Stupid stupid horses!

steph91

steph91

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why do horses just love bolting! its so unnecessary especially when you're just doing a nice collected canter and they want to go faster! I've decided bolting horses are like teenage boys that have just passed their test and pimped their car out, always wanting to go faster!

any tips on stopping the bolters?
-btw this my dad's 16.3 cobxtb (definitely more cob) that loves to hunt

and why when you do try and pull up the horse seems to go faster and really lengthen their stride:(

also bolting...very very terrifying but what a thrill and a giggle when you finally stop still on the horse:)

i'm now just sitting there no in the saddle or out as he's a known bucker, i'm also a further lemon cos you can't ride him with short reins cos that really winds him up, so i'm stuck
 
But he's not really bolting is he - he's just tanking off.

A real bolter, bolts blind and that really is terrifying :eek:

I am sure you don't anyway but don't canter in the same places everytime, pull on one rein and circle him as soon as he starts to go faster than you asked if you can't bring him back. Sit right back, deep in the saddle, use your seat and body to stop him not just your reins. Try to prempt him - stop him before he even thinks about going faster.

But it sounds to me as if you enjoy it anyway ;)
 
Agree with Ravenwood. There's a HUGE difference between being tanked off with and being bolted with, believe me. Fortunately it's only ever happened to me once but that was enough, can still remember the feeling now and it was donkeys years ago!
 
steph91 said:
and why when you do try and pull up the horse seems to go faster and really lengthen their stride:(
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Trying to get away from the bit? Horses naturally push against pressure so add to that the discomfort of a bit pressing hard on the mouth, you probably leaning back in the saddle to pull...

First stop I would say is to ask why is he doing this? There will be a reason and it wont be imo to hack you off or scare you. Look at discomfort from saddle, back, bit, feet etc. all physical reasons possible. Perhaps he needs to learn how to stop and slow down? I'm a carp rider but could you be in any way encouraging him to run with your aids?
 
so what would you define as bolting, because to me this is, he'll suddenly take off i can't stop, slow down or even turn, he has his head down and he is going and has no interest in the other horses, so if this is just 'taking off' what is bolting?
back, saddle, teeth, everything is fine, he has regular check ups because he started 'bolting' last season out hunting, so got everything checked, turned out saddle was uncomfortable, so brand new saddle and he's just started doing it again, so think its a trick he's learnt.
And i can't stop him from doing it as he just bombs off, either in a steady canter or walk, its quite scary but i can deal just don't want him to do it to my dad (recovering from big injury) so really need hints?
 
'Bolting' is usually caused by terror, the horse gallops off flat out and i mean FLAT OUT faster than you could ever imagine he could go, stopping for NOTHING! It is as though they turn blind - can run through wire, fences, hedges and ive heard stories of running straight INTO cars....!!! There is no sense of self preservation at all. Its like their brains shut down and legs go into overdrive. It is SERIOUSLY scary and could quite easily put you off riding for life!
'Taking off' is just the horse taking the mick out of you and doing what he wants to not what you ask.
 
I assume he's not 'taking off ' on the road - only on tracks / fields? Try avoiding the places he always takes charge. If that's not possible, make him walk behind another horse who is reliable & safe. If he jogs make him halt and wait for at least 10 seconds then ask him to walk on. Each time he tries to take charge go back to halt. He'll soon get the mesage. Good luck
 
I totally understand you as my mare did it for a while. I tired everything to stop her but it was useless,(tried pulling, dropping reins, laying down on her back which wasn't easy at that speed but I was trying to get her attention,I even tried leaning forward and touching her chest) but she would put her neck down and block it and stop when she wanted too.
I took her in the trailer a few times to the hills nearby and when she took off I pushed her as fast as she could go up the hill and made her keep going until she was knackered. It only took a couple of times and she soon got fed up. She never did it again even on the flat. I had kept her in a stables near these hills for several years and I think she was just bored riding on the flat across fields.
Good luck
 
minime said:
I took her in the trailer a few times to the hills nearby and when she took off I pushed her as fast as she could go up the hill and made her keep going until she was knackered. It only took a couple of times and she soon got fed up. She never did it again even on the flat. I had kept her in a stables near these hills for several years and I think she was just bored riding on the flat across fields.
Good luck
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Tried and tested method!! Did this when my boy tanked off on a beach (first time for him). He can tank.... but strictly on MY terms!!
 
I've only been bolted, and I mean bolted, with once. The scareiest thing ever. I was out of control but the worst thing was I knew the horse was out of control of itself.

Jane
 
minime said:
I totally understand you as my mare did it for a while. I tired everything to stop her but it was useless,(tried pulling, dropping reins, laying down on her back which wasn't easy at that speed but I was trying to get her attention,I even tried leaning forward and touching her chest) but she would put her neck down and block it and stop when she wanted too.
I took her in the trailer a few times to the hills nearby and when she took off I pushed her as fast as she could go up the hill and made her keep going until she was knackered. It only took a couple of times and she soon got fed up. She never did it again even on the flat. I had kept her in a stables near these hills for several years and I think she was just bored riding on the flat across fields.
Good luck
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Complete opposite of what I thought but I like this idea more. Got any large stubble fields nearby ?
 
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