Uncharacteristic Bolting

C

chasingmytail

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 June 2010
Messages
116
Location
on my way
Visit site
We've had our cob mare for just over a year and during that time has hardly put a foot wrong. But this week she's bolted 3 times. First time on Friday in the school after popping a small jump, the second time yesterday, again, after popping a small jump in the outdoor warm-up at a small indoor jumping comp (she was very strong whilst competing). Both occasions were "easily contained". However, the third time was this morning whilst out on a hack. This time it was not contained. There were three of us having a canter (the 2nd canter of the hack) when she just took off and I had NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. She's in a pelham but she just stuck her neck out and went and I just yanked on the reins till she gave in. This probably made her worse and with hindsight maybe I shouldn't have but I was either going to end up in a ditch or skidding around a corner of the field!! It's only the third time in a year that I've taken her on that particular route although I'm sure she realised she was on the homeward stretch.

This is really out of character especially as she doesn't like to be out in front but prefers to keep abreast at the front. I've always said she's as safe as houses but this behaviour is really baffling. Any ideas what could be causing this and any suggestions on giving me more control if it happens again?
 
Has anything changed in her routine recently - feed, turnout etc?

If it's a new 'thing' then I would be investigating the possibility of it being pain related first - vet/back/teeth check minimum. Tanking after a jump is fairly indicative of a pain response IME.

I also wouldn't class it as 'true' bolting, more tanking as she DID stop eventually when you pulled on her, a real bolter will go through fences instead of stopping. It's just as scary when you are on them but I wouldn't label her as a 'bolter' until you have investigated a bit.

Hope you get to the bottom of it :)
 
rhino said:
Has anything changed in her routine recently - feed, turnout etc?

If it's a new 'thing' then I would be investigating the possibility of it being pain related first - vet/back/teeth check minimum. Tanking after a jump is fairly indicative of a pain response IME.
Click to expand...
Second this reply.
 
rhino said:
Has anything changed in her routine recently - feed, turnout etc?

If it's a new 'thing' then I would be investigating the possibility of it being pain related first - vet/back/teeth check minimum. Tanking after a jump is fairly indicative of a pain response IME.

I also wouldn't class it as 'true' bolting, more tanking as she DID stop eventually when you pulled on her, a real bolter will go through fences instead of stopping. It's just as scary when you are on them but I wouldn't label her as a 'bolter' until you have investigated a bit.

Hope you get to the bottom of it :)
Click to expand...

Agree, our pony used to do this from time to time after a jump, often acompanied by a buck, tried several avenues and couldnt find anything wrong, daughter just learn to sit up well after a jump. Several years later a different saddler looked at her saddle and felt it was to forward for her shoulders and asked how well she jumped in it and we replaced it with a VSD, she never tanked or bucked after a jump again, just when she is feeling a bit whoopee on a hack!
 
rhino said:
Has anything changed in her routine recently - feed, turnout etc?

If it's a new 'thing' then I would be investigating the possibility of it being pain related first - vet/back/teeth check minimum. Tanking after a jump is fairly indicative of a pain response IME.

I also wouldn't class it as 'true' bolting, more tanking as she DID stop eventually when you pulled on her, a real bolter will go through fences instead of stopping. It's just as scary when you are on them but I wouldn't label her as a 'bolter' until you have investigated a bit.

Hope you get to the bottom of it :)
Click to expand...

Her routine/feed hasn't changed. She had her teeth checked in October and we also got a new (secondhand) saddle for her so I will get the saddler to check it. Thanks all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top