How to stop a horse running off

shelly19

shelly19

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I have a 7 year old 14.3 cob x warmblood gelding that I have owned for 3 years, he has always been hacked out in small groups and is happy to go first or anywhere else but last. He really thinks something is gonna eat him if he's at the back and recently he's got really bad and keeps running off/ bolting. He's ridden in a snaffle and is great anywhere but at the back and he is definately getting worse. Any advice for gaining confidence?
 
Don't put him at the back for the moment! Just take it very very slowly, waiting for a hot summer day and letting him and a friend slop along side by side at the back. Keep doing this until he's totally chilled about it, then let the friend inch ahead of him now and then. Keep inching ahead until you're actually behind! At any point, if your horse gets worried, just go back a couple of steps. Don't make a big thing about it (coz it isn't) or you'll turn it into a big thing!!! Good luck xxx
 
hmmmm how about him + one other next to him at back? You could then slow him down and put him at the back but only for a couple of strides at a time?
 
Thanks for replies :), seems to be if he's either last or in a group of more than 3 He will hack out alone fine and is very confident in lead. Rode out last week with 5 of us and ended up at the back, he was an absolute loon. Bolted at least 3 times just to front and when we had a canter he just ran past the back 2 terrified. I'm an experienced more mature rider but he did frighten me a bit with the sudden frantic spurts.
He's been so easy and chilled to ride for the past 3 years but seems to be changing and more aware of his surroundings now.
The yard we're currently on everyone hacks out together but I can't possibly go with them at the mo.
 
Ask if you can stay in the middle on group hacks and if his canter gets too fast circle. Or if his flatworks up to it ask him to put that extra energy he gets at the back into collected canter, at least that way you get some schooling done at the same time!
 
flirtygerty said:
Try doing some schooling while hacking, do half halts to keep him thinking, circle him, if he's thinking about work, he's less likely to take off, or lead or in the middle, does he have to be last
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Exactly what I was thinking, yielding etc whilst hacking, keep that mild going also not saying you do it, but a lot of people when a horse bolts pull back with all there might. Spin em! Let loose and just spin them on one rein.
All the best though!;)
 
Thanks :), he's rarely at the back thank god lol but there were 2 children with us, a young pony and the other would only lead. I was really surprised that mine reacted this way because he has gone last a few times in the past and has never been this bad before.
He's really changed this year and has gone from acting like a quiet cob to a loony at times, he's become top dog in the field and at a recent show started kicking out at other horses in the collecting ring as a mare from our yard was there. He has been so sweet and uncomplicated until this year.
Will def try the schooling on hack tips :)
 
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