Bombproof?

dwi

dwi

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Do you think any horse is completely bombproof in traffic?

We've advertised Daisy for sale as a fun RC allrounder for hunting, xc and sjing and I'm getting really nervous riders ringing up wanting a completely bombproof horse. IMO there is no such thing. Daisy is the safest, most genuine horse that I know in that she is never strong out hacking and will go alone or in company. All horses will however take the odd step sideways and snort a bit if something startles them.

Why am I just attracting calls from people that should probably still be in a riding school?

*and breathe*
 
i'm getting the same thing and i have advertised my horse as needs a confident rider.

you have to remember everyone thinks they are the worlds best rider.
 
Although I would class Prince as "bombproof in traffic" I also stated that he need a competent rider in his advert. Yes he would walk up the middle of a motorway (we never actualy tested this
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)but in an open field if going for a canter, going XC he may have a buck. The number of people that phoned up wanting a first pony was unreal, I must of imagined putting that he needed a competent rider in the advert.
 
The thing is that she doesn't need a confident rider really. Your nan could ride her. She's given me back the confidence that i lost as a teenager and now I'm ready to move on which is why she's up for sale. You can guarantee that she is never going to go faster than you ask her to which to me makes her worth her weight in gold.

To me "confident rider" implies that it might be fast, strong or excitable and she is none of those things.
 
You may be attracting people who are still in riding schools but who are contemplating buying their first horse? She sounds like a perfect first horse and everyone has to start somewhere. Just because they may not be greatly experienced doesnt mean that they wont take good care of her or that they wont have experienced people around them. I wouldnt discount anyone because they ask if she is bombproof as that is a common question from first time buyers however you can answer honestly and then its up to them (and you) to decide whether they would make a good match.
 
i would class my mare as bompproof, but a pigeon flew out at her and she jumped a bit, but i still say shes bombproof as we all jump at things occasionally, the difference is she doesnt run off bucking and reaering after the event, she just carries on, so thats bombproof in my book...
 
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i still (despite many threads on this topic) think that bombproof means they don't 'bomb off'....

therefore i'd describe raff as bombproof... but he will jump and plant if spooked...

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a very good definition. She won't rear or run off with you, that would be too energetic, just might jump sideways if something startles her.
 
Your horse sounds exactly what I would be looking for if I had the time - unfortuneately I am too busy with daughters collection to consider my own!!!
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So long as it doesn't run off at a hundred miles an hour and doesn't nap, buck or rear (in any situation) then I would class that as pretty much bomproof!! I have had horses for a long time but due to various injuries, being older etc I almost need a first horse again. **Scuttles off to price up more stabling and another 2 hours in my day**
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I bought my first horse in december and although they said he was 'bombproof' i was fully aware that every horse was going to jump at things
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What i was hoping to avoid is a horse that bucks/rears/naps after or during a spook because i am not a good enough rider to control it safely, very comfortable though to sit on a horse that stares, skips sideways and plants.

When i was looking i always found really detailed adverts better so even if you just explain what you said to us in the advert i think it would make alot of difference!
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I don't think bombproof no and in mu opinion any person wanting to buy or loan their own horse should be fully aware a horse is not a machine and you cannot expect them to not react to certain things.

Ok, so if a horse is terrified of lorries/cars etc then certainly not for a novice person but then sometimes I do have an issue with a novice/nervous rider having a horse - you have to be confident with a horse or it'll pick up on your nerves. Even the safest of safe horses can get a bit nervy if they have a nervous rider in control.

Sometimes I feel these nervous, novicey types should spend more of their money and invest in more lessons before buying or loaning. Of course you do get those rare horses who are worth their weight in gold and would genuinely never do anything 'naughty' but then often people then say the horse is 'boring'! That winds me up - people seem to want a forward going, active horse yet expect it do also not spook, ever have a 'moment' or anything!

Sorry, it's a big bug bear of mine - there seem to be too many people lacking experience who, just because they can afford it, decide buying a horse is the right way to go. Horses then end up ruined and deemed 'dangerous' as a result.
 
It's pretty common for people to ask if they are 'bombproof'. I certainly did when looking for horses a while ago. Most people don't take it literally, it's just a good way of describing a sensible, quiet, non-spooky horse.

To me (and most people, I'd imagine) a 'bombproof' horses is one that's pretty non-spooky, takes most things in their stride and not fazed or worried by everyday things. It DOESN'T mean that they won't jump if a pheasent flew out and hit them or something equally unexpected. But that they wouldn't gallop off on a blind panic when it does.

I know many horses who I'd happily class as 'bombproof'. They still occasionally have a good look at scary things, but they don't levitate sideways at a blade of grass ( I have one of those horses!).

When they phone up aking if she's 'bombproof', ask them what they MEAN by 'bombproof'. You'll prob find the majority would class it as I do above.

However I do rather agree with LadyT - I know quiet a few people looking for that equine saint that doesn't really exist, when they'd be better off learning to ride better so they don't need one!
 
Well I'd happily describe my mare as bomb proof in traffic but perhaps she is not the norm. She is rock solid on the road, alone or in company, completely unphased by lorries, buses, motorway bridges, etc etc. If she has a few days off and I know she'll be fresh when I get on her I'll choose to do roadwork because she knows to be sensible on the road. And I know that strictly speaking there's no such thing as 'bombproof' but I honestly can't remember the last time she spooked on concrete.

The thing is, however, that my mare isn't easy to ride or handle in other areas - she's excitable, bolshy and strong. Whenever I've advertised her in the past (for share/part loan etc) I've described her as 'not novice ride' and 'needs experienced, confident rider'. And I assume that riders who deem themselves competent enough to try her out won't sue me if heaven forbid, she does have a one off spook at a tractor and therefore proves herself to be not entirely bombproof!
 
IMO a horse is never 100% bombproof, a sudden scare can cause any horse to shy suddenly or even take off.

I recall many years ago riding Sweep, a gorgeous black safe cob, at 30 years old his spooking days were well behind him having experienced life. We had many fun times together. One day we were walking along when some kids deliberately threw a stone at a road sign. All was quiet until they threw the stone, the noise made Sweep jump and dart forward, and while he immediately settled again for a novice rider they could have fallen off.

So 99% bombproof yes but not 100%
 
I know what you're saying ziggy but, that is 'bombproof' with you. You get a very nervy person on a horse and that can change a horse into a different animal. I have seen it with my pony when my mum gets on - suddenly he is very tense and anxious.

There are as I said the odd few horses who are very very stable for everybody but they're few and far between. I just think if someone wants an armchair ride they shouldn't be looking at buying or loaning a horse of their own.
 
Fany is the most bombproof horse I have ever met! (not that I believe that any horse is completely bombproof, just haven't ever found anything that she is scared of!) She stands and watches the traffic, lorries and never bats an eye. She never shies at anything, pheasants don't both her, a man started a strimmer next to her and she just looked at it. That said she can be strong and would not suit a complete novice because she has to be ridden in a pelham and can be very determined when she decides she has worked hard enough!
 
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