Unstoppable horse, tears and a new bit ?

N

niagaraduval

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 June 2008
Messages
3,033
Location
Picardie France
Visit site
Hi,

I still have my french trotter, and when I first got him (4-5 years ago) as a 4 year old he was a bugger for p*ssing of with me when hacking.
Now, Having leant to know him over the years, gaining his trust and respect, he hasn't taken off with me for a long time (at least 3-4 years).

I took him out for a hack today (I only hack due to lack of school/field for schooling) and he took off. I started cantering as always and I felt him get stronger and stronger, so whilst being in control, I brought him back to a steady trot, and then asked him to canter again. I believe in bringing horses back and asking again for it correctly then letting them take control.
I asked again for a steady canter so off we went in a steady canter, but this wasn't for long as he put his head down suddenly and went for it (He is V. headstrong, and it was almost as if he was a charging bull). We went up every track in a flat out gallop, completely out of control, I was literally hanging on for dear life. He just kept following the track, at one point the track goes downhill and it's quite steep and slippery. I always walk here to prevent danger and injuries, He went galloping down it. I was so scared I just started crying and shouting at him, pulling with all my strength trying to sit deep and pull him up but his head seemed to be between his front legs (That's what it felt like anyway). So we went galloping down this hill, and at the bottom is a small road, used by the farmers to get to the fields. There was a tractor coming up this road at the time, I was so scared, I honestly told myself That something very nasty was going to happen.
As the road got closer and closer the more I started to panic, with tears streaming down my face I pulled and pulled and did everything I could to stop him. He stopped before the road, looked and trotted across very quickly, The lovely tractor driver saw a galloping horse and stopped. (I was very very thankful).
After trotting across the road, in a trot I managed to haul him round with a one rein stop and we ended up in the middle of a straw field, being in total shock and no longer able to feel any part of my body I got off and sat in this field in the middle of nowhere and sobbed with ned standing next to me completely knackered panting like a dog.
I can honestly say it was probably one of the most terrifying things I have ever experienced in my whole life.

I ride my horse in a waterford snaffle with light hands. I was always told this bit was very harsh if in the wrong hands, so naturally when he decided to take off I sat deep and enclosed him with my legs rather than hauling on his mouth, but as he got quicker and completely out of control I felt no option but to haul, pull try everything I could to stop him. Afterwards I was quite worried if I had done any damage to his mouth.
Anyway, After this scary story (I'm all numb just typing it) I wondered if anyone has any advice on what to do.

I am thinking of changing his bit to something else, but he is a puller, and he puts his head down and charges.
So I was thinking of a waterford gag, but I am quite wary of such a harsh bit, but It was obvious he couldn't bat an eyelid with the pulling or the bit as he ran right through it.


Thanks for any advice available :)
 
No idea on how to stop him but I wouldnt ride him alone until you can fix the issue.

Also see a recent post in NL about bolting horses xxxx
 
Oh my goodness, poor you. You must have been absolutely terrified and reading your recount left me with my eyes wide open in terror!

Yes,a waterford can be a harsh bit in the wrong hands but it sounds like your boy went totally numb to it. Have you ever tried him in a pelham? Possibly the curb action and poll pressure combimation could help you to get his attention when it is needed?

I have been unfortunate enough to be onboard a couple of bolters before and the only thing that has managed to stop them has been unlocking their necks by making a fist with my right hand and jamming it (knuckles down) on top of their neck then using this to secure myself to use my left hand leverage to pull their neck round. Not sure if you could have done this with your boy tho' as it sounds like he really lost it!

Maybe you should consider hacking in company for a while to build the trust up again? Good Luck x
 
Check back AND teeth before going any further.

Call me crazy but I am inclined to go opposite and use a hackamore.

My big lad was a pussy cat in a bitless bridle but an unstoppable tank in a bit.

(p.s. the worst was when as a 5 year old he'd had his teeth done in Jan and became a tank in Oct - teeth!)
 
