Horse bolting, help!

Ladybird L

Ladybird L

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This is getting scary.
Came very close to a big bolt today.

Continuing on from my thread Just not happy with noseband or something like that…

The cob keeps tanking/bolting off!! And it feels like total luck that I have stopped her so far.

She leans on the bit on her way out, is fine otherwise but when she realises we’re on our way back, she starts spooking and and if she gets spooked (eg tractor (which I she ISNT scared of - we pass millions on the way out and she’s totally chill - it’s an excuse to try get home asap) or gets excited by something (can also happen on the way out) she sticks her head up in the air so I have no feel of the bit and sets her neck. There isn’t much warning, you can feel her head going up momentarily and losing contact, a split second and she’s in full gallop.
I’m not sure if she’s crossing her jaw or not, been too focused on not letting us get killed!

In fairness to me, I usually can pull her up after a few strides..

I really need to do something though!
She’s in a jointed Wilkie snaffle and a grackle at the moment.

A martingale might help, stop her getting her head up so high? What bit/noseband would you put a bolter in (she doesn’t like pressure on her nose)?
I was Googling bits, the Peewee bit seemed too good to be true, stops leaning, helps with strong horses, helps with bolting, helps with turning, taking up contact, etc etc… is this all true??
I’d love to give it a try if it is, but it’s so thin, I’d be worried I’d hurt her mouth, I’m not the most expert rider, I’d be super if I have really quiet hands…
 
Just to clarify, if she's bolting, you wouldn't be able to stop after a few strides. Sounds like she's shooting off with you (which also isn't much fun). Please don't try to solve this with gadgets. Assess absolutely everything, including yourself, and seek the assistance of a vet, dentist, independent nutritionist, physio, saddler, and a reputable trainer, to get to the bottom of this
 
Muddywellies said:
Just to clarify, if she's bolting, you wouldn't be able to stop after a few strides. Sounds like she's shooting off with you (which also isn't much fun). Please don't try to solve this with gadgets. Assess absolutely everything, including yourself, and seek the assistance of a vet, dentist, independent nutritionist, physio, saddler, and a reputable trainer, to get to the bottom of this
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Okay. Thanks, I didn’t realise that.
AWinter said:
I would be thinking about why she is getting so upset in the first place rather than just thinking of stronger tack to control her once it’s happened. She sounds very anxious, you’re describing trigger stacking. It sounds like this is new behaviour?
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It’s new behaviour with me, but spoke to her old owner, she ‘might have taken off a time or two’ so it’s not new to her.
 
Agree that this needs training rather than gadgets. Once they decide to go all the pulling and pain in the world isn't going to stop them.

Are you on your own or with others?

Do get everything checked, I realise it probably isn't the main issue since she's ok on the way out but could be several small issues becoming one big one once she gets excited.

Training wise get in the school and train for softness - can you bend her neck, move her shoulders and quarters independently. Teach a one rein stop and practice getting off on the stop, once you've mastered it it does become second nature.

I would advise getting help to ride out unless you are sure you can do it yourself. I would get company and lead out on a tiny route, start with the bottom of the drive and back, then 20m out and back, etc. If she gets silly you can do a one rein stop or just turn the opposite way and walk on. If it goes well you can try it mounted. If in doubt get off.

Take the time to train her properly so you get a nice sensible horse.
 
First, you need to be safe. Then you can train to fix the confidence issue that this is.

I’d not ride a horse that runs off in a snaffle. In time I might happily drop back to one if the issue is resolved, but for now you need to keep yourself and your cob safe. I would ask old owner what she hacked out in, but I personally would use a Dutch gag or if that’s not enough a Tom Thumb to regain control. Plus a martingale probably given what you have said.

Then you can focus on training and confidence. In time, you should be fine, and will be able to drop back to the snaffle ring on the bit then switch back to a snaffle to try that. For now though, safety first.

We have two cob crosses. One I can ride in a plastic snaffle, but came to me for very little because she put her head up (horizontally to the ground!) and ran. She needs a confident rider and to be ridden in an outline to help her balance as well as her confidence. I think she’s fantastic, but can totally see what would happen with a child or novice on board! The other ignored the bit, like it just wasn’t there, so when she was good she was amazing, but when she wasn’t she just left. She’s in a Tom Thumb and now has lovely brakes at all times with a loose rein. That gave my son the ability to stop, so he could do some schooling and sort her brakes out. We’ll give it a few months then start dropping back down the bit ‘tree’ and see how it goes!
 
