Emperorlife
New User
Hi Everyone,
I'm posting as a newbie, but used to post as 'Billy the Kid'....but I've lost my logins.
I'm hoping you can help me out.
I've owned my new horse 9months now, he is a 6YO RID, 16'3. He is a lovely type, well mannered, does as I ask on the ground and ridden. Real gentleman!
BUT..i have one issue....he has a massively high flight response if he gets a fright. he is brave, doesn't spook much ect, its when something catches him off grand eg bird out hedge, leaf blowing.
he has now bolted with me three times. I'm talking full scale panic bolting. The latest being this weekend at a comp, where a bit of different coloured grass caught his eye, he spun and bolted, jumped out the arena and carried on over the XC field. Its getting dangerous.
Once I've stopped him and reassured him its ok, he goes back to his calm cool self.
He is on a magnesium calmer daily, fed hay and fast fibre (Allen and page), and gets daily turnout in a low grass field.
He isn't strong or unruly 95% of the time, but when he bolts its fall out and I cant stop or steer him...he is in panic mode and im along for the ride!
I'm an experienced rider that has ridden over 25years and owned many horses, including youngsters, problem horses ect.
Has anyone got any tips/had experience of this behaviour before? I'm wondering if he has bad eye sight and isn't seeing things well? Or maybe as he ages he will calm more?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
I'm posting as a newbie, but used to post as 'Billy the Kid'....but I've lost my logins.
I'm hoping you can help me out.
I've owned my new horse 9months now, he is a 6YO RID, 16'3. He is a lovely type, well mannered, does as I ask on the ground and ridden. Real gentleman!
BUT..i have one issue....he has a massively high flight response if he gets a fright. he is brave, doesn't spook much ect, its when something catches him off grand eg bird out hedge, leaf blowing.
he has now bolted with me three times. I'm talking full scale panic bolting. The latest being this weekend at a comp, where a bit of different coloured grass caught his eye, he spun and bolted, jumped out the arena and carried on over the XC field. Its getting dangerous.
Once I've stopped him and reassured him its ok, he goes back to his calm cool self.
He is on a magnesium calmer daily, fed hay and fast fibre (Allen and page), and gets daily turnout in a low grass field.
He isn't strong or unruly 95% of the time, but when he bolts its fall out and I cant stop or steer him...he is in panic mode and im along for the ride!
I'm an experienced rider that has ridden over 25years and owned many horses, including youngsters, problem horses ect.
Has anyone got any tips/had experience of this behaviour before? I'm wondering if he has bad eye sight and isn't seeing things well? Or maybe as he ages he will calm more?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.