Is there really such a thing as 'bombproof'?

[FionaW]

We sell a very few Friesians and Andalucians each year - really as a side-line to a teaching on them - and are continually asked 'is he/she bombproof?' I do not believe that ANY horses is irrefutably 'bombproof' - a 'safe' cob, an old racer that's seen it all, Kensington Barrack horse on Hyde Park Corner - if something scares them. especially with a stranger on their back.

Therefore I never tell any potential buyer that our horses are 'bombproof' (although they are generally as unflappable and super-safe as they come). I simply emphasise that they are trustworthy. But am I missing a trick? Are there truly, utterly 'bombproof' horses out there? Or is it one of the the silliest horse catchphrases we use, and one that makes buyers believe there's something saintly out there that usurps a horse's true nature??

 

[E_Lister]

I have to agree, although horses are trustworthy, they are still a prey animal and something they really areny expecting can still catch them out sometimes.
I wonder is bombproof is a newish word or a throwback from when horses were used as chargers in wars?

 

[bex1984]

I don't think you can ever guarantee that a horse won't react as nature intended...with a flight response. I also think that what is spooking to one person, is nothing to another.

My pony is a super-safe, anyone's ride type. He has been ridden by all sorts of people from a 2 yr old, to a 59 yr old who has never sat on a horse (who rode him in an open field). He responds to his rider and looks after anyone who is nervous/novice. I still wouldn't use the word 'bombproof' to describe him, despite his saintly nature, because at the end of the day he is still a horse.

 

[rara007]

Obviously not- Our shetty has never spooked, although he did refuse to go near a large White painted sheep, but put set a bomb off near him and he will explode the same as all living matter

Well a large shire might survive a small bomb, but you could never be sure of bombproofness. Not sure idline to test bombproof rugs, and what about nuclear bombs?

 

[PeterNatt]

I would agree that no horse is 100% Bombproof Spookproof but some get pretty close to it. For instance the horse I had in London could be ridden on his own through the centre of London without a problem.

On the other hand there are horses at the other end of the spectrum that just can not be safely ridden out.

 

[Dubsie]

I dislike the term myself, if you've ever been in earshot of an IRA bomb you'll know they make even the most unflappable person (me) jump. Knocked a fellow courier off his bycycle and he was less than 200ft away, made me jump and I was half a mile away.
However whilst it has become the phrase to use for horses, if you're selling for a living you could be seen as mis-describing by Trading Standards, all it would take is something totally unexpected to make a pony jump which could unseat and throw a rider (especially if the rider jumped too), even if the horse stayed calm, stayed put and didn't bolt off.
I'd stick to your description.

 

[annret]

'Bombproof' is a term that would put me off looking at a horse tbh - lots of dealers use it as synonymous for so bloody lazy you'd need a bomb going off in the vicinity to get them to push themselves beyond a shuffle

 

[angiebaby]

My pony was sold as "bomproof in traffic" He is, so far, I could ride him around the centre of London; but ride down a countryside track with birds flapping, he's a big girls blouse!! Doesn't do anything, just a very good Bambi impression

 

[Divasmum]

I think any horse can only be 99% bombproof there is always the chance of something unexpected happening which scares the horse.

 

[Bowen4Horses]

see... i take the word 'bombproof' to mean something different. and using my definition would say my horse is bombproof...

i've always presumed (blush) it meant the horse doesn't 'bomb off' (e.g. bolt). my horse can spook and jump, but would never bomb off with me. his spooks literally are a small jump then plant. i can't imagine ANY situation that would make him gallop off out of control...

perhaps i need to redefine my usage of the term 'bombproof'...?

 

[Chavhorse]

I think most novice riders assume that bombproof means they are getting something very much like a Police Horse (although anyone seeing Mounted Brance would realise that none of those horses were novice rides).

My old TB was as bombproof as you could get even to the extent that one day we were riding up towards a quarry after heavy rain and suddenly my feet were sitting in liquid mud that was moving backwards.....everyone else's horse freaked out and attempted to throw themselves down in it mine swam forward turned and cooly swam out of it. He then walked calmly down the hill and shied at an abandoned sofa in the hedge.

However even Mr cool under fire was capable of standing quaking if he saw or had to deal with someting that was totally new.....the sheep that suddenly appeared above his head on a hill making pah pah noises was interesting.

I think and you can shoot me down here....a lot of it is due to the rider I know the most he would do is a quick turn and then quake no bolting no trying to get rid of me then leg it. Knowing this I could stay perfectly calm and do the "yeps its a scary sheep now stop being a big poof and lets get on" He trusted me and went although on occasion I am told he did in fact close his eyes.

I trusted that horse implicitly and he trusted me not to make him do anything that would be dangerous so yes he was pretty much bombproof for me.