She isn't fine on the way out as she leans on the bit. I would start there, in an enclosed area, to teach her not to do that. If you can teach yourself/her to have a light contact, it is akin to holding their hand when they are worried. If the bit is already a fight, then it is an additional stress when a stressor appears.

When the contact is made, you can feel what they are about to do and 'hold their hand' before it happens, to stave off disaster.
 
Ladybird L said:
This is getting scary.
Came very close to a big bolt today.

Continuing on from my thread Just not happy with noseband or something like that…

The cob keeps tanking/bolting off!! And it feels like total luck that I have stopped her so far.

She leans on the bit on her way out, is fine otherwise but when she realises we’re on our way back, she starts spooking and and if she gets spooked (eg tractor (which I she ISNT scared of - we pass millions on the way out and she’s totally chill - it’s an excuse to try get home asap) or gets excited by something (can also happen on the way out) she sticks her head up in the air so I have no feel of the bit and sets her neck. There isn’t much warning, you can feel her head going up momentarily and losing contact, a split second and she’s in full gallop.
I’m not sure if she’s crossing her jaw or not, been too focused on not letting us get killed!

In fairness to me, I usually can pull her up after a few strides..

I really need to do something though!
She’s in a jointed Wilkie snaffle and a grackle at the moment.

A martingale might help, stop her getting her head up so high? What bit/noseband would you put a bolter in (she doesn’t like pressure on her nose)?
I was Googling bits, the Peewee bit seemed too good to be true, stops leaning, helps with strong horses, helps with bolting, helps with turning, taking up contact, etc etc… is this all true??
I’d love to give it a try if it is, but it’s so thin, I’d be worried I’d hurt her mouth, I’m not the most expert rider, I’d be super if I have really quiet hands…
Click to expand...
I'd buy a market Harborough and put it on before a hack. That way when she pulls, she is only pulling against herself.

They might be outdated but can work brilliantly.
 
I put a martingale on my TB after she took off a couple of times and it worked really well for us. I didn’t need to bit up, she was still in a snaffle and she didn’t take off again.

It does sound like your horse is stressed. Do you have a loop you can do instead of going out and back?
Do you have anyone you can hack with or even someone on the ground to try and give her more confidence?

I agree that training would be more beneficial than gadgets. Does she school well without stressing?
 
This is a sarcastic post about bolting but this lady's page and information is exceptional and this article may help with your perspective/understanding, even if it's not how to stop it.

Bei Facebook anmelden

Melde dich bei Facebook an, um dich mit deinen Freunden, deiner Familie und Personen, die du kennst, zu verbinden und Inhalte zu teilen.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
In the wild horses run off when they want to get away from something. Something is upsetting her and you need to think of you are doing anything different before she bolts. You may think that she won’t be scared of the tractor as she passes it fine one way. It’s not an “excuse”. To you it might seem like that but her brain is different to yours. Don’t shove severe pain in her mouth you won’t solve the issue. Just try to listen and think like her.
 
Birker2020 said:
I'd buy a market Harborough and put it on before a hack. That way when she pulls, she is only pulling against herself.

They might be outdated but can work brilliantly.
Click to expand...
Brilliant.Kelky Marks says
1 Never school your horse,it may learn the aids.
2Always canter home,preferably from the same spot
3Get on your horse on a very windy day when you are feeling particularly nervous and carrying a long schooling whip.Job done
 
Ladybird L said:
This is getting scary.
Came very close to a big bolt today.

Continuing on from my thread Just not happy with noseband or something like that…

The cob keeps tanking/bolting off!! And it feels like total luck that I have stopped her so far.

She leans on the bit on her way out, is fine otherwise but when she realises we’re on our way back, she starts spooking and and if she gets spooked (eg tractor (which I she ISNT scared of - we pass millions on the way out and she’s totally chill - it’s an excuse to try get home asap) or gets excited by something (can also happen on the way out) she sticks her head up in the air so I have no feel of the bit and sets her neck. There isn’t much warning, you can feel her head going up momentarily and losing contact, a split second and she’s in full gallop.
I’m not sure if she’s crossing her jaw or not, been too focused on not letting us get killed!

In fairness to me, I usually can pull her up after a few strides..

I really need to do something though!
She’s in a jointed Wilkie snaffle and a grackle at the moment.

