Views about known 'Bolters'....

Illusion100

Illusion100

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How comfortable do you feel about being around horses that bolt on the ground and/or under saddle?

Say you were handling/riding a horse and a known bolter was either nearby in yard or brought into school to be ridden or lunged. Would you remove yourself and your horse asap incase Bolter collided with you/your horse/your horse panicking by said bolter or carry on aware of potential risk?

Would you advise YO/YM of concerns, if any or would you chat to horse owner?

What I describe by a 'Bolter' is a horse that suddenly ***** off and doesn't care what is in it's way. As in dangerous.
 
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My view a serious bolter = bullet. Sorry to be blunt, but that's it in a nutshell. A bolter is extremely dangerous.

But being around one - why is that an issue ?? Do not understand.
 
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Rather random question ! I would carry on as normal, why would a horse who had bolted before be a risk to you ?
 
Hmm, I think this would be a case of I'd need to see the horse for myself to make a judgement to be honest. I've seen horses labelled as dangerous, or bolters etc and they've turned out to be fine, they were just mis-managed in previous situations.
 
I think the question was about a known bolter on your yard, not what to do about the horse itself ? Or maybe I'm confused .....
 
My horse wouldn't panic, I generally carry on regardless of other peoples battles/ dramas but if I thought we were likely to be collided into, I'd speak to the YO/YM eta - or perhaps the owner actually. Not sure which, maybe both?
 
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If it was a true bolter, bullet or field. You would not get me on one for love nor money. And if it hard form for doing it handled or in the field it wouldn't be safe to be around.
 
If it is a true bolter, not just a horse that takes off at times when it gets spooked, then the YO should, if they are doing their job properly, know about it as it would be hard to keep such behaviour hidden someone on the yard will be talking about it.
I do think it is a label over used now for any horse that has taken off at some point that is not really bolting just running until it takes stock or the rider regains control and it slows down, bolting in hand can happen but usually once they get loose they slow down and stop running fully aware of what they are doing, they may bump into something or run at another horse but rarely mean harm and will usually stop then.

A true bolter will usually run until they can go no further going through anything that is in the way and there is nothing anyone can do to stop them, they need a bullet.
 
It is a horse that for many reasons, bolts. Whether spooked, excited or just feels like it. Problem is, it does not care what is in it's way. Anything in it's way either has to move or get mowed down by it.

It does not run 'til it drops though, it bolts because it can. But if a horse/person is in it's way it will not alter it's path.
 
Illusion100 said:
It does not run 'til it drops though, it bolts because it can. But if a horse/person is in it's way it will not alter it's path.
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That does not necessarily make it a TRUE bolter - hell, I had one who ran through a brand new 5' timber gate - snapping it in two. It was just a silly panic moment and he's not a bolter. And I was run down 2 weeks ago by a couple of pregnant mares who spooked at something - and didn't see me properly until it was too late (and I'm not small!)

A true bolter goes for NO reason - and doesn't stop if there's a 10' high brick wall in front of it! I've known (and ridden) 2 in a very long life-time. Bailed off both - and never rode them again. One was later found to have a brain tumour.
 
I wonder if it actually matters in this situation whether a horse is a true bolter or not. If it runs at people/horses knocking them down then it's dangerous.
I agree it could be lack of good handling but again it doesn't matter. If he's done it a few times the Said horse is dangerous! Simple!
I would keep well away. My mare is a saint and will not react when others are being stupid but I wouldn't go in an arena or be anywhere where we could end up in its path

I would also expect YO to speak to owner and make sure horse was always handles in a way it couldn't harm others
 
JanetGeorge said:
That does not necessarily make it a TRUE bolter - hell, I had one who ran through a brand new 5' timber gate - snapping it in two. It was just a silly panic moment and he's not a bolter. And I was run down 2 weeks ago by a couple of pregnant mares who spooked at something - and didn't see me properly until it was too late (and I'm not small!)

A true bolter goes for NO reason - and doesn't stop if there's a 10' high brick wall in front of it! I've known (and ridden) 2 in a very long life-time. Bailed off both - and never rode them again. One was later found to have a brain tumour.
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This.
 
We've got a reactive horse on our yard, think rears, runs when schooled/ led and I keep out of its way, exit school etc., keep me and mine safe whilst acknowledging that the rider is trying to get over the issues. I've got massive respect for their efforts and so I think has everyone else, sensitive sharing of the space whilst aware they've got a lot more to handle than I could contemplate EVER!
 
regardless of true bolter or not, if it is a horse you are not comfortable being around then yes you avoid it where possible. if it has previously caused problems to others in the school or on the yard then yes i would expect the YO to take steps to ensure everyone's safety. if it is more a perceived danger and actually hasn't hurt or damaged people or property then it could be argued that it is your perception of it which is the issue rather than the horse and i wouldn't expect a YO to take much action.
 
Ibblebibble said:
regardless of true bolter or not, if it is a horse you are not comfortable being around then yes you avoid it where possible. if it has previously caused problems to others in the school or on the yard then yes i would expect the YO to take steps to ensure everyone's safety. if it is more a perceived danger and actually hasn't hurt or damaged people or property then it could be argued that it is your perception of it which is the issue rather than the horse and i wouldn't expect a YO to take much action.
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That :)
 
Carry on as normal, you cant say when it is going to do it, just like you cant say you wont trip over a brick, its one of those things. But i personally would not own a confirmed unreschoolable bolter, it would get pts for its own good.
 
