the fence and then have him stand for a moment to recompose yourselves, if the fences are small enough then request he jump it from a standstill, just make sure you give him plenty of rein and grab a handful of mane if need be, don't want to sock him in the teeth when he's done as you've asked! Don't turn him left as that's the way he chose to go, he has to do what you want. With a horse that's learnt there's an exit route at a fence you have to keep the door closed at all times, give them an opportunity and they'll take it with both hands.

On the flat I'd practise the lateral work, really get him off my leg and practise keeping him up to the bridle. On the approach to a fence ride positively, obviously too much canter and it gives them an excuse to run through their shoulder, but too little and they won't have the omph to get over it.

Obviously, make sure there isn't a source of pain that could be leading to the problem. And make sure you're not giving him an excuse to do it, ride every single stride into a fence and always, always keep on kicking.

My first pony had a dirty runout, took me years to get the problem sorted properly - hers was over fillers - or to the second part of a double. By the time I'd got it sorted and learnt to ride her I was too big for her. She used to put her head down, open her mouth, and shoulder barge out to the right. I was a weedy child and was ill able to do much about it at first - once I started riding her and calling the shots myself instead of letting her do it we were unbeatable - until my feet started knocking down the poles that is! She taught me some valuable lessons though, that have really set me up for riding other horses.

I' also look into using a bit with some sort of cheek, so it doesn't get pulled through the mouth when having the battle of wills. A fulmer would be ideal.

[rightrein92]

Great advice as above , just remember to keep your leg on and keep your right rein tight while sitting deep and driving forward into a jump mayby jumping some lower fences that he can take from a trot will give you more control and hance to keep him going into the fence if he does go to run out xx

[sometime]

He is in a fulmer french link as I was concerned about the bit going through his mouth but will try those schooling techniques over some scary thing that are not very high that way he can jump from a standstill. I never turn a horse away from a fence even if I have to demolish it in front of them to make it jumpable from a standstill. Not sure where this coming from as he was very straight and good until he learned this trick a couple of weeks ago
thank you for your help

[GinaGeo]

Once they learn something it can be a bugger to get them of it! Sounds like you're on the right track though. Might be worth using a pole propped on the jump to help you keep him straight to start with at scary fences so the option is removed from him.

[baggygirl]

Or if he is running out to the left real bad, then you might want to try a 'brush guard' on the left, it attaches to the bit like a normal bit guard but it actually got bristles on them, but you only use it on the side that your horse runs out to. Mary King had this on some of her strong horses to keep them straight.

[pipandwill]

Put 'V's' on the fences, on both sides put a pole in a v shape, dont do it straight away so they touch, leave a reasonable space, keep your legs wrapped round, hands up, at the moment just focus on getting him over the fences rather than trying to be stylish, that can be worked on later after he's got out of the habit of running out.
Good luck xx