A martingale might help, stop her getting her head up so high? What bit/noseband would you put a bolter in (she doesn’t like pressure on her nose)?
I was Googling bits, the Peewee bit seemed too good to be true, stops leaning, helps with strong horses, helps with bolting, helps with turning, taking up contact, etc etc… is this all true??
I’d love to give it a try if it is, but it’s so thin, I’d be worried I’d hurt her mouth, I’m not the most expert rider, I’d be super if I have really quiet hands…
Click to expand...
I got a PeeWee bit after a 17.2hh Clydesdale took off with me and only stopped when I steered her towards a wall at the wrong side of a (fortunately quiet) road junction. It did exactly what it said it would and the bonus was that it fitted her large tongued, wide mouth perfectly because there weren't many bits available that were big enough for her.
Tbf to her, she was spooked by a group of colts cantering alongside us and slowed when we left them behind.

Eta sometimes a thinner bit is more comfortable for the mouth confirmation

Eta2 I lent the bit to an eventer acquaintance who was struggling to steer her young horse xc. She found it very helpful.
 
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I would get her teeth checked immediately. That could be a very quick answer or lead you to the next part.

From what OP describes I see the horse as doing 2 things. Firstly she has never been taught to go in a bit, especially if she did this with her old owner. To her a bit means you pull backwards and her 500kg pulls forward and you will never win whatever bit, noseband, or anything else you put on. She does the only thing she knows which is pull against the pressure.

If she bolts on the way home then I would see it that it is just getting too much for her. She feels insecure because no one is looking after her. She wants someone to be in charge looking after her (through the reins and seat) and no one is there. So she panics, spooks, runs etc and the you "pull her up" bu force.

I had a similar cob who had never been taught about a bit so simply didn't understand and didn't stop at all, he also panicked as this one does when he had no support Everyone told me a stronger bit etc but I put reins on a headcollar (in an enclosed area) and he stopped perfectly. Did whatever I wanted. No one had ever taught him that before so he learnt quickly and understood. Learnt to stop on a voice command quickly. I could have retrained him to a bit, I chose a hackamore but the point is he had never learnt to understand the bit and how to carry himself. I started riding him out in a headcollar and the fear and panic were gone. Someone was in charge to support him and he understood what he was being asked. He had the confidence to carry himself on a loose rein.

I would ask someone very experienced or an instructor to give her a ride and see what their assessment is. If it is that she has not been trained to understand the bit then either you will need to retrain her yourself or ask a trainer to give her a few lessons and then lessons with you on top.
 
You could also be dealing with a wily native, who has learned how to challenge the rider and get her own way. It takes a fair bit of perseverance to sort out, but essentially, you have to give the instructions and she has to listen. No arguments about whether she wants to comply or not, she has to co-operate with you or it gets dangerous. My cob used to do this with my daughter. Locked neck muscles, either head down somewhere near his knees, stargazing or his nose tucked in so far it almost touched his shoulder. Then a quick hop sideways to unbalance the rider and he would spin and head for home. Daughter worked out when she could feel he was about to perform, and started circling him until he relaxed and stood still. Then continue. He would try it on again after a few paces, and again, a few tight circles and ask for forward. He then started napping, so she would whip him round and ask for reverse. Back up a few paces, then ask for walk on. It took a good month before he accepted that co-operating wasn't that bad, and in time he became a lovely safe hack, very enthusiastic about being out and about. Good luck, I hope you can solve it.
 
One. Rein. Stop.
You will never stop a horse in a true bolt. This horse is tanking off and ignoring you OP. Take time out and learn about the one rein stop then teach your horse, then practice it lots. And break the habit, take different routes or go out and then turn for home almost at once, and then do it again and again but getting a bit further each time.

This seems to me to be a horse which is barely under control (leaning on the bit is not OK). I'd even go back to groundwork to work on your relationship, and I might even try bitless if as you say horse doesn't like nose pressure. You might find that less is more, as I did with my RIP horse who came to me in a fierce western bit that he ran through repeatedly by putting his chin on his chest. He went better in a snaffle and was 100%+++ once I took him bitless. The lightest and most sensitive horse I'll probably ever ride, and he was much happier and more relaxed. It's a leap of faith though, and definitely not for every horse.
 
