Need Help!

[BigBud]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here as I deperately need help with my horse. He's a heavy shire/cob and a real dote (normally!), but I am having so much trouble with him since the summer. Basically he has started to nap and then bolts home, I have tried everything to keep him going forward, I've waited paitently, reassuring him etc. I've tried brute force with a dressage whip, I've tried riding circles but he always gets more ground than I do.
My second last hack out with him I finally dismounted and lead him for the rest of the way, and the last time out (two days ago) I brought a friend along on the ground, helped me with the napping but Bud was very excitable and finally I lost control and he tanked off with me.
He is a very strong horse I use a Dr Bristol bit, when he stops and refuses to go forward there is nothing I can do to push him on. He is 8 years old and we have been together for nearly 4 years, we have always hacked out alone. I have had his saddle, teeth and back checked and everything is okay, he was off work for a while as I was pregnant and lived out at my friends yard with his stable mate, his napping started after I brought him back into work....Sorry that this post is so long but I am at the point where I just don't want to ride him it is sooo much hard work. Has anyone any advice for me , please?

 

[MrsMozart]

Ah. The Backwards Going Cob

When he goes backwards, make him keep going backwards even when he wants to stop. I don't know your level of ability, but are you able to ride in open fields, then if he bolts push him on and on, then check, then push on again, then lots of transitions. I have found that cobs like to be kept mentally busy!

Do you have a friend who would be able to control him? Not casting nasturtions on your skills as a rider

What bits and noseband combinations have you tried him in?

Hugs. Being bolted with has to be one of the scariest things in the world!

 

[stencilface]

I would agree with the making them go backwards thing, it does seem to confuse them, and can work with even the trickiest (works on our welsh x pony - but now he can go backwards very quickly!) Not so sure about the gallloping round a field thing as have never tried it - but I can see how it could work if you could do it safely enough, and he is unlikely to launch over whatever fences/hedges are there.

Another thing we used to do as kids on strong ponies (though would never have classed them as bolters) was to cross your reins over their neck and pull downwards, again seemed to work - although I'm sure there are reasons why this is not good - it did work for us

 

[BigBud]

Thanks for the tips! I didn't think of making him go backwards, will give it a go. Unfortunately we don't have access to fields to push him on if he bolts, I hack on quite roads and through forestry, so that time he bolted on the road (eek).
He has the biggest head ever and I don't use a noseband, would this help? I had to use a copper ring bit (don't know the name of it) before when I got him first and then settled with the Dr Bristol I'm afraid I don't know too much about bits and nosebands?
I can draught in a friend who can just about ride any horse, and hope that that will help.
Thanks again!

 

[Booboos]

So sorry to hear you are having trouble, it's quite disheartening especially when you've had the horse for a while and this is a new problem.

If you are sure there is no physical problem, then I would try to deal with the bolting first of all because this seems the most dangerous aspect of his behaviour. Playing around with different bits or bridle combinations might help, or riding in an area where you can just sit in a circle and wait for him to get bored (then kick him on for a bit longer). Some supplements can help, I use a magnesium based on for one of mine and it really calms him down. I don't know how feasible this is for you but maybe try hacking with another steady horse to increase his level of confidence. If this is not possible, then maybe taking a step back and long-reining him so that you can send him forwards and go where you want to go. Asking a professional for help is also a good idea (I am not suggesting you are not experienced, just that a fresh eye might help). He/she can get your horse going on hacks and then teach you how they did it.

 

[Libbyn1982]

How long have you had him in a Dr Bristol? My pony used to bolt in one of those, we just put him in a plain old eggbutt snaffle with a flash noseband.

 

[ladyt25]

I would go with all the tips above and i would seriously think about getting yourself a stronger bit. You need to play around with different bits in my opinion. Beg, steal and borrow what you can.

My horse has a tendency to be strong - he does not bolt, would never run off but he can just lean and he is happiest (and i have better control/steering) in the 3 ring gag (only on the middle ring though). The bolting issue is what I'd sort first definitely even if you have to get a blooming double bridle or something on him. If he's a cob then i assume he does get his head down and uses his power against yours? Therefore a bit (poss with a gag type action) may help to lift his head up and then there's less chance he can run off.

As for the refusing to go forwards, that can be tricker as depends why he's doing this - sounds like is just him using his weight and general stubborness against you though. If he refuses to go forwards have you tried turning him round and reversing him in the direction YOU want to go? You could try this and then turn him back round, see if then he'll go forwards. If not turn him and reverse him again until he starts listening!

If he's doing the reversing then MAKE him reverse until he will stop then ask him to move forwards again. It's a battle of wills a lot with these things I am afraid. Do not resort to hitting or brute force as, although it is tempting to release your anger and frustration it doesn't generally have any real effect. You can never match your horse's strength, you can beat it with brain power though!

 

[stencilface]

Also depends on how he evades when he runs off, whether he sticks his head up or down. Some bits are good for the head sticker downers (dutch gags I think - don't quote me on that though!) and others for the sticker-uppers.

I would think a flash or drop noseband could be good if he opens his mouth or crosses his jaw to evade. And although a Dr Bristol is a harder bit, its only that if the horse thinks it is! I think waterford snaffles are good for horses that lean and tank off with you.

Napping is a pain though, and something that always needs to be worked through - if the horse wins once (or more) the situation always seems to get worse (in my experience anyway

) Maybe he is having a crisis of confidence when going out by himself after having a jolly old break with his friends? I find my horse (who is 8) is worse for napping (only half hearted really though

) when he has not been out by himself for a while, and seem to get more into the swing of it, and more confident the more I take him out.

 

[Cash]

Sounds very similar to my ISH (well half of my horse- the other half is Spooky Racehorse

) he's also in a Dr Bristol- or (as mentioned above) in an 3 ring gag on the middle ring for hacking. He also sometimes naps/bolts horrifically (see earlier posts

) but he is getting better, largely thanks to advice and support i recieved on the forum

(MrsM, looking at you here!!) When bolting, in my book anything goes- I ram my heels down (brings me deeper into the saddle) sit deep and, if necessary, cross one rein over the neck and take short sharp pulls with the other. It may not be the best thing for the horse, but with a big strong boy like mine, it's not exactly doing him harm, just reminding him i'm there! (don't know if its the same with yours) I've found that getting into a battle of strength (ie trying to pull him to a halt, hitting him) as said above, DOES NOT work! If anything, just makes mine more eager to keep going! Yours sounds like mine in that he is a stubborn b*gger who prefers to get his own way (not suggesting you let him!) And IMO letting mine gallop himself out doesn't work- being bred to hunt, and being reasonably fit, he'll just keep going!
Napping wise- i used to be COMPLETELY rubbish at dealing with it.. but am now slightly better..i hope.. agree with the backing up thing, ive been taught to do that when the idiot wont load and also for when he naps. Make him believe (even though you know you won't!) that you'll let him back up for miles if necessary, don't lose your temper, and as soon as he goes forward, loosen the reins and encourage him as much as you can.
Sorry for going on- this is one of the only topics on here i actually know something about!

good luck- i know how horrible it is!

 

[cavalo branco]

I'd say he's lost confidence going out on his own after being with a friend - is he kept on his own now? I'd recommend riding out with someone else for a few weeks - you can go out together and go your separate ways home-gradually making this separation longer. Once he has got his confidence back, I'm sure all the issues would resolve as long as you keep hacking out. I don't think personally that stronger bits etc. are the answer!!

 

[BigBud]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I wiil work on it over the few weeks and hope my nerves hold out!