Are you using a neckstrap?
My horse used to bolt when younger and still can be unstoppable in company in open fields where he thinks there is opportunity to gallop/race.
I've recently discovered that he's actually very controllable by just tugging on a neckstrap, rather than the reins. I can stop him from a gallop quite quickly using this method. If I try stopping him from the bit he tends to pull and get faster, although if you bridge the reins that does help. Over the years we've tried many bits, but I now ride him in a simple kind neuschule training snaffle which he reponds well to, apart from when very excited. I don't think a stronger bit is the best way to go.
Try a neckstrap in a safe area and see how he responds.

Sue
 
Thankyou for your moral support!

Regarding the pelham, I did buy one for him and Honestly I found he went well in it (being an ex racer I am pretty much always holding him back as he seems to never tire once he's off!)
and after some advice from a very experienced horseman (Very experienced my a** !-Only found out after he had been riding for 2 years!) I was told it was too strong for him, although I ride with light hands, and in this bit with the curb chain I had very good brakes. I was advised to take it back and get a fulmer, so me being me I did. What a mistake that was. So again after trying the fulmer for awhile I found it good for turning and using his hind quarters more freely, but a complete waste of time for brakes.
Hence the waterford snaffle, up until now I have never had a major problem regarding the bit, I have been using it for about 6 months now, but obviously it just isn't doing the trick.
I just cannot have him doing this again, I think I would probably have a heart attack.

The pelham would be a good option I think, But he is a real leaner, so the waterford helps with that. Also, the fact he puts his head down and charges, I was going towards a gag more than anything, But Seeing the range of bits available I am slightly lost on what to try.
 
I am open to putting a neckstrap on him, But I have a Breastplate to keep the saddle in place and I'm not sure If I would be interfering with the breastplate by putting on a neckstrap. It sounds good advice though - Thanks! :) I will without doubt look in to it. (I am pretty much willing to try anything to prevent him from doing it again).
 
That must have been so scary !! What a naughty boy :mad:

I don't have any answers but I second the getting the back and teeth and saddle checked, just in case there is any pain. Perhaps getting an instructor in to recommend a bit?

Good luck and big hugs for such a scare!
 
My lad is a leaner, and the more you pull the more he will lean. I think that's why the neckstrap works so well, nothing for him to pull against. It's a shame it's taken me so long to work out that it works so well with him!
I did once try a Cheltenham gag with double reins so that I could pick up the gag rein when needed. It is supposed to work with horses that lean and pull down. I've got to say I hated it, but I suppose it did work in that it did stop him, but he was never happy with me riding him on the snaffle rein so would get really worked up.
He used to bolt in different situations and he's done it with different riders and In the end, it was schooling in a very, very gentle snaffle that did the trick and being very consistent. However, this was after we'd had back, teeth, saddle, etc checked. I enlisted the help of a very good trainer and we really worked on him listening to ME at all times. I even spent a whole summer going through open fields at my pace!
I'd enlist the help of a very good trainer after you've made all the checks as it could be a pain/schooling issue. Good luck!
 
Hi, Thanks!
I do not have the slightest clue where I can purchase a neckstrap, but I will surely be searching on ebay lol.
I will try the neckstrap and keep everyone updated on the very naughty horse!
 
You say you managed to get him stopped with the one rein stop at the end?
Maybe you should teach him it well, so that you can do it from every pace. This way, if you feel him starting to run away with you, just pull on one rein to disengage the hindquarters. Obviously you dont want to do this from a full gallop, but if you can do it as soon as you feel yourself loosing control.
If you pull with both reins, horses tend to pull against you. If you bend the neck and disengage the hindquarters, your basically taking away his power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpDSbXPtzU
This tells you a bit more about it.
 
I have a horse that leans so I have him in a Waterford which is normally fine for hacking (he doesn't bolt) but when we go hunting he sticks his head down and just 'goes' :( I can't stop him, he gets so heavy, he is a nightmare.

