Ways to Stop a Runaway Stagecoach

Old western movies make stopping a runaway stagecoach look easy. According to the silver screen, all the driver must do is pull hard on the reigns, engage the breaks and say "whoa." Unfortunately, driving real horses is never so easy. In fact, following Hollywood's example can actually be dangerous in the real world. When faced with the very real danger of a runaway horse and cart, carriage or coach you need a calm, level-headed approach.

  1. What Not to Do with Runaways

    • Contrary to a driver's initial instinct, pulling back hard on the reigns of a runaway team is one of the most dangerous maneuvers. Unlike stopping a single runaway horse, a team involves two or more horses combined with a wheeled vehicle. Pulling hard on the reigns may stop the horses, but the wheels on the vehicle will continue to spin. Such as situation presents more danger than simply letting the horses run. The vehicle can overrun the horses, overturn or even flip when the team stops abruptly.

    Break and Release

    • One method of stopping a runaway stagecoach or other horse-drawn vehicle is to break and release. The goal is to force the team to focus on maintaining their balance. When consistent force is used to pull back on the reigns, the team can actually use the counter force to help maintain balance. By pulling back, releasing and pulling back again in short bursts, the team cannot use reign resistance to maintain balance. Changing pressure forces the team to focus. Gently applying and releasing the breaks on the coach adds additional drag to help slow the team without risking vehicle balance.

    Steer Clear and Ride It Out

    • When spooked or startled, most horses only run a far enough distance to get away from the perceived threat. With teams, one startled horse leads the rest to run as a protective instinct to keep the group safe. Although a team might run farther in panic than a single horse, the added weight of tack and vehicle will tire the team faster than a single horse. It is possible, provided enough open space is available, for the driver to focus on steering the team and vehicle until fatigue sets in and the team slows naturally.

    Stopping from the Ground

    • Where possible, introducing new lead horses to block runaways can slow a stagecoach or other horse-drawn vehicle without damage or injury. Riders on single horses can overtake a runaway vehicle and run along side the team, helping to provide cues both from the rider and the new lead. Horses take cues from each other, as well as humans. As such, a calm horse can help steer and slow a runaway team and vehicle, if managed properly. In such instances, the goal is not necessarily to stop the coach, but to slow and calm the team until the driver regains control.