My connie has bolted on a hack - twice! Advice?

TotalMadgeness

TotalMadgeness

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I have a lovely connie gelding rising 7 now. He has had his fair share of problems - the main problem took 2 years to reach a diagnosis of congenitally malformed stifles (diagnosed this time last year). The vet also found a bone chip in his RH fetlock and he said he didn't recommend removal simply because of the stifles issue, so he still has it. Recently he's had a sarcoid removed and treated plus a melanoma removed surgically. Both surgeries and treatment went well. Since the stifles diagnosis the pony's had one lot of steroid injections and a strict exercise routine as laid out by the vet and physio. The routine is mainly hacking in walk over different terrains. In the school no lungeing/jumping but plenty of in hand work in walk over raised poles, rein back etc. So he has been worked in hand, loose schooled in an equicore, hacked out as regularly as possible with a short flatwork session once or twice a fortnight in walk and trot only.

Roll on a year later this pony has exceeded all expectations. He is now looking strong healthy and is embracing his work with enthusiasm and more importantly he is managing his work beautifully (whereas before he could hardly walk in a straight line). The vet and physio are very pleased indeed and I'm delighted.

Ever since I got him he's always been quiet and easy going on hacks. He's coped well with pretty much everything that was thrown at him (motorbikes, quads, tractors, lorries, cyclists etc).
As he's got stronger physically he's become slightly more forward on hacks and occasionally hyper but he's always settled down quickly and seems to enjoy his trips out.

3 weeks ago I took him offroad to a local place with lots of good tracks, mainly gravelled but some earth tracks. He'd been there several times during 2019. The first couple of times I walked him in hand to get used to the place which was successful and since then he's been ridden there loads of times. Anyway 3 weeks ago it was a windy but dry day and because he'd been hacked out & ridden in the wind lots of times before I didn't think anything of it. He went with my other horse and all was fine until half way round the forest tracks a group of dirt bikes arrived in the distance (about a mile away I think). He spotted them, stopped to look and usually once he's had a look he just carries on as normal. Not this time. He started to snort, bunny hop then trotted away broke into canter and disappeared down the track. His rider was very cool and simply sat quietly until she could find a place to stop him safely. She then dismounted and led him back to us. He was agitated, my horse was agitated (thankfully I'd managed to stop him from following!) but after being walked for a short while they both settled down, we remounted and we all carried on as normal.

2 weeks ago we took them to the same place for a long hack on exactly the same route - no drama. The pony was a dream.

Yesterday we took them back and to cut a long story short both horses managed to get away and couldn't be stopped - they ran round the area, luckily staying on the track. This was caused by the connie suddenly pulling away from me for no reason I could fathom and buggering off. My other horse also managed to get away and follow him. This was a dry quiet day, no wind and nothing weird going on. Thankfully two other riders managed to catch them (I'm so grateful these ladies were on the hacking route).

Basically it was pretty scary and although everything & everyone was fine it could have ended up as a really nasty situation. The tracks were being used by dog walkers and families and someone could have been hurt.

I don't know how this has happened but somehow this pony has learned to 'run away' from his people and best horsey friend. I know its all a bit fresh and raw in my mind but I really don't trust this horse out on a hack at the moment - and worry this is something he will repeat.

I don't think he's in pain and can only think he is now feeling really well and in the past, because he had weak stifles and discomfort, this made him quiet / subdued on his hacks. So I'm thinking now he is stronger he's more reactive and because I've been lulled into a false sense of security I've just not been quick enough to deal with this appropriately.

Has anyone got any advice please before I chuck in the towel and never hack my horses again (I'm in my mid fifties so not a spring chicken anymore)? Thank you for reading!
 
I had a horse who used to bolt in open spaces (tank off excitedly). I had trainers take him out multiple times and practicing ground work to work on responsiveness in the school etc. In the end after a lot of work from myself and trainers it was advised I changed his bit to a straight rubber bar Pelham and I never had a problem again, he wouldn’t be strong with it at all and after a while I changed back to the snaffle and he never bolted again. Xx
 
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Just checking I've got this right - the first time was under saddle, but the second time he was being held / led and pulled away and your other horse followed?

