my horse bolted today, advice?

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maisie1988

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Hi

I got my horse 4/5 months ago and he has been fab. I got him to build confidence etc and he is the by far the best horse I have ever had.

He isn't well schooled, im on full livery where I have lessons with a very good instructor who is teaching me to ride correctly and collect him and work him correctly. Were at the very beginnings of this but very pleased how both me and my horse are learning.

He has never bucked, reared or done anything silly. He is very good natured etc. A little star on the ground as well.

He is fast and strong but never silly and most the time happy to plod about.

Today was my second time riding without my instructor. I either have a lesson, or a calm walk down the road with my instructor but only just got the confidence to ride in the school on my own without my instructor.

I have been doing cantering and although he is fast and sticks his head out he has always responded when I ask him to slow down or come back to trot etc. Today I asked for my first canter on my own, he was fine leading up to it, calm and relaxed, I asked him to canter, he did 2 strides and then pinned his ears back and went extreamly fast flat out around the school and I couldn't stop him. It was awful and I was panicking, it felt like forever. he nearly fell... Sharpe bends in the school and heading at fences etc scared me to death! (to anyone else it would be nothing, but to me is was scarey!).

he has been on a diff feed for 2 days, could this have been it? He seemed tight when I was asking him to bend around the right, could he be stiff and in pain causing him to panic or run from the pain? I don't know why it happened and im really upset. Another lady got on him and asked for a canter, he went to do it again and she turned him in a circle before he got speed and stopped him. Ill try this if it ever happens again. But im not reluctant to get on him again. I walked him around after and he spooked at a cat and went to run and again but stopped very quickly... this isn't like him.. he also jumped at something when I was tacking him up, again not like him.

Could the feed after 2 days made a big difference? He is normally on safe and sound and baileys no4 build up mix.. I changed the build up mix to grow crunch as adviced by another lady... its meant to be a bit fizzing, but my horse is so so doppy normally I didn't think it would make a difference to him?

What do you do in this situation? I wont be asking for a canter again!!??
Im hoping its the feed, then its easily solved, but what if it isn't??

:)
 
pain related would be my first guess ?
Perhaps he has been a hooligan in the field and pulled/tweaked a muscle some where ? is tack fitted correctly etc ?

Don't make a big deal of it and perhaps get your instructor to ride him after you have had him check over as you will freeze and panic most likely and cause him to react when asking for canter. A horse thinks in the now, not the past so forget about it next time you ask.

EDT- food may have an impact used to know a tb who if fed carrots or feed changed would turn into a snorting dragon :o
 
Phone your instructor, who knows you and the horse, and ask for advice. A bunch of strangers on a forum will give conflicting advice and you aren't experienced enough on the forum to know whose advice to trust. I'd also have a word with whoever is in charge of his feed about why his feed was changed.
 
No idea if it could be the feed - could be absolutely anything (spring is in the air and all that!) It could be the feed though - is it oat based at all? my sister's usually extremely laid-back-he's-almost-horizontal horse can react a bit oddly to oats (ie very giddy) so it could be the food.

What I would say to you is that it does not sound like your horse 'bolted' per se so you need to tell yourself this. A bolter is a whole different dimension of dangerous. Many horses will do what your did due to reacting to a spook, a painful twinge etc etc. Some just get a bit bored!! Lol. To me it sounds like he's a little uncomfortable and I would probably take a look at your saddle first - was it the one he came with, has he built up since you got him and could it now be pinching? I work on the basis there is a reason for a behaviour, a horse is not just naughty, it is reactive so yes, look at what's changed that could cause the issue.
 
thank you for your replys... yes the feed is oat based, maybe he reacted badly to this. I gave him his normal after today... maybe the grass as its starting to come up! Im worried something hurts him, I have had the saddle and bridle checked but I still worry they hurt him. but not sure how to know if they do? When I push or wiggle my thumb into his neck he twitches a bit like its sore.. I was thinking of getting a back person out?

If its the feed... he had it last two days but not today... would he be normal tomorrow if it was the feed lol? Or does it take a bit to get out their system?

:) thanks
 
My horse who had been near perfect for a year suddenly did this in January it was terrifying and I had a very very bad accident 2 years ago when my previous horse bolted so I went to pieces. I got our back lady out as it was so out of character and it turned out he was very tight through his neck and withers. She manipulated him and suggested I put a wither pad in as his saddle had dropped and best to wait until he was at his fatest before getting the saddler out. Mine didn't flat our bolt as I was able to turn him so he was listening it was more tanking off.

On Sunday he did it again although not as badly and although I nearly fell off I coped much better and got him through it. Back lady came out and sure enough his neck was sore again. She thinks he is jarring himself either screaching to a halt in the field or maybe in the stable but he has also been in more than usual because our fields are so wet and I think constant eating from hay nets has aggravated it so he is having hay on the floor now. There are other signs such as being extremely jumpy when tied up outside his stable and not wanting me touch the top of his head and if these happen again in the next couple of months I may get a vet out as seems to be happening rather a lot.