I think I know what you mean OP - a type like mine!

He's retired now but he can be dangerous both ridden and on the ground because he's a panic merchant and when he flips, he's in a blind panic and would run through or over people and things...

I managed him by always being cautious - I didn't share schools except by prior arrangement with a friend on a steady horse as a training session. On the yard, he was never left tied up and unsupervised and I shut all gates. He was always led (and still is!) with a leadrope around his nose. At shows he stayed on the lorry until it was time to warm up and he went back on the lorry after classes. It wasn't a major problem because I knew him well enough to know when he was getting upset so could either calm him or remove him from the issue. He's not a bad mannered or malicious animal, just a complete over reactor but that doesn't make any less dangerous when it does kick off.

IME having a horse like this is hard work, not impossible by any means (I've done it for 18 years now!) but you do have to take more responsibility for other peoples actions then you would normally. Mine panics when people around him are nervous so you have to make sure the squealers and screamers, as well as the shouters are kept away - you don't allow them to handle him nor do you ride with them. You're the horrible person who insists that all gates are kept closed and that other liveries keep their kids and dogs close. Your horse gets blamed for all upsets even on the rare occasions that it wasn't his fault! However if you do have an animal like this you do IMHO have to be very on the ball at all times as when it goes wrong, it can go very wrong very quickly.

Just a POV from the other side...
 
i ride a horse that used to be a bolter. she was sat on and walked round the lanes at 4yrs then at 5 her owner sent her to be used at a riding school but wasnt honest with the instructor about her education. first lesson she had she panicked and bolted. (she had never been asked to trot with a rider on let alone canter or jump) plus having 7 other horses with her blew her mind. needless to say she wasnt used again and everyone called her dangerous. i worked with her starting from scratch and then gradually introducing more horses when she was ready and now she is a gorgous ride. unfortuantly her reputation is largely known as a "dangerous bolter" so many people stay away from her and if im in the field riding then they will use the school and vice versa. her main test is coming next month when i take her to a local show but i believe she is ready and we will take it slow and steady.

i can understand when the OP says about endangering others as if a horse was to proper bolt then they do so blind increasing the chance of getting "run over" so to speak. but it wouldnt stop me from riding in the same arena as long as you are aware and i found people coming to close when passing used to set mine off so have a little consideration and it should be ok.

NOT ALWAYS but most bolt from fear/pain so personally i would check with the rider of the "bolter" before you do things like dragging poles/wings out so they can move away out of a potentially "scary situation"
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone!

Owners do try training the horse, dually, chifney, bridle etc but ineffective if the horse decides to go. The horse is also aggressive towards other horses so has individual paddock.

Do not consider the horse to have any neurological disorder i.e. Misfiring neurons/lesion/ tumour in brain. It is just a bully and does not care what is in it's way. It has bolted through gates, fences etc and also double barrelling at anyone it flies past.

It is most definitely a training issue, owners not experienced enough but they feel as he only does it maybe 1 or 2 times a fortnight it isn't that bad?

Would suggesting sending horse to a Pro be rude?
 
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Goodness from your description OP I would be avoiding the horse as far as possible. Problem with suggesting people send it to a pro is that it will come back again and if they don't continue with the right handling and riding it will just go back to the same behaviour.

With the behaviour you describe (e.g. the double barrelling) I would have a word with the YO and say you are concerned it is a safety risk and can she intervene to ensure the safety of the other liveries.

Hope things improve!
 
This is crazy - the YO should immediately get this sorted, as this horse is a danger to humans and horses ! I hope she is well insured !

If a YO was allowing a horse like this to be on a yard, i would move immediately, without giving notice. I had a pony that had it's leg kicked right off by a known kicker - never again would I be on a yard with one.

OP - just re read your first post, and this just does not make sense. You only mention "chatting to the owner or YO" there, not the risk that you are describing now ?

I don't understand your post, or what you are asking.

Annoyed.
 
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Shysmum said:
This is crazy - the YO should immediately get this sorted, as this horse is a danger to humans and horses ! I hope she is well insured !

If a YO was allowing a horse like this to be on a yard, i would move immediately, without giving notice. I had a pony that had it's leg kicked right off by a known kicker - never again would I be on a yard with one.

OP - just re read your first post, and this just does not make sense. You only mention "chatting to the owner or YO" there, not the risk that you are describing now ?

I don't understand your post, or what you are asking.

Annoyed.
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I was asking views about peoples opinions on 'bolters' and how they feel about subsequent safety concerns they may or may not have regarding themselves or their own horses etc.

With regards to my use of the term 'chat', this simply meant having a conversation. If I had typed 'confront' instead of 'chat' would this have made a big difference?

In my OP I described the horse as dangerous, can't see how I am now describing a different risk?

Annoyed.
 
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Think it was pretty clear what the question was/is and opinions were expressed, it's a tricky subject.

Not annoyed , nor see why anyone should be! it's a forum lol
 
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