I had been away for part of that discussion, and when I read up on it had answered some question privately, nevertheless I was encouraged to share mine still with the list, so here it is:

1. As always, one needs to try VERY HARD not to panic, as panic never helps anything. So keep a cool head if you can.

2. ALWAYS stay in close contact with your horse as you drive, every step of the way under regular conditions, look and think ahead, try to anticipate what's coming and what he might be thinking. Read your horse so that you are actively aware of what is going on in his mind

3. When you do that, then mostly you can be prepared and anticipate him, and just increase your control and contact a little bit where he gets into scary areas to give him the feeling that you are in control and will take care of things.

4. If that should fail and he does try to run, well, if you paid attention then at least it should really never come as a surprise, so then IMMEDIATELY you take control of his head with all you got. I am mentally ready to BREAK his jaw the moment he decides to try to go out of control. I think a runaway is like a brushfire. If you can stop it the moment the first flame shoots up, you can still stomp it out. If you wait 3 seconds, it's out of control. Same here. Folks say, if you can catch the runaway within the first 3 strides, you got him, and won't have a runaway.

5. If all that fails, and he runs and you didn't get him under control the first few strides, then two things must happen:

Now, if we don't have that great luxury of room to run - which mostly we won't have - then we must see what little control we might have, and usually while we might not have enough control to stop, we usually do have a little control to steer, so can influence directions. Again, I try to avoid turns, as with too much speed, they can tip us, but I then I would look for the best possible "roadblock" to steer him into to make him stop. I think best blocks would be some big strong bushes, but if need be perhaps even a big block wall. Most won't run face on into a brick wall. Most will stop before, as long as we can point him straight point blank into it and he can't ditch out to either side. But brace yourself for the abrupt stop!

That's what I would try to do, and of course along the way, when trying to gain control. Yelling whoa usually does not help, as we yell too loud and bring over panic. Speaking calmly whoa would be better, and in the reins, seesaw left and right, and giving again, and then taking back strong again might also help. Not a steady strong pull, they shut that out and go against it, but a quick giving to slack it and then again strong pull, if that didn't help, then a seesaw, strong but quick, left and right. Quick so that they don't take it as a sign to turn, as again, we must avoid quick turns.

I now also read Jeff Morse's very good post (plus others in the meantime). Yes, I agree, and the reply about controlled cantering! Absolutely! Very important to train the horse to canter in harness - and even to gallop! To slowly build up the speed and keeping it under control, and then come back down, all the way to a walk on the long rein afterwards. Or to a halt and stand RELAXED. The more they learn that even galloping is nothing to get mentally bent out of shape, the better.

Mine had the best session with that on the racetrack at Del Mar. Whoohoo, let's go boys and see how fast you really can go. Come on, boys, give me more speed, faster, faster ! Never before had I opened them up that wide! Straight ahead as far as you want to, great footing, safe surroundings, plenty of space. Great fun for all of us, and happy walking on the long rein in between. I think that session built a lot of mutual trust.
Hardy