Bolting horse on a fun ride.

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Beccahh

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Heyy
Im hoping someone can give me some tips or help ...
I own a fantastic welsh gelding who iv owned for 5years he was sold to me as perfect in all ways (that he is) however his down fall is sometimes out of nowhere he will bolt i was told this when i brought him and his hacking is not brilliant tends to try to get everywhere fast i decided i can work with this and we have made a improvement we had him vetted when i brought him and nothing came up that would cause him to bolt all his tack fits.The improvement has been in the last 6months we can only hack with calm horses as he bounces off the other horse hes also for some reason a saint when with a mare hes not spooky and he my instructer observed that he tends to run of in the school if he gets bored of the same thing he likes to be active.Im not making excuses he should not be allowed to bolt and he hasnt in about 4months (it did a one point get so bad i wouldnt get on as he would just run)
I am of to marbury farm ride on the 1st of april with a friend that hacks with me all the time our horses are stabled next to each other and are very good in each others company.
Im worried though that if someone gallops past hes going to race or hes just going to bolt and i wont be able to stop
Hes fine at shows and xc training away from home
Does anyone have any tips that i could use incase something like this happens or am i worring over nothing?
I really dont want to have to limit myself to not going on fun rides as i think it would do him good not just to be worked alll the time when we go out.
 
Have you tried bitting up? I had a mare who if anything so much as trotted past her on a rifeout she was off at the gallop, even on the roads, she ended up on a tomthumb and it worked a treat :)

You might just have to go last on the fun ride and if anything comes just turn a tight circle intil its out of sight.
 
amymay said:
Does he actually bolt, or is he just pishing off???
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This

Doesn't sound like he's properly bolting to me, more like just taking off, a horse bolting is doing so in complete panic, whether scared, pain or something else but it that situation they have no self preservation and i wouldnt even consider riding one never mind taking it on a fun ride!
 
maxine1985 said:
This

Doesn't sound like he's properly bolting to me, more like just taking off, a horse bolting is doing so in complete panic, whether scared, pain or something else but it that situation they have no self preservation and i wouldnt even consider riding one never mind taking it on a fun ride!
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This
 
amymay said:
Does he actually bolt, or is he just pishing off???
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There is a HUGE difference between bolting and just being a b*gger. Those who have experienced true bolting will know the difference!

Having just done my first fun ride they are NOTHING like riding a normal x country course or hacking in a group. Yes they are fun but also have the possibility of blowing your horses brain! ;) My mare has evented all her life and is as good as gold...But wow, the fun ride was an experience!!!
 
Gosh, guys. So much pouncing on the choice of words and so few constructive suggestions.

OP have you tried getting the nice calm horses he hacks well with to do things like overtaking, going ahead, getting behind, different gait to him etc.?

I probably wouldn't fun ride until he was hacking calmly with any sort of company I could find but I'm a wimp about horses that **** off without my permission.
 
Maby he is just running of but what ever way its looked at him running off and refusing to stop still worries me haha
I rode a pony years ago that ran off i was told to turn it in a tight circle and he fell on top of me so i dont really like that idea.
so change the question what do i do to stop a horse who turns into a racehorse when someone canters past?
:D
 
Yeah hes had the horse he going on funride with trot in front and hes been made to stay at the back and hes fine
Nothing he does is due to him getting scared or is there anything like a lead up to it just all of a sudden hes gone
 
AnneCam said:
Gosh, guys. So much pouncing on the choice of words and so few constructive suggestions.

OP have you tried getting the nice calm horses he hacks well with to do things like overtaking, going ahead, getting behind, different gait to him etc.?

I probably wouldn't fun ride until he was hacking calmly with any sort of company I could find but I'm a wimp about horses that **** off without my permission.
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Erm, if people can't clarify what is actually happening then how can they give constructive advice? My advice to a the rider of a bolter wouldn't be the same as to the rider of a 'pisher offa' and so it helps to really understand what is happening. So many people say that their horse bolts when in fact it gets strong and runs off pretty quick and is hard to stop, that isn't bolting.

So, I can see why people sought to clarify. Your advice about hacking in calm company would mean ****** all to a bolter :p
 
Is this a farm ride, where you all go round individually or an organised fun ride?