So for hunting I put him in a mullen mouth pelham, it is brilliant - I don't even need to touch the reins, just lean back and he comes back to me :):)

It is a strong bit, but he respects it and we don't have any arguing, torn hands, aching shoulders and I'm in one piece - happy days :D
 
This happened to me. I took my horse out for a hack, in a waterford snaffle as he is very strong sometimes and he jumped beautifully in it. I got to the end of the fields, shut the gate and next thing i knew i was flying down a steep gravelly lane in flat out gallop. He'd done it before but not from the top and i didnt think anything of it because i knew he spooked, but this time it was out of sheer naughtiness. He jumped grates on the way down, set the horses off in the fields around him, galloped round the corner and finally stopped when he got up the next track to another field. I was mainly amazed i was still alive, seen as if he cant walk on tarmac without tripping up.

After this, i went to my riding instructor and she gave me a happy mouth american gag to try. Since trying this bit, i havent looked back. He has never pulled once and jumps amazingly in it. I like the bit because like yourself, i ride with light hands, so having the softer mouthpiece means that im not hurting his mouth, just putting more pressure on the poll which really works for him.

As for the neck strap, i would seriously advise you try it because we trained my old horse to do it and it worked really well. So well that when my rein snapped off the bit, i was able to stop her just with that from flat out gallop. Also, i find that pulling on the neck strap and turning your knees into the knee roll as hard as you can work as a good combination.

Hope that helps and hope he doesnt gallop off with you again!
 
You could use a stirrup leather as a neck strap.

If he went well in a pelham and you have light hands anyway put him back in one - for your own piece of mind if nothing else.

I once had a similar experience (not with my current boy) and it took me a while to get over it - had to go back to walking only in open spaces. But you will get over it.
 
Hi,
Thanks for the stirrup leather tip - Didn't think of that!
Will be going for a waterford dutch gag I reckon.
I ache all over from yesterdays antics, am up for a ride this evening though, not sure if ned is though!
Ideally I would like to canter him again in the same spot he shot off with me, to get my confidence back and make him canter properly this time, I'm just slightly afraid he'll do it again though!
 
Oberon said:
Check back AND teeth before going any further.

Call me crazy but I am inclined to go opposite and use a hackamore.
Click to expand...

I put a runaway horse in a hackamore thinking that air brakes wouldn't damage his mouth - unfortunately he tucked his nose onto his chest & forced his jaw until the steel chain around the back of his nose (which was wrapped in latex) snapped leaving me with absolutely no control whatsoever and the only thing that kept the bridle on was the throatlash. He's 17.3, bred to race & seriously quick so baling out wasn't an option - fortunately I was bit testing on a circuit gallop (also a good idea) and he ran for three miles before slowing up! It would have been carnage if I'd been out hacking.

Can I suggest (after getting back & teeth checked) that you find a saddler (or bit bank) who deals with Abbey Saddlery as they made me up a Nelson Gag with a waterford mouthpiece which had a copper roller in between each link/bobble so that my horse couldn't grab it and run. Also thinner nylon cord gag cheeks (like the Nathe ones) slip through the Gag cheek much quicker and you can get the brakes on much faster. If you speak to a bit specialist/loriner then they can advise you best.

At the end of the day a horse will always pull harder than you and it ends up as a battle. I would definitely suggest the safest place to try out new bits on an established runaway is on a circuit gallop.
 
I have luckily/unluckily only been bolted with once, again on an ex racer. I deffinatly recommend the neck strap. I just use a stirrup leather and if you have an elasticated breastplate that clips straight to the saddle just put it over this, slightly higher up the neck. If you have a hunting style breastplate in which a piece of leather sits on top of the neck you could just pull that as it acts in the same way as a neckstrap.

Hope you get it sorted. back/teeth checks def a must though and alot of walking round fields. good luck :) x
 
I am so pleased you posted this- i was just about to! I have a simelar issue with my gelding, no bolting yet but the only thing which stops him going is me pulling as hard as possible on the reins, which i dont want to be doing. Its getting worse and worse. I have light hands (usually!!) and he is in a snaffle, so i def need smething with more control. He is fine in the school but on hacks he pays no attention whatsoever. Sets his neck and ignores me. Teeth are checked every 6 months and horsey chiropractor came a few months ago, some stiffness in diff places but not so he should be running away. I will try a neck strap from now on before i consider changing the bit!!
 
