What does Bombproof mean to you?

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Parkranger

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Following on from Jo's post below, I'm interested to know what you call bombproof.

I call my boy bombproof as he doesn't spook but he is a bit of a bucker and can be a bolshy in the stable if in a mood - certainly wouldn't suit a novice/nervous rider (although he's certainly made me feel like both in the past!)

My mum's interpretation of a bombproof horse is a real plod that doesn't ever put a foot wrong.....

What do you consider bombproof....?
 
I tend to agree with your Mum. Bombproof means, to me, something that won't bat an eye whatever. Doesn't spook or shy and is completely reliable.
Do they exist??
 
Heavyweight hunter on my yard is bombproof. He is an absolute gentleman, exceptional in traffic and generally not bothered by anything really. Your smallest child could ride him, as could your granny.

He is not a plod by any stretch of the imagination - just an allround nice person.
 
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perfect in traffic and unflappable under saddle (so doesn't buck) is my interpretation.

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Then my horse must be bombproof
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I consider my boy bombproof - if something makes him jump, he jumps, but he has never spun around, reared, bucked or refused to go past anything scary (even 3 articulated lorries in a row)
 
ah see now Alfie was the most bombproof horse we ever had to the point someone dropped a paint pot on his head one (joys of people painting the indoor school whilst it's in use) and he barely even flinched.

Where as Garfield who was a doddle to ride would occasionally whip round at a bin bag, hence not bombproof in my book.
 
Bombproof to me is a horse that never bucks, never tanks off, doesnt spook, good on roads,and never fizzy. My first ever horse would fall into this catagory, I think he was in a coma most of the time !! Have a 3/4 TB now who is far from a novice ride, even though he is gentle and laid back and a dream to handle on the ground, and most of the time great to ride, his brain can still dribble out his bottom and he gets sharp with the wrong rider on him.
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To me Bombproof means 110% in everything, takes good care of the rider and knows its job.
Can take it onto the roads in the heaviest of traffic and wouldnt bat an eyelid.
Never bucks or rears, spins or kicks, could trust with a newborn baby or your granny.

I know the mare in my post below prob wont be any of that but it could be worth a decent look!!!
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CHLOE!!! Equally happy at dressage or handy horse or in a gymkhana game. Unflappable, steady and reliable in any situation - in the school, hacking on roads or across fields, and can be left alone at shows etc.
To me it's a horse you would be happy putting your granny or baby on!
I wouldn't necessary expect a bombproof horse not to shy or react, but I would expect that they did it in a predictable way and with slow movements!
 
I agree with your mum, a horse that doesn't bat an eyelid at anything. I used to have a bombproof TB when I was 14, we bought him as an unbroken 4 year old and he never spooked at a single thing. I used to hack him out on our own with no problems ever. The one I have now spooks at his own shadow, and one day spooked at the same feather in the school 20 times!!
 
I don't honestly think your mum's definition of a bombproof horse exists... apart from a dead horse. At the end of the day they're animals, and will always retain the flight instinct.
It's just that some horses are less responsive, and stop running sooner than others, and a bombproof horse will normally stop before it's got started
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I also have to agree with your Mum, my TBx is what I would describe as bombproof, she is by no means a plod but is would never do anything horrible if she thought it would harm you. World War 3 could start at her feet and she wouldn't bat an eyelid. On the rare occasion she has been naughty and thrown a buck or got upset if she unseats you she will stop in her tracks while you straighten up!!!
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I love my pony
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That's the thing, I don't understand how people can sell a TB as 'bombproof'........

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Why not Both my TB's are bombproof i would trust anyone on them.
 
My old horse Murphs I had a few years ago was bombproof...he did do it once when he slipped on the road, but basically he was completely unflappable in the 4 years I had him. Was very quiet, didn't have the energy or desire to ever spook
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He was great on hacks, he would go first or last no problem and he never bolted with me. My Dad also rode him and he's a complete novice and my sister who was incredibly nervous. A few times on hacks when Louis bolted with me if my Dad/Sis were riding Murphy they had no problems getting him to stop even if I was galloping off into the distance with Louis
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He popped jumps happily, and was great on fun rides etc
 
What they've NEVER put a foot wrong, never spooked....I'm not saying TB's a dangerous but they all seem to have moments like most other horses!
 
Good in traffic, easy to handle. I dont believe there is a perfect horse and would be willing to accept certain things, but riding out on the roads is the most important to me, so good in traffic would be at the top of my list.
 
To me, bombproof means reliable. Most horses will have a moment at some point in their lives ie my cobbie barely bats an eyelid at things but did a complete 180 the other day at a plastic bag in a hedge(that bag had been in the hedge for weeks and she'd never bothered about it before) but the most reliable of horse may do that sort of thing. However, I can say that the chances are she won't do that sort of thing..that to me is bombproof.
 
I think it's a bit unfair to say a TB cant be bombproof. I used to have a 17.1hh TB and he was a gentle giant and very sensible - and he was an exracehorse and bombproof! The TB i have now is also an exracehorse and he is also very sensible and laid-back and anyone would be safe on him. I personally think crossbreds or warmbloods can be far more quirky than a TB. It just seems a bit unfair to stereotype TB's when the majority are very laid back and sensible!
 
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I think it's a bit unfair to say a TB cant be bombproof. I used to have a 17.1hh TB and he was a gentle giant and very sensible - and he was an exracehorse and bombproof! The TB i have now is also an exracehorse and he is also very sensible and laid-back and anyone would be safe on him. I personally think crossbreds or warmbloods can be far more quirky than a TB. It just seems a bit unfair to stereotype TB's when the majority are very laid back and sensible!

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I'm not stereotyping - I live in hope that there are sensible TB's out there! I wouldn't say Ty is dangerous (unless he's not being worked) and I suppose once you understand their quirks you work with them as opposed to making them worse ie, lots of work, routine, right feed, firm but kind handling....

Maybe it's just because my boy is only 8 and hasn't done much - he does have a baby 'quality' about him.

I love them though have to say and he's the best horse I've ever had on the roads.....
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