I haven't read all the replies but my mare will spin and try to tank off with me if something spooks her, I have her in a running martingale to stop her getting her head up very high and I also immediately turn her so she cannot get any speed up. It is an anxiety problem but I use ear plugs for hacking out on my own as she is extremely noise reactive and these really make a huge difference to her.
 
irishdraft said:
I haven't read all the replies but my mare will spin and try to tank off with me if something spooks her, I have her in a running martingale to stop her getting her head up very high and I also immediately turn her so she cannot get any speed up. It is an anxiety problem but I use ear plugs for hacking out on my own as she is extremely noise reactive and these really make a huge difference to her.
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Which is essentially a one rein stop, except that you keep turning without release until the horse comes to a complete stop AND relaxes/softens. Eventually the horse learns to stop and relax when you just reach down the rein, if it even gets that far. Obvs you practice this at a standstill and then a walk and then a trot - and it's not a yank which could unbalance the horse. Video attached. Trainers all teach it in slightly different ways, so pick what suite - but essentially you are aiming not to have to use it at all.
 
This is a schooling issue . Which may take some time to sort out - horse is anxious and therefore not a willing ride. It will never be sorted by more tack, gadgets or harsh bits. They may effective for a while , but its not tackling the root cause which is a horse that is stressed and unsure.
 
Goldenstar said:
Whatever is causing this it’s not going to be solved by different or more tack.
Unless it’s caused by a badly fitting saddle .
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No it won't be solved by different tack but the tack may enable OP to stay safe while she works on the schooling. Jointed snaffles really don't suit all horses.
 
cornbrodolly said:
This is a schooling issue . Which may take some time to sort out - horse is anxious and therefore not a willing ride. It will never be sorted by more tack, gadgets or harsh bits. They may effective for a while , but it’s not tackling the root cause which is a horse that is stressed and unsure.
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Saddle/teeth checks and a trot up for soundness aside…

Sometimes, getting control, through a stronger bit or martingale, is the key. Because it enables you to have enough control to do the schooling to fix the problem. Sometimes a horse is just anxious, and if OP is contacting the previous owner for advice they probably haven’t had the horse that long. So horse lacks confidence in rider, gets increasingly worried the longer they are away from the yard and the safety of home, then on the way back just wants to run home to be safe. If you can physically keep self and horse safe enough to keep doing it, then they will be safe enough to learn with time that actually it’s fine, the rider is a competent leader, the environment is ok, their friends don’t all vanish while they are gone. At which point you stop needing your emergency brakes and can eventually probably hack out in virtually nothing with a loose rein both there and back. Ending up having an accident because your horse shoots off into a car isn’t exactly confidence building for anyone, and the schooling that is needed if the horse is only an issue hacking - is out hacking, where you first must be safe enough to do so.

So yes, of course check saddle/teeth etc (if recent horse purchase would hope was vetted) but also take care not to end up in front of a car while waiting for those appointments.
 
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eahotson said:
Brilliant.Kelky Marks says
1 Never school your horse,it may learn the aids.
2Always canter home,preferably from the same spot
3Get on your horse on a very windy day when you are feeling particularly nervous and carrying a long schooling whip.Job done
Click to expand...
Sorry I can't understand if you are being sarcastic at my suggestion and you are suggesting that what I wrote is about as useless as Kelly Marks?? 😉😄

But for the avoidance of doubt the Market Harborough makes perfect sense to me. When the horse raises his head it applies pressure to the reins but when he lowers his head, the pressure is relieved. A horse will not only raise its head but also pull against a riders hands when it gets overly strong. If it finds itself pulling against itself (which is what happens when pressure is applied by the horse whilst wearing this 'device') then the horse will learn not to bother.

In the same way a horse standing on your foot will bow into you and the pressure of you pushing against it.
 
I had very similar issues with my Welsh x tb. I did find a running martingale and Dutch gag helped. They don’t ‘cure’ the issue and nor would I expect them to, but they slowed him down enough to provide a small window of opportunity where I could have some influence and keep us safe. It is very much a confidence thing for him, hardly ever does it now.
 
Birker2020 said:
Sorry I can't understand if you are being sarcastic at my suggestion and you are suggesting that what I wrote is about as useless as Kelly Marks?? 😉😄

But for the avoidance of doubt the Market Harborough makes perfect sense to me. When the horse raises his head it applies pressure to the reins but when he lowers his head, the pressure is relieved. A horse will not only raise its head but also pull against a riders hands when it gets overly strong. If it finds itself pulling against itself (which is what happens when pressure is applied by the horse whilst wearing this 'device') then the horse will learn not to bother.

In the same way a horse standing on your foot will bow into you and the pressure of you pushing against it.
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No no offence.I was the same sort of sarcasm as the German lady and a round a bout way of saying how people sometimes,inadvertently train their horses to bolt.
 
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