My horse is quite stressy on the ground anyway but he definitely gets worse.
 
My sister's horse was bedded on oat straw for a bit and even in a couple of days he was acting a bit of an idiot. We realised he must have been eating the straw so took him off it and he was back to normal. I think I change can be quite sudden. I would still query whether a back/saddle pinching issue though, although I would have expected some previous signs of this (head shaking, ears back, tail swishing) if this was something causing issue.
 
I would always have the back checked with any uncharacteristic behaviour.

I would recommend that but also, reading your post I wonder if you were a bit nervous (going solo without instructor etc) and if he picked up on that. You might find it helpful to discuss with your instructor and see if between you you can find a way to build up to 'going solo' in much smaller increments. Good luck :-)
 
My TB can react very quickly to food - too much sugar and he's a complete pain. Funnily enough, I also found that the ryegrass Horshage sent my ISH nuts and he's ususally pretty sensible. He had the Horsehage overnight and the next day was a spooky idiot - most unlike him. Stopped feeding it and he went back to normal pretty quickly. It can affect them and affect them quite quickly


I have a friend who does equine sports massage and she gives both of mine a massage twice yearly, a great way to pick up any sore, tight bits or niggles. Worth getting back checked as a good place to start.
 
My rule is - if you've changed something and the horse changes, stop the 1st thing you changed. So in your case go back to the feed you were using before.
Then I think you need to do a bit of research into feedstuffs and the reasons for feeding them. Don't just feed something because a friend does - feed it because your horse needs it. And remember to introduce new feed gradually over several days.
 
Well done you for staying on top!
I would agree to go back to the original feed.

When a horse hooks off like this and you are in an arena just haul on one rein and bring them onto an ever decreasing circle. Keep the inside rein high and tight and, if necessary, brace the outside hand on the withers. This will bring him down onto a smaller circle where he has to slow down.
 
If you are only riding your horse when instructor around, how often is he being ridden a wk ? He may not need any hard feed if just in light work. Also if this was your first time riding solo u may well have been very tense , gripping with your knees etc..... Tension may have had an impact on your horse?
 
it also sounds like you were quite nevous - 2nd time in 5 months to ride without instruction - its a big step to make

you may not have felt nevous, but it can be subconsiously done and horses pick up on this very easily, esp. if they are building confidence them selves.

your horse may have reacted to this fear and run off - not bolted - to get rid of what caused the fear in the first place - you, and your panicking made it worse.

its probably not a good idea to ride again without someone at least watching to give you support and help if you need it......by doing this you give yourself a mental safety net and will make you feel more confident!
 
Just keep it simple. When your instructor isn't around just walk and trot. Concentrate on small things and enjoy yourself. We all start somewhere. No matter how experienced you become, we all benefit from someone on the ground(instructor) that can see exactly what we're doing good or bad. And indeed to help us stop panicking if need be.

You got a fright and when you panicked you gave signals to pony to go faster. I assume you have someone helping you on horse care matters as well? Ask them if they think it would be a good idea for a chiro to come visit. Or that you'd like to treat your pony who can they recommend. Nothing worse than going up to the person who helps you out and saying the people on HHO told me I should do this. We all sit behind a computer and don't know you or your pony.

Terri
 
Is this the same horse that you asked for advice on being nappy and silly on hacks? You had some good feed advice on there so why change it?

If he is a good doer take off feed and see if he calms down.

are you still riding in the three ring gag? He might be finding the poll pressure too much.

I would get your instructor to school him and hack out and if he is still not right with her get vet to check him over. It seems from your previous posts you have been having a few problems with him that need a proper look at.

Good luck.
 
You probably gobbed him, or was feeling anxious riding him on your own. He picked up on it and panicked.

Stick to walking for now when you are on your own
 
To be fair to your horse, I don't think he 'bolted'. He just tanked off, which is a very different thing. I quite understand it was scary for you, but what you describe is not what I would class as bolting. Interested to see if anyone else agrees with me?

As everyone has said, undo the last change you made in his regime - the feed - and perhaps more stimulating exercise,like hacking out (with a more confident rider if you don't feel you are up to it). The poor horse is probably bored out of his mind.
 
TandD said:
it also sounds like you were quite nevous - 2nd time in 5 months to ride without instruction - its a big step to make

you may not have felt nevous, but it can be subconsiously done and horses pick up on this very easily, esp. if they are building confidence them selves.

your horse may have reacted to this fear and run off - not bolted - to get rid of what caused the fear in the first place - you, and your panicking made it worse.

its probably not a good idea to ride again without someone at least watching to give you support and help if you need it......by doing this you give yourself a mental safety net and will make you feel more confident!
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Yeah I think it definatly didn't help being on my own, I got a little ahead of myself wanting to have a canter! I do feel a millions better with my instructor.. not that I expect her to lead in the air and stop my horse doing something I cant manage lol but she makes me feel better.