Either way in theory, and polite circles, nobody should be cantering past you without first asking you if this is ok, you say no and they should walk or trot past. The fun rides I've been on groups are started at intervals so again there shouldn't be too much flying around past you....if you think that it might be more of an everyone charging off together, then to be honest if it was me I'd be asking myself if I want to risk undoing all the good work if I'm not convinced he can cope, and maybe go back to doing fast rides with a group you can trust to help you control the situations or if you really want to go stick a pelham or gag in (depending on what he does when he ******s off, as he's Welsh I'm guessing he sticks his head down and puts his neck into it) and start doing some power lifting!
 
If you can make a decision as to whether he is bolting or just being a monkey it will be much easier to sort/avoid this.

If you think it is just bad behavior perhaps get advice on bitting. And maybe decide where he is better in a group when hacking, eg better at front of group.

Also make sure you hack out with people that you trust to listen to you if you become worried, help if you get in a pickle and that can stop their horses if need be. And NOT people that will be irresponsible and charge past you etc!
 
OP there is a HUGE difference between bolting and peeping off so other posters were not being obstructive ;-)

I feel for you ... my mare, absolute saint in every way - took her hunting. Stood like lamb at the meet but 1st field and then wood off she went and there was no way I was going to stop her! Very very frightening!

Basically I have schooled and schooled and schooled her but would never trust her again out hunting and defo not a fun ride where you have no control on other idiots around you. At least out hunting MOST people behave themselves and will assist if you are in trouble! You probably need to find a bit that will stop him and also look into a grackle or drop noseband. Find out how exactly he is evading ie locking jaw, dropping behind contact, opening mouth or all of the above! and act on this information. The noseband is as important as the bit!

Oh and get the teeth checked if you have not done so already.
 
What tack do you use? I did my first fun ride (ever) on one of mine in a treeless saddle and a snaffle, and thankfully lived to tell the tale. He "Pished off" with meat one point - I didn't even know he could GO that fast, especially down hill:eek::eek::eek: It was all pretty terrifying and if I'd known the way back I'd have baled out and found an alternative route back to my trailer, but I didn't, and I was on my own, so I had to stick to the whole 10 mile route - god, was I ever glad to see the finish point!!?

So next time we went in a western saddle and a curb bit, and that was MUCH better. Not perfect, but at least I didn't have to change my trousers when I got home:D
 
i dont want to cause a argument i was always under the impression he bolts as thats what they said when the sold him.
Yes he will either stick is neck down and go solid its like trying to stop a train or his head goes up and neck is solid again haha
By all accounts you pay then go round not in a big group theres jumps im hoping people ask if they can pass but from expriance theres always someone who just canters past from nowhere haha
will see if the local bit lady has any ideas
Please note i can ride horses that bolt rear buck .. infact if you stay on they rear up and go over ... my 26year old does all that and trust me thats reallll bolting its like blind panic(ignor the pun as he is now missing a eye!) it actually got so bad that i was eventually banned from getting on him ever again.
So please im not a complete novice ... also not a pro in any stretch haha.
 
So he doesn't bolt then... he just runs off with you?

Tbh I don't think I'd really be taking either on a fun ride. The first - way to dangerous. The second - not until brakes etc are sorted out.
 
OP, we are only trying to help, you asked for help, we try to give it ...

This not bolting - whoever told you so was wrong, sorry but that's it basically.

This is buggrong off!

Fun rides are NOT fun if you cannot control your horse - and no not everyone behaves themselves so personally I wouldn't take the risk unless I was absolutely 100% that I had brakes.
 
I'm another who hears someone say their horse bolts and thinks 'well why the HELL are you riding it?' but I know what you mean now. I saw an advert describing a horse that bolts and had to clarify, might as well put a big black cross on the horse's face!

I really think you should do some practise in company as much as possible, if you can get together a gang and do things such as getting them to trot past you while you walk, etc. Also I would probably use a different bit and noseband combo for extra breaks but make sure you give it a good trial on a hack before you go to see if it a) works and b) does not make the horse freak out and run away from it! My friend uses a kineton noseband on tanker-offers with good results.

When you hack do you have large open spaces? I find a bit of transitions within the pace works well for horses that think any upwards transition = gallop, and I make sure they don't just slow down when they want to either, sometimes it's just a relief when they start to slow up but I find making them keep on for just a few more strides and practising feeling confident rather than 'oh god this is too fast' at that pace helps.
 