To be honest I don't think a change of bit is going to help at all!!

I have never been bolted with properly. I have not been able to stop many horses but they were just full of high spirits as opposed of being in ''that'' frame of mind and did stop shortly after the gallop as opposed to going way on beyound.. So I feel for you that must of been horrible! I too would of got off and cried.

However I would seriously suggest getting someone like Michael Peace out. Rather then trying lots of bits which I really don't think is going to be the answer. So instead of trying to stop him in action, why not get someone who might help you stop him period. Plus if he offers advice on a decent bit, it's probably going to be a darn sight more helpful than anyone on this forum who doesn't know you or your horse and someone like him does this for a living so has been there and done it before. Lastly I do not work for him.. lol

Best of luck and well done for trying to sort it out and not giving up.XXX
 
heidirusso said:
To be honest I don't think a change of bit is going to help at all!!

I have never been bolted with properly. I have not been able to stop many horses but they were just full of high spirits as opposed of being in ''that'' frame of mind and did stop shortly after the gallop as opposed to going way on beyound.. So I feel for you that must of been horrible! I too would of got off and cried.

However I would seriously suggest getting someone like Michael Peace out. Rather then trying lots of bits which I really don't think is going to be the answer. So instead of trying to stop him in action, why not get someone who might help you stop him period. Plus if he offers advice on a decent bit, it's probably going to be a darn sight more helpful than anyone on this forum who doesn't know you or your horse and someone like him does this for a living so has been there and done it before. Lastly I do not work for him.. lol

Best of luck and well done for trying to sort it out and not giving up.XXX
Click to expand...

Good idea. Get a professional to help you. Someone who has experience with these sort of issues.
 
DEFINATELY get some lessons and advice on this. Don't go off cantering in the same field (I can see your logic as to why you want to) until you are sure you have the right bit... A repeat performance would ruin your confidence totally...

My event mare pulls and yanks down. She feels like she has had her head fixed down with draw reins as a youngster. Its like sitting on a rowing machine at the gym sometimes when going XC. A cheltenham gag works well with her, but you have to use two reins. Used properly it is only a snaffle until the horse pulls. My mare would pull against a mild bit until her mouth bled, but is soft and light in the gag.. I'm an instructor, and consulted my trainer before I decided to try it though..

A lot of horses that pull down are very on their forehand, and to get control back you have to get the backend under you again. This means actually pushing the racing horse on into your hand - which feels a very strange thing to do when you're feeling out of control, but works..
 
I'd say get his back and teeth checked. I would consider something like a pelham but using two reins if you can get the hang of it, rather than roundings. Then you have the curb rein and hopefully the poll action will be all it needs to restore order.
 
Update - Rode Mister naughty tonight. Came to a nice grassy field and went against what I was told.. I trotted him round and then squeezed him on he went into a lovely canter, It was like a rocking horse and when I wanted to stop He came back to trot straight away and wasn't strong or heavy. Very happy with how it went. Although the field was pretty enclosed there was only one way he could get out (the one track leading into it) so he didn't have the oppertunity to take off. I won't be cantering in through the tracks until I have a new bit though. It was good for both of us I think.

Ps - I put the stirrup leather on as a neckstrap and tried it out in a trot and it worked a treat he was much more responsive than with the reins. Not sure if it will be equally effective in canter but i'll wait for the new bit before trying as I'm not 100% happy with him yet. We won't be cantering in the tracks atall.

Thanks for all advice!
 
1life said:
Have you ever tried him in a pelham? Possibly the curb action and poll pressure combimation could help you to get his attention when it is needed?

x
Click to expand...

my mare trys to bolt and i have her in a pelham on the bottom ring when hacking and it hasnt solved the problem but it does stop her and it is quite a soft bit as it has a rubber middle and i can leave it on the second ring for schooling but it can be harsh when it is needed and it does stop my very stroppy mare who does exsactly when u said when she hasnt got the pelham
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top