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skydancer

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hi
I dont know if im in correct forum as im new on her - hi guys!

Please help! I have a 12 year old Irish Draught, she is an ex hunter capable of county level cross country and showjumping. Unfortunately i am on the verge of retiring her as she is a true bolter! I have had her for almost two years and she has done this twice. The last time was on Sunday just gone and we were just walking along a field opp our yard and it was like someone just flicked a switch and she galloped all the way home. I tried everything but she was like a concrete giraffe and ignored everything i did. Now my only option is to retire her as i consider this too dangerous cant pts and cant sell ( i have a conscience). Does anybody else have any ideas:confused: as i am running out! Many thanks xx
 
im sorry to hear this the sensation of being bolted with is not nice!! If you can afford to retire I would if not I would personally pts I wouldnt sell her on as you dont want someone else to be lumbered with the problem. Is there a possible reason for it? Or is she just being a totaly madam?
 
I wouldnt retire her at 12 TBH. I dont think twice in 2 years is a regular thing. I appreciate its scary, but maybe shes just not in the job she enjoys. You could sell her as a hunter, where she might be happier working in lots of company. But be completely honest. There will be an experienced home for her somewhere.
 
Hi, no there is no reason for it she didnt spook or anthing all teeth back saddle and feet etc are done on a regular basis . Cant really afford to keep her as a pet but cant pts either wouldnt dream of passing her on - far to dangerous xx;)
 
Many thanks - i could sell her to a hunting home but would really worry if something happened and of course where she would end up - iam really stuck ! it is so sad to think of her stuck in a field for the next 18 years ( she will prob enjoy it tho) she really is beautiful girl.:(
 
Hi Naza

No, i just wanted to hack her as i think she has been thrashed in the past. However, i think a hunting home would be a good idea as she is very fast and very strong - maybe a blokes hunt? :)
 
What time of year was it when she bolted with you the first time? I am just thinking that had it been around the same time, it could be something to do with her starting her seasons etc.
I would probably concerntrate on her schooling, and really practice the transitions, especially downwards ones. then if you want to hack out if you can go with a real dope on the rope. Please get her back, tack and teeth etc checked, as this bolting could be her way of saying something is up.
 
twice in 2 years ! I don't want to belittle you as I am sure you were afraid but could it just be that she was in a situation where she was frightened ? were you hacking alone - how much feed does she get - how much work is she in ?

Are there simalarities between the 2 situations she has been in when she has bolted

Just seen you above post - sounds like the can of horse that could do with some more work to me ! Perhaps a blokes hunt yes - If I saw a horse that was capable of all that yet it had bolted twice in 2 years, honestly I would take it on. Sometimes we have to admit that we are out/ over horse'd but that doesn't necessarily mean that horse needs to be put to sleep !
 
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Have had everything checked and everything fine agree twice in two years is not regular but it is how she does it. no warning signs, no reaction to aids just dead set and gallop til she gets home. If you fall off she doesnt stop just carries on back to the yeard.I do believe that if there was a car coming she would run thru it x:o
 
:):)She is on forage diet - luckily she doesnt frighten me but it is the people around her traffic etc i am worried for - no there was nothing to frighten her but yes both times she has been alone
 
skydancer said:
Hi Naza

No, i just wanted to hack her as i think she has been thrashed in the past. However, i think a hunting home would be a good idea as she is very fast and very strong - maybe a blokes hunt? :)
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I know plenty of people who dont enjoy hacking either, but they dont retire from riding. They just school, or showjump etc. Why not just turn her away for summer, or just use her for schooling. Then contact the local hunts. Offer her as a free loan for a season (again, being totally honest) and see if she enjoys the job. Be totally honest that you expect to sell her the following season, and she would probably find an owner through the hunt if she is as good as you say she is.

I know its a long term plan, but you are doing the right thing to be cautious about passing her on.
 
Contrary to most other replies if she truly bolts I think the only responsible thing to do is to retire her.

Before you do it might be worth getting a vet out to give her a full check up and also check her ovaries to see if she has any issues that have been missed so far.
 
skydancer said:
:):)She is on forage diet - luckily she doesnt frighten me but it is the people around her traffic etc i am worried for - no there was nothing to frighten her but yes both times she has been alone
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My old girl hunted form a very young age ! She was very good at her job and got comments galore on the hunting field - can I get her to hack out on her own NO ! I just don't put her in that position anymore. If you just want a hacker thats what you need to get

otherwise she sounds like a talented lady, get out and do a bit with her. Fun rides and farm rides where she can feel the wind in her hair but you don't need to bomb all the way round ! She'll thank you for it and you'll have fun too! + no traffic to worry about
 
I've been tanked off with loads of times, but only bolted with once. After having the experience of galloping flat out down a steep road, head on at a car, (missed by about an inch) I would say not to pass her on, even if you're honest and give her away free, as you don't know where she'll end up.

I think maybe loan her as a gentleman's hunter. To be honest, true bolting is terrifying, and so so dangerous, that I would be tempted to retire her.
 
Options..

1) Stay in arenas, ideally indoors.
2) Loan or sell disclosing the problem.
3) Loan or sell without disclosing the problem taking the chance she'll come back, maybe hurt someone, someone might sue you, and/or the horse might end up passed around
4) Carry on as you are, maybe with a stronger bit and hope it never happens again.
5) Breed her, or sell her or loan her for breeding.
6) Keep her as a pet.
7) Put her down.
8) If you're really desperate, Parelli. ;)
 
She is running home though, not blindly bolting by the sounds of things. A bolter doesn't navigate their way home and stop when they get there, they just run headlong irrespective of where they are going or where they are. I don't think she is bolting scary as it may seem.

OP I would consider not hacking alone and being careful and maybe consider loaning or selling to an experienced home that are aware that she has run for home in the past whilst hacking.
 
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