bolting problems

hey there all.
i have just been given a new challenge at my yard and its a beautiful bay who if he decides that you have to much contact on him he takes off.......
so how do i get on him and start on the right leg so to speak?


now i ride very light handed which is why i get the problem horses, do you think maybe a bitless bridle might help?
any ideas?
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If it bolts and has had all the usual checks done then the horse is dangerous and a bullet is probably the safest option for all concened.
 
I'd do the usual, back, teeth, saddle, bit etc then try bitless if nothings wrong (in the safty of a school or small enclosed field) If nothings wrong maybe he's telling you he wants to be a western horse.... lol
 
Yes, it very much depends on if this horse is bolting or taking off as they are very different things!

If bolting, I would not shoot the horse like WCCHIC is so quick to advise. I would certainly get very possible check done and then try and work out exactly whats going on with the horse. Even a nasty horse wouldn't bolt (they might well take off though) out of naughtiness as bolting only happens if the horse in in a shear panic where he couldn't care for his own safety.
 
Genuine bolters are quite rare but WCCHIC is right a bullet is the only option. On a more optimistic note it is as likley that its a problem you can sort out. Untill you know that the horse is improved, do not set him up to fail and don't put yourself at risk (ie narrow lanes/busy roads). I'd try a safe place and give it more rein. Risky, but it sounds like the horse has had his head yoked back too far and running off is now his escape route. Not sure about bitless bridles as its not something i'm into. Good luck!
 
Oh my gosh i can't believe you recommend someone has there horse shot coz it has behavioural problems, it will have problems for a reason and should be reschooled by a professional.
Even if its deemed unrideable why does that mean it has to be shot, would you do the same if you had to retire your elderly horse ???????
 
Yes I'd have an elderly horse shot, or a horse that was likely to kill a person. I also disagree with people who say taking off is not bolting. Is rearing without going vertical not rearing? To me bolting is running away from the riders aids to stop - being out of control. Yes some bolters are inclined to run into/through things or jump over things etc, this is bolting in its most dangerous form, and where the horse has totally lost it. My horse bolts - but its a much more systematic habit, she's strange but not so off the planet she'd crash through something. Yet when she goes there's not a hope in hell of stopping or steering until she's got the bolt out of her system. A runaway horse is a bolter - some just have better self preservation than others and differing under-lying causes.
 
I have had two bolters in the past. Both were utterly crazed when they took off and were unstoppable and would crash into anything, one fell on the road the other jumped endless hedges until it lost its rider and then continued on for miles.
Both had all the usual vet,teeth,back checks and vet said nothing wrong with either horses. one was a very athletic 5 y.o. TB/NF.
Both were incurable bolters and the second one was a rearer too. Both were likely to kill a person and I think I should have had them put down.
Unfortunately, for the two horses, friends offered to take them, so I copped out, but both the horses remained the same and caused a lot of human injuries before being sold on again.
I've never known a horse that bolts like that to be cured -does anyone?
Bullet is the kindest thing.
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ok thats my fault i did not explain myself.
he takes off now he does have a few issues he has been hit by a car and maybe ridden too tight.
as to the issue about putting a horse down i think it depends on the situation every horse has problems just depends if you try everything.
I am one of those annoying people that blame the rider not the horse maybe thats why i get the naughty ones.
 
aaaah, poor thing...

turn it out, practice Parelli on it for 3 yrs...then when it's totally f****d up, pop it on Project Horses as "mis-understood" who "needs a chance"...

if that fails have it PTS
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Just don't think anyone should be so quick to put a horse down, managed to find my unrideable mare a home as a companion and i would have kept her as long as necessary if i hadn't, I certainly wouldn't put a healthy, happy elderly horse down just because i couldn't ride it anymore.
The horse is'nt bolting because it's evil, its most probally through fear, confusion or undetected pain therefore, i think it should be started again by a professional or at least try to advertise it as a companion if it is good on the ground.
 
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Yes I'd have an elderly horse shot, or a horse that was likely to kill a person. I also disagree with people who say taking off is not bolting. Is rearing without going vertical not rearing? To me bolting is running away from the riders aids to stop - being out of control. Yes some bolters are inclined to run into/through things or jump over things etc, this is bolting in its most dangerous form, and where the horse has totally lost it. My horse bolts - but its a much more systematic habit, she's strange but not so off the planet she'd crash through something. Yet when she goes there's not a hope in hell of stopping or steering until she's got the bolt out of her system. A runaway horse is a bolter - some just have better self preservation than others and differing under-lying causes.

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I found this definition which may help you understand the difference between bolting and a horse simply taking off with the rider.

"The bolting horse takes off at the canter (or even gallops) without control while leaning extremely heavily on the reins. It is a dangerous defense and it's difficult to deal with it. It can result form fear, excessive excitement or pain. The 'bolting" horse looses his head, does not control himself anymore… great danger.

The horse who "takes the rider with him", decides to take the canter on his own… controls himself perfectly and dominates the rider. It is annoying but not really dangerous if the rider knows how to stay in the saddle. "

I suspect that most people have experienced the latter, and VERY few the former. If you have experienced a horse bolting, you would understand how dangerous the situation is.

How many novice horseriders regale you with tales on how their horse "bolted" with them on their first hack. Absolute rubbish.

If you have a horse that bolts, I very much hope you do not sell it on to an unsuspecting person. I also hope that it does not run in front of a car or through bystanders and cause injury to innocent people.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The 'bolting" horse looses his head, does not control himself anymore… great danger.

The horse who "takes the rider with him", decides to take the canter on his own… controls himself perfectly and dominates the rider. It is annoying but not really dangerous if the rider knows how to stay in the saddle. "

I suspect that most people have experienced the latter, and VERY few the former. If you have experienced a horse bolting, you would understand how dangerous the situation is.

If you have a horse that bolts, I very much hope you do not sell it on to an unsuspecting person. I also hope that it does not run in front of a car or through bystanders and cause injury to innocent people.

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My horse is clearly between the two and I mantain that a habitual bolter can be very much in control of its own actions - as can a habitual rearer - yet be totally out of the rider's control, but I agree that a horse who has lost all self-awareness is more terrifying and dangerous.

I am the unsuspecting person who was sold the bolter for far too much money, I'm glad you think that now my life is less valuble than some future person I could do the same thing to.
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It OK, I happen to agree that now it is my problem, all be it one I didn't deserve or take on knowingly. Besides, now I know the horse is balanced and self-aware enough not to break her own neck it is a question of staying with her while she runs. She's more of a danger to other people riding. She isn't hacked out.
 
Was it your horse that had an ovarian cyst problem - wonder whether her behaviour is anything to do with that?

I think anyone who knowingly sells on a dangerous horse is wrong - the people who sold your horse to you were fortunate that you have not suffered injury due to their actions.
 
No, I've had her ovaries scanned and spinal x-rays done. The behaviour pattern does indicate pain - when she's done the crazed laps of the school she's reluctant to go forward. She does have recurrent corns even in heart bars, particularly on one heel and I've finally got a referral to Sue Dyson because of this - hopefully she'll find out whats going on with the horse.
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so i rode the horse that started this all today for the first time. he was totally shocked that he had a long rein. so he did about 7 laps of the arena in canter and then he started to relax.
did not do much kept it very quiet to get him use to me and he was defo more relaxed by the end.
well it could not have been that bad i am going back for more tomorrow.
still would like some feed back on how to get him to relax to start with.
 
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