I lunged him the last two days and I have a lesson tomo, so fingers crossed it all goes ok.

:)
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
Just keep it simple. When your instructor isn't around just walk and trot. Concentrate on small things and enjoy yourself. We all start somewhere. No matter how experienced you become, we all benefit from someone on the ground(instructor) that can see exactly what we're doing good or bad. And indeed to help us stop panicking if need be.

You got a fright and when you panicked you gave signals to pony to go faster. I assume you have someone helping you on horse care matters as well? Ask them if they think it would be a good idea for a chiro to come visit. Or that you'd like to treat your pony who can they recommend. Nothing worse than going up to the person who helps you out and saying the people on HHO told me I should do this. We all sit behind a computer and don't know you or your pony.

Terri
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:) my instructor is so fab, but she has become my safety net, and im a nerves wreck without her.. I think I will carry on with my lessons twice a week and lunging on the other days.. then maybe try again on my own in time. Im going to get someone to come look at his back as it will put my mind at ease as well. and back to his normal feed. he lunged well today and seemed my normal doppy Ollie, fingers crossed for tomo :)
 
slightlyconfused said:
Is this the same horse that you asked for advice on being nappy and silly on hacks? You had some good feed advice on there so why change it?

If he is a good doer take off feed and see if he calms down.

are you still riding in the three ring gag? He might be finding the poll pressure too much.

I would get your instructor to school him and hack out and if he is still not right with her get vet to check him over. It seems from your previous posts you have been having a few problems with him that need a proper look at.

Good luck.
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Yes!! Hello lol, same pony of course he is too perfect to loose (with the odd blip which he isn't to blaim for!) I have moved to a full livery yard where I have lessons 2/3 times a week now and we have come on so amazingly! He hasn't napped since, comes to me to catch him now, just the most perfect horse. Which is why I was upset about this. I was told to change his feed to get him to gain more weight... felt I should do as advice and respect their opinion. if that makes sence? I felt disappointed that he went off like he did... just because I had become to think I had found my dream horse and then he did that. I think the feed was a mistake, huge mistake actually. Also I think he may be sore in his neck.. feels stiff so im getting someone out to him. I have had his back looked at before when I was worried he was in pain but he was given the all clear just needs building up.

I feel I have come on massively and he is really trusting me now :) My instructor is so good and understanding. Both me and Ollie have a long long way to go, but I feel like a changed person. Just bummed out that ive been knocked now. Just want to find what upset him and sort it... feed and get his back/neck checked... maybe the grass is coming up too!!??

Oh and the bit.... no that gag lasted a few weeks, I thought it was horrible. so I put him in a hanging cheak snaffle. Been great, but a lady yesterday and today at the yard looked over him and his tack with me today and she advised I use a loose ring snaffle (it has a ball in the middle..) as she said when I lunged him he felt hard and stiff in the mouth and it didn't seem right. So I was thinking I would ride him in the rotary loose ring snaffle tomo? what do you think? I lunged him in it today with this lady helping me... she said he was better. what do you think?
 
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I think that you should stop listening to all the different people on your yard and constantly changing what you do according to what they say. You respect your RI, just stick to doing what she and YO(as you are on full livery) suggest.
 
jemima*askin said:
Phone your instructor, who knows you and the horse, and ask for advice. A bunch of strangers on a forum will give conflicting advice and you aren't experienced enough on the forum to know whose advice to trust. I'd also have a word with whoever is in charge of his feed about why his feed was changed.
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^^^^this^^^^
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I think that you should stop listening to all the different people on your yard and constantly changing what you do according to what they say. You respect your RI, just stick to doing what she and YO(as you are on full livery) suggest.
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This is really good advice, I was going to say the same, it is really important not to chop and change about, decide who you are going to trust, hopefully your Instructor and YM or YO and listen to others, but you do not have to do what they suggest until you have discussed with your Instructor.

So glad to read things have improved for you.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
My rule is - if you've changed something and the horse changes, stop the 1st thing you changed. So in your case go back to the feed you were using before.
Then I think you need to do a bit of research into feedstuffs and the reasons for feeding them. Don't just feed something because a friend does - feed it because your horse needs it. And remember to introduce new feed gradually over several days.
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^ Definately this. Good reply.
 
I agree with all the advice to go back to his original feed - neither he nor you need him to have extra energy at the moment.

If he looks a bit slim, I wouldn't worry too much, Spring is just around the corner and once the grass starts growing he will pile the pounds on! If your instrctor feels he needs more weight on then just give him more hay.

Ask your RI if she thinks he would benefit from a visit from a physio/chiro.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
jemima*askin said:
Phone your instructor, who knows you and the horse, and ask for advice. A bunch of strangers on a forum will give conflicting advice and you aren't experienced enough on the forum to know whose advice to trust. I'd also have a word with whoever is in charge of his feed about why his feed was changed.
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Exactly this. And definately change his feed back, just to rule it out.
 
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