He is tanking OP not bolting, big big difference.

I am not one for saying use a stronger bit, but in this instance I am. What is he currently in OP? What noseband also?
 
I would practise riding this horse in lots of different reliable company before considering taking it anywhere where the unexpected can almost be guaranteed. I would plan this event for the end of the sumer and spend the time before preparing for it, until I was pretty sure that I would be able to control the horse, even if an unknown horse cantered past.
A change of bit could be very useful, I'd go for something with a curb rein.
 
I think if you've ever been truly bolted with you'll know why we like using the correct words.

I've seen a few people being ******ed off with and always notice the following. Get very tense in anticipation of what can happen before it does and then when it does either sitting like a tense boiled egg or they totally over react. Both of which says go faster to horsie.

I'm talking from experience. I had a major crash after a horse actually bolted with me. But since I made a living riding I really had to find a way around my panic. My tenseness and worries were transferred to the horse all the time. I was anticipating that one stride when it all spirals out of control. It took me ages for me to get right mentally. Once I was I was back to being a rider again. The next time I was bolted with I was much calmer. Knew what was happening and knew it probably wouldn't have a good ending as horse was heading for a chain link fence. I had nothing in my hands. No feel no response the horse knew I was there. So I bailed. My neck is a disaster since that day. However, when I looked up horse had ran smack into fence. Impact would have thrown me into a parking lot. Horse got up ran off, tried to jump a fence, flipped over it, and got back to the barn without a scratch. That never affected my confidence for some reason. While never truly bolted with again I had racehorses on the track that decided to p off. You will never pull one up when they do this. So mostly I'd just drop the reins on their neck and wait it out. It's a big oval. If I kept calm then they'd stay calm although going fast I wasn't giving them a fright on their back to run from. I remember one day at Santa Anita breezing a filly. I was told not to pick up the reins after the breeze or she would go straight to the outside. Ok fine. Sure enough after breeze she's not really wanting to slow down. Try my reins, nope that won't work. Ok just keep going don't panic. Tried again and again subtly. Finally after 2 miles she pulled up. But I learned a little something about her that day and the next breeze I was able to get her pulled up. She also in turn learned I wasn't going to get her all flustered either. So I was paired with her for the winter.

The problem with all info like "one rein stops" and little tricks is that you really need to know about leverage, what you're on, and you have to try and get yourself out of panic. While most horses are just ******ing off that isn't going to make you feel better about what's happening. In the arena it's pretty safe and easy to calm yourself. On a road, not so much. So if I were you before the charity ride I wouldn't be thinking about a defense, I'd be thinking about a good offense. I personally can't really give you too much advice because I don't know you or your horse. And because its the Internet and the words "don't try this at home" spring to mind.

I hope it all goes ok for you.

Terri
 
I don't know why everyone is jumping on the OP for saying that he bolts and now when she comes back and does clarify acting like she's been rude or not accepting help. Never got that tone from her posts :confused: many people say a horse is bolting when truly it's taking off so it's a common misconception and there's no need to get up on your high horse about it now that she's confirmed the horse isn't actually bolting. There's too much of that on this forum. I know I'm relatively new to HHO but I'm very put off by the speed at which posters seem to get heated and defensive. Makes you scared to say a thing which is a shame because there's actually some very knowledgable users with lots of great ideas and advice. I just too frequently find myself wishing everyone would calm down haha! Not wanting to hijack this thread or cause any offence whatsoever - just don't want to feel put off coming on here because I'm tired of reading arguments.

OP - I have ridden many horses who become unstoppable tanks at the drop of a hat. As other posts have already commented I would suggest with the help of your instructor looking into changing his bit and would also agree with others about having a check of his teeth done.

The other thing I would suggest, which will probably not help you with this fun ride but may in the future is to look at the way you ride him when he takes off. Do you lock your elbows and engage in a tug-of-war? If so you will never win haha! Even with a strong bit hauling is not necessary effective. I used to ride a horse who actually bent his bit when he took off and I hauled :eek: I would suggest riding using your entire body. You can work on learning to stop him by solidifying your core and halting your own body which should slow his down. I'm probably not explaining this very well, but if you can strengthen your core and back muscles you can sit deep into the saddle, wrap your legs around and literally create a block which arrests the movement of the horse.