I'm not sure I'd call this 'bolting' where a horse panics and loses all sense of self-preservation - it's more a tanking off? If it was a true bolt I'd say to stop riding him straight away but what you've described I think he's probably feeling good and is a bit excited and that's what's set him off rather than him getting spooked and 'running'. If that was the case he'd have gone the second he saw the bikes rather than building up to it. You've had a bit of a fright and might be reading a bit more into it than is there?

I think you could probably deal with this with a bit of help. Short term, I'd stay away from that area if it's only happened there and just hack him out places where he's behaving to build your confidence back up. You could try a stronger bit (not always my first bit of advice but it's important to keep everyone safe and you feeling confident you can stop) and once you're happy with riding him in that and stopping, go back to this place. Would the other rider ride him until you're happy he's got it out of his system or if not could you pay a pro to do it? Once you're happy seeing that they can deal with him, you could try? I'd also try to hack with a total plod/gem of a horse who won't react to what he's doing. Monty (my share horse) is one of these and he's worth his weight in gold when Archie (my horse) is being a bit of a div. No matter what A does - he had his coffin joint injected in September and has been feeling great which has resulted in sideways jogging and speed bump jumping for most of our hacks since Christmas - at the age of 24. It's a good job I know him well enough to just laugh at him - M just toddles along behind in his own little world so never makes things worse.
 
annagain said:
Just checking I've got this right - the first time was under saddle, but the second time he was being held / led and pulled away and your other horse followed?

I'm not sure I'd call this 'bolting' where a horse panics and loses all sense of self-preservation - it's more a tanking off? If it was a true bolt I'd say to stop riding him straight away but what you've described I think he's probably feeling good and is a bit excited and that's what's set him off rather than him getting spooked and 'running'. If that was the case he'd have gone the second he saw the bikes rather than building up to it. You've had a bit of a fright and might be reading a bit more into it than is there?

I think you could probably deal with this with a bit of help. Short term, I'd stay away from that area if it's only happened there and just hack him out places where he's behaving to build your confidence back up. You could try a stronger bit (not always my first bit of advice but it's important to keep everyone safe and you feeling confident you can stop) and once you're happy with riding him in that and stopping, go back to this place. Would the other rider ride him until you're happy he's got it out of his system or if not could you pay a pro to do it? Once you're happy seeing that they can deal with him, you could try? I'd also try to hack with a total plod/gem of a horse who won't react to what he's doing. Monty (my share horse) is one of these and he's worth his weight in gold when Archie (my horse) is being a bit of a div. No matter what A does - he had his coffin joint injected in September and has been feeling great which has resulted in sideways jogging and speed bump jumping for most of our hacks since Christmas - at the age of 24. It's a good job I know him well enough to just laugh at him - M just toddles along behind in his own little world so never makes things worse.
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Thank you!

On the second time we had dismounted because we were looking for a clip on camera that the other rider was wearing and it had fallen off onto the track. I was holding the connie's reins at the time and he was grazing. The other rider went to get on my big horse (we'd given up on the camera at this point), I was talking to her and suddenly connie was off, I was lying on the ground and then the big horse (my usually safe dependable plod!) went after him. They managed to run about 2 miles round the track before the other riders caught them. I've just been discussing this with a horsey friend today and she's just said (similar to you) we'll take him on his usual hack close to home (which he is extremely familiar with) for now and leave the forest tracks until he's much more settled in himself and gotten used to his 'new' way of being. There is also a local pro who would be able to help and my dear long suffering husband who is happy to walk out with us on a hack.

The pony is really good usually - such an utterly lovely pony to ride and I've been careful with him because he's young, e.g. spending time working him on the ground and teaching him how to hack (in hand and long reins etc). He always goes out with my big guy too who is older, more sensible and normally a saint. I hope this is just a blip on an otherwise blemish free career for this pony!
 
