007 When a Horse Spits the Bit and Runs Off (Part 2) With Ty Van Norman

When a Horse Runs Off — Finding the Answer in the Moment

Good horsemen usually have more than one way to solve a problem.

In fact, the best hands might have 50 different ways to handle the same situation —

even if most days they only use one or two of them.

In this episode of the Ranch Horse Resource Podcast,

Ty and Ronda Van Norman pick up the story of Anna and her horse Scooter,

who had developed a habit of grabbing himself and running off.

Ty shares what happened when he stepped in to ride the horse himself when they were gathering cattle to brand,

how he read the situation as it unfolded,

and the strategies he used to help Scooter find a better answer.

Along the way, this conversation explores timing,

feel, preparation, and why real-life horsemanship rarely happens in perfect conditions.

Because the truth is — horses, like life, don’t always go according to plan.

In This Episode The continuation of Scooter’s story

In Episode 006, Anna told the story of her horse Scooter running off with her.

In this episode, Ty shares the rest of the story —

what happened the next time Scooter took off, and what he felt when he got on the horse himself.

Why good horsemen have many options

A good hand doesn’t rely on just one method.

Different horses, different days, and different situations often require different approaches.

Sometimes the key is simply having another tool in your toolbox.

Reading the warning signs

One of Ty’s guiding ideas is something his grandfather used to say:

“Something always happens before what happens happened”

Learning to feel those early signals can give a rider the chance to step in

before a horse fully commits to the problem.

Timing — the real secret

When Scooter started building up to run off, Ty worked the horse’s balance and feet by picking up on the reins, asking for changes in the hind feet, and releasing pressure the moment the horse slowed down.

The key wasn’t force.

The key was timing.

Why runaway horses are dangerous

Many experienced riders say they would rather sit on a bucking horse than one that runs off with no feel in the bridle.

A horse that shuts his mind off and runs blindly can be one of the most dangerous situations a rider faces.

Preparation before problems

Ty explains that many runaway issues can be prevented with proper early training, including:

• Halter breaking with good feel

• Driving the horse and moving his feet with a flag

• Teaching the horse to follow his nose and soften through his body

These foundation pieces help a horse stay mentally connected when pressure builds.

When groundwork helps

If a horse becomes bracy or dull in the bridle,

groundwork can reveal issues that are harder to feel from the saddle.

Sometimes the answer can be found before you ever swing a leg over.

Physical causes to consider

Training isn’t always the whole story.

Sometimes problems can come from discomfort such as:

• Saddle fit

• Dental issues or wolf teeth

• Chiropractic soreness

• Rib or body misalignment

Good horsemanship means paying attention to the horse’s physical comfort too.

Key Takeaways

• Good horsemen build a toolbox of solutions, not just one method. • Many problems show warning signs before they fully appear. • Timing — knowing when to apply and release pressure — is critical. • Foundation training helps prevent bigger problems later. • When something isn’t working, sometimes the best answer is to change the approach.

Quote From This Episode

“A good horseman might have fifty ways to do something. Most days he might only use one or two — but he’s got the rest if he needs them.”

Join the Conversation

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