So .... what I'm trying to say is that if you tense your arms and lock your elbows but your body continues to follow his movement he will simply lock his neck and jaw and plough on. If you can learn to engage your core muscles and seat and block his movement you'll have a better chance of stopping. I really hope that makes sense? I used this method on a welsh mare who was awful for taking off even in the school, I could feel it coming on and held her back by using my body to prevent rather than hands after the fact. On one occasion I literally had her cantering on the spot but she could not power forward.

Circles work well but not tight circles because as you say the horse can indeed fall. But even getting him on a fairly large circle as opposed to a high speed straight line should encourage him to begin listening to you again and will slow the movement naturally.
 
Orls said:
I don't know why everyone is jumping on the OP for saying that he bolts and now when she comes back and does clarify acting like she's been rude or not accepting help. Never got that tone from her posts :confused: many people say a horse is bolting when truly it's taking off so it's a common misconception and there's no need to get up on your high horse about it now that she's confirmed the horse isn't actually bolting. There's too much of that on this forum. I know I'm relatively new to HHO but I'm very put off by the speed at which posters seem to get heated and defensive. Makes you scared to say a thing which is a shame because there's actually some very knowledgable users with lots of great ideas and advice. I just too frequently find myself wishing everyone would calm down haha! Not wanting to hijack this thread or cause any offence whatsoever - just don't want to feel put off coming on here because I'm tired of reading arguments.

OP - I have ridden many horses who become unstoppable tanks at the drop of a hat. As other posts have already commented I would suggest with the help of your instructor looking into changing his bit and would also agree with others about having a check of his teeth done.

The other thing I would suggest, which will probably not help you with this fun ride but may in the future is to look at the way you ride him when he takes off. Do you lock your elbows and engage in a tug-of-war? If so you will never win haha! Even with a strong bit hauling is not necessary effective. I used to ride a horse who actually bent his bit when he took off and I hauled :eek: I would suggest riding using your entire body. You can work on learning to stop him by solidifying your core and halting your own body which should slow his down. I'm probably not explaining this very well, but if you can strengthen your core and back muscles you can sit deep into the saddle, wrap your legs around and literally create a block which arrests the movement of the horse.

So .... what I'm trying to say is that if you tense your arms and lock your elbows but your body continues to follow his movement he will simply lock his neck and jaw and plough on. If you can learn to engage your core muscles and seat and block his movement you'll have a better chance of stopping. I really hope that makes sense? I used this method on a welsh mare who was awful for taking off even in the school, I could feel it coming on and held her back by using my body to prevent rather than hands after the fact. On one occasion I literally had her cantering on the spot but she could not power forward.

Circles work well but not tight circles because as you say the horse can indeed fall. But even getting him on a fairly large circle as opposed to a high speed straight line should encourage him to begin listening to you again and will slow the movement naturally.
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I think because the majorty of posters would give different advice if the Horse were a bolter, mine would certainly be different to the above advice I have just given. Just trying to clarify what the Horse actually does.
 
LaurenBay said:
I think because the majorty of posters would give different advice if the Horse were a bolter, mine would certainly be different to the above advice I have just given. Just trying to clarify what the Horse actually does.
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Of course I would give different advice if the horse were a bolter :confused: but the OP came back and said that thinking on it the horse was taking off with her, not bolting. That's the way I read it anyway.
 
OP you have been given suggestions, stick summat stronger in his gob like a waterford that he can't lean on and that you can get his attention with. When my boy was young he liked to pi$$ off at rideouts and a dr bristol with a flash soon stopped that behaviour, he had a pretty sore gob that day and learned I'm not entertaining it.
 
many people say a horse is bolting when truly it's taking off so it's a common misconception and there's no need to get up on your high horse about it now that she's confirmed the horse isn't actually bolting.
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I'm not sure anyone has got on their 'high horse' about anything. Posters were seeking clarification, and now it's been confirmed that the horse is in fact strong, and ******s off. As for it being a common misconception - it may be amongst those who don't know any better, which is why it's important to establish what the horse is actually doing in order to help the op.

There's too much of that on this forum.
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There are of course plenty of other forums around where less informed people can post, especially if they have no desire to improve their knowlege, management or expertise.......
 
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