Hi

I don't think I'd class either of these as a 'bolt' which is a true blind panic gallop, sounds like he is just fresh and feeling sharp and more easily distracted. If it is any consolation my 15yo schoolmaster jogged and bounced round our usual hack yesterday as he heard his own hoofbeats echo, and decided it was a horse coming towards him and started jiggling sideways and shouting - its the time of year for it!!
Ideally of course the first time (mounted) it would have been dealt with quickly and fairly sternly which might have resolved it a bit quicker- but maybe you just need to slightly change your attitude to him to avoid it happening again. Connies can be sharp little articles, normally quite testy as 5yo's, and it sounds like your boy is definitely feeling better (which is great) and is a bit behind in his education so maybe he is at that 'testing the boundaries' stage.

Stick to you usual quieter routes for now, and be quite firm with your riding, don't expect him to be the sweet little plod- it is easier said than done to be very relaxed (they will pick up on tension) but also positive in your riding if you are feeling a little nervy - but thats what he needs right now, so get faking it :-)
 
That doen't sound like blind panic bolting. Never understood why people label their horses as "bolters" when they mean they got a bit assertive and the rider couldn't stop. Not the same thing at all. If it bolts you can't stop by definition and he is in a panic and cannot help his own actions either - that is dangerous for any rider. Hopefully that isn't the case here and what you need to do is nip this in the bud now before it becomes a habit and therefore a problem. He needs to to learn that you won't let him do that at all ever. So do what it takes, stronger bit, whatever so you feel safe and he learns its not an option. It may take tougher tactics but once the message gets through that you won't allow it then the problem will stop. From what you say, it sounds as though he has been on restricted work for some time. Is that right? If so, and he is just fresh, then can you increase work/turn out and reduce feed until he finds his manners again?
 
Please don't label your young horse a bolter when further insight seems to say he is FAR from a true bolter.:( Horses that get these labels early in their career seldom end up in a good place unless someone with a sensible head on manages to get to them soon enough to put a stop to these often far from the reality descriptions of their behaviour.

You tell us he is 7 but due to various health issues he has realistically only achieved the experience of a normal 5 year old at best. From what you say he sounds a very honest sort and any 5 year old finding himself on the end of an obvioulsy rather loosely held rein by a foot soldier who is not concentrating one bit on how he is reacting to outside stimulus, coupled with another horse he is out with who is also being supervised by yet another foot soldier who is not alert and attentive to what is actually going on with these two horses - as foot soldier is very intent on searching for a lost camera on the ground....:rolleyes:

Sorry Op I do realise that when a true bolter either rips away your hand when on foot or takes you into the worst out of control scenario of your life when ridden it is very,very scary and terrifying. that sort of horse usually ends up with a bullet.

I dont think for one minute this is what is happening here, please get some experienced help very quickly with your horse before he actually does morph from a very nice but green young horse into a bolter, through no fault of his own :confused:
 
As previously said there seems to be a trend to use the term ‘bolted’ for just going a bit faster than you intended! The not very strong teenage rider who is sometimes allowed to ride one of my ponies in a safe setting uses it to describe a fast canter!! It doesn’t sound that your pony bolted, maybe was just a bit above himself. Personally l wouldn’t have been going out hacking in some of the very windy conditions we’ve had recently. Much better to stay safe, either in an enclosed area or just give additional turnout and maybe reduced feed.
 
I have been on the receiving end of both a true bolt, and a 'buggering off' and I have to echo others and say that there is no comparison.

The bolt was hands down the scariest thing that has ever happened to me with a horse involved, by a long shot. Several years later and I'm still not a particularly confident hacker.... unfortunately it's still in the back of my mind. Proper bolting is pure terror...

That said, I do sympathise because the 'buggering off' wasn't particularly great either, though much less scary! My naughty welsh pony was out on long lines in an open field, took advantage of a lapse in concentration and decided to take off for home. Unfortunately being behind him, I couldn't stop him quickly enough and off he went! Watching your pride and joy belting off without you is pretty scary stuff, and I've never run so fast in my life to try and catch him up!!