I sold him when I moved from Cyprus his new owner informs me she can't take him out on roads as he is scared of traffic I think what is happening is that she thinks he ought to be scared of traffic and he is agreeing with her.

 

[JM07]

"Is there really such a thing as "bombproof""?

in a word....No.

 

[kellyeaton]

no there is not a bombproof horse they are a wild animal if they get scared they are going to run!

 

[Weezy]

Hi Fiona!

*Safe and sensible at all times, never known to spook, spin or be silly* is a better way to phrase it IMO. I have tried so called bombproof horses that spook at leaves on the ground LOL and one person's *bombproof* isn't anothers. So, if someone asks *is it bombproof* the best answer is always going to be "I have never known the horse to XY or Z, he/she has always had perfect manners and if I agreed with the useage of the word *bombproof* then I suppose this one would fall into that category"

xxx

 

[Pilib]

A friend of mine lived in Belize and had a pony she used to ride through the jungle. I think there was quite a bit of un-rest there at the time, she was out hacking and a bomb did go off !!! Apparently the pony wasn't phased by this and my friend did indeed have a bomb proof pony!

Sadly she left him behind when she moved back to the UK.

X

 

[Firewell]

I would say my horse is bombproof. In the fact that shes used to been ridden through an army training ground! She doesnt bat an eyelid at tanks going past right next to her, she is used to being ridden through mock war practice and wont notice close range fire arms. Shes also used to very low flying planes and helicopters. Shes fine with JCBs digging right next to her, those really loud road drills and perfect with fire and smoke.

However she is not 'funny looking log proof' or 'different colour blade of grass proof'! Shes damn sharp with those unexpected things!

 

[Theresa_F]

I used to say that Cairo was 99.9% safe - and he was but there was the .1 you can't allow for.

He was known to snort and prance past evil donkeys but would happily walk past a chainsaw and raging bonfire. He was not a plod and could be very responsive, but he was a brave and steady sort.

Farra our new clydie is very good for a 5 year old, so far nothing has phased her, but I still only allow confident riders to take her out, just in case. Give her a couple of years and she will be anyone's ride - again she goes when asked but no more until told to go faster - my idea of a perfect mannered hack.

In short, no horse is 100% safe, but some you can be very confident of putting anyone on and them coming home in one piece.

 

[Abbeygale]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously not- Our shetty has never spooked, although he did refuse to go near a large White painted sheep, but put set a bomb off near him and he will explode the same as all living matter

Well a large shire might survive a small bomb, but you could never be sure of bombproofness. Not sure idline to test bombproof rugs, and what about nuclear bombs?

[/ QUOTE ]


PMSL!! Much better definition...

 

[M_G]

The only horse that is 100% bomb proof is a dead one... Sorry but all living things have the ability to think for themselves which in turn makes them dangerous

 

[Zippydoodles]

[ QUOTE ]
The only horse that is 100% bomb proof is a dead one... Sorry but all living things have the ability to think for themselves which in turn makes them dangerous

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha ha so true! To be completely bomb proof a horse would have to be stuffed IMO.

Sane and sensible would perhaps be a better description to use if you are selling.

 

[Enfys]

[ QUOTE ]
The only horse that is 100% bomb proof is a dead one... Sorry but all living things have the ability to think for themselves which in turn makes them dangerous

[/ QUOTE ]

So true.

I used to live in Catterick Garrison, my horses would go past a tank, helicopter or past the ranges without batting an eyelid, put a swede in a stable and the pair of them would try to climb the walls in terror!

 

[M_G]

[ QUOTE ]

So true.

I used to live in Catterick Garrison, my horses would go past a tank, helicopter or past the ranges without batting an eyelid, put a swede in a stable and the pair of them would try to climb the walls in terror!

[/ QUOTE ]

PMSL that is so funny, mine is scared of small children (but he may get that from me)

 

[Enfys]

But small children ARE terrifying

I rode my placid old painted pony past this on the road earlier, not a quiver as it rumbled past, and yes, that IS all on one tractor. Those wheels are over 6' high to give you an idea of scale.

20' further on the silly old boot launched herself sideways 4' down a bank into a rock filled ditch because a flipping woodchuck crossed the road 100' away. Scary things those woodchucks don't you know!

 

[RachelB]

My friend used to keep her TB next to a barracks - he is literally bomb-proof, but not "bombproof" as we tend to use the term as he can still be a silly TB!
My horse acts brain-dead at times... if you met her you'd think she was the safest horse you'd ever met (I always say it'd be impossible to fall off her unless you threw yourself off, and even then she'd try to catch you!) BUT she doesn't like sheep or pidgeons, and once bolted (albeit only three steps) at the sight of a pram

If someone asked me if my horse was "bombproof" I'd probably say yes, to save having to say "well mostly, but..." - I agree with all the above though that NO horse is "bombproof". There is mostly safe, downright lethal, and everything in between!