Bolting

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b34thomasevans

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Hi all,

My horse is being a handfull at the moment because she keeps bolting, and even when you put her into a canter she wont stop, she is becoming a real danger as she has ridden into trees whilst a rider is on top of her, she is ridden in a standard bridle with a market harbourugh martingale and d ring snaffle bit with coper rollers, can anyone recommend a piece of tack or a different bit which may help me control her as you can pull on the bit as hard as you can but she just keeps going.

Many thanks,

Tom
 
Maybe try working on her flatwork a lot more as if you can get her into a good outline etc she may be easier to control.

Is she ridden very regularly? Could it be excess energy/freshness that's causing it if she's not doing a lot of regular work? I often find the fitter they are the better behaved they are! But difficult if she's scaring people like that!! Maybe give her a few weeks of only walk and trot and see if she's better at the end of it!?
 
we have tried only doing walk and trot for a week and shes fine doing that but when we cantered she just went for it again, ridden every day, fed not very much, another note, shes fine going away from home but when she faces her stable she just goes!
 
hmmm - such a difficult one. The only other thing I could think of is draw reins, maybe try schooling in them first so she gets used to them then try them on a hack, but I would only go there as a very last resort - I hate to recommend them as I'm not a fan at all!! But that way you would be able to keep the outline and therefore probably control her.

"How" does she bolt head up or down near ground, does she cross jaw, go hard on the bit etc etc?? Maybe some other kind of tack could help. Like a drop/flash noseband so she can't open her mouth to resist bit etc.

Or maybe just no cantering towards home ever - only away from it!!??
 
Brain scan?
frown.gif
 
If she's truly bolting then you've got a real problem & I'd suggest full vet check & then enlist professional help from someone who specialises in this problem. Bolters are dangerous & don;t do it for no reason.

If, however, she's overfresh & being strong/running away then reasses her diet, turnout & work. Maye get some lessons on her or try a better rider (not being rude!).
 
There's a humungus difference between a horse bolting and one that just takes over and runs off with you. Sometimes it's very easy to confuse the two. A truly bolting horse is running blind from terror. I'd get a very experienced trainer to ride the horse or watch her ridden and observe the behaviour. If it's true bolting you need to stop riding her while you get to the bottom of it. Even though you haven't found the answer yet, the horse is trying to tell you something. It's the owner's responsibility to find out what it is. If she's just taking over and running off, you might need expert help in all areas, ie schooling, tack, feed, management etc. Good luck!
 
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