Lesson learnt-don't take a flighty pony out on long reins in an unenclosed space!

Point is, your pony hasn't bolted, and that is positive because it means you can do something about it. Taking off IS scary, so I'm not surprised you are feeling shaken. But you can get on top of it. Personally, I would recommend getting a trusted instructor to ride him out with you on your safe horse, having been told exactly what the problem is. They will have the confidence/skills to shut the behaviour down and also give him some confidence too. Short term, consider a bit with two reins, so if he does try and take the mick again, you can pick up the second rein for some brakes. Eg dutch gag with rein on snaffle as well as gag, or a pelham depending on what he prefers.
 
Bolting is completely different to getting strong or running away with you. Does not sound like your horse bolted. A bolter will run through fences etc no sense of self preservation.
 
Ok I think that it was not bolting has possibly been established?
I would hack them out separately as they sound like they are feeding off each others nerves.
Ride more assertively and be more aware, ride up into the bridle and keep the horses working, school continuously on the hack no slabbing along on a long rein. Get and keep control in a forward working manner.
Failing that is it heads up and go or heads down and go? I would look at adding something to the tack that only comes into play when needed, I would try my best not to but up as I feel it is too easy to create a hard mouth that way, whatnot add depends on how to horse is evading the bit.
 
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/update-on-tanking-issues.724054/

I had a couple of similar tanking incidents with my Cob X Connie a few years back. Similar to yours, he was steady and unphased by most things out hacking but managed to get away from me twice, seemingly out of nowhere. Take a look at my update thread if t helps, I addressed it by schooling in company for a while then slowly reintroducing hacking (initially with a stronger bit with two reins just in case). As others have said, it's important to establish and maintain control with these types, so that bogging off no longer becomes an option!
 
Thank you everyone! You've put my mind at rest... I'm feeling pretty sore today with various bruises and pulled muscles so his departure was quite forceful (despite two gloved hands gripping the reins).

twiggy2 - it was a heads up and go on the ridden incident and yes at the time the rider had him on a loose-ish rein. When I ride him I usually ride him up into the bridle, legs around him not dangling loose - but that's me & how I've learned to ride I guess. Having said that my rider was great she didn't panic and when she realised he wasn't responding to the reins she waited until she could steer him into a grassy embankment. She said the worse thing that happened was that she lost a stirrup but the 'oh shit' strap helped keep her in place!

Of course today he's been wonderful - working away in the school like a good 'un (it was heartening to see his run on what are rather unsuitable paths for fast work hasn't actually hurt him & his dodgy stifles!). Plan is to take him out on his well trodden hacking path from home until we're happy he's at peace. I'll then book a local pro to hack him out on the area we became unstuck on (she was actually there at the time with her horse but missed all the drama). He is ridden in a double jointed snaffle with a cavesson noseband but can be ridden in a pelham if necessary. It might be an idea the first few times out but I'll see how he goes.

Hopefully it's just the dirt bikes incident that worried him and if he can be taken round a few times without any incident he'll should soon settle back down. Its a fab place to hack especially when I'm looking to strengthen his back end (the vet actually recommended the place).
 
ride him in to a contact, pay attention to him, dont get off and let him do his own thing.....and i very much doubt he will ever do it again.

he wasnt bolting!
 
Obviously not a bolt, but knobbing off is still a sin. Personally I don't think you should have to have a horse into the bridle at all times or risk knobbing off - the horse should have sufficient manners to respond to the bit even if ridden on a loose rein (or, heaven forbid, held on a loose rein by a distracted handler on the ground). Obviously a horse which is tense / bouncy / threatening to misbehave should be ridden and handled attentively, and for some horses that will include a contact (though others settle better on a looser rein), but I'd rather know that I had some influence in the mouth either way - and if that meant bitting up, or introducing other tack to ensure that the next time he considers it, you can pull him up instantly, and thus, in time, return to lesser bits, I'd do it without hesitation.
 
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