sarah
Olympic Poster
Posts: 828
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Post by sarah on Dec 21, 2006 10:00:05 GMT 1
I can only ride my Welsh Cob (section D) on Sundays at the moment. He's on part livery which means the YO turns him out and brings him in for me every day. He's in quite a bit at the moment because of the weather, although he is turned out every day.
Trouble is, when I hack him out, he bolts if something scares him and I literally cannot hold him which is starting to scare me a lot!
Is there anything I can use that would stop him doing this or at least give me a bit more control?
He is ridden in a martingale and breastplate because of his very high head carriage, a flash noseband (not too tight) and a twisted fulmer snaffle. I may as well have cotton wool in his mouth.
Any advice appreciated.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
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Post by mags on Dec 21, 2006 10:05:49 GMT 1
What he like in the school doing transitions?Is he strong then?
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sarah
Olympic Poster
Posts: 828
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Post by sarah on Dec 21, 2006 10:42:05 GMT 1
No, not really. He works very well and listens to you. It's just he panics and bolts on the road.
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Post by julz on Dec 21, 2006 10:50:57 GMT 1
maybe he needs more work during the week... could you get someone to ride him for you? If you're only riding on Sunday's he's having a lot of time off.... what does he get fed? could this be cut down? he maybe "bolting" because he is so fresh, and is taking any excuse. (unless he's always been prone to take off)
I have no idea what a Twisted Fulmer Snaffle is, or how strong it is, would you consider changing his bit?
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Post by fin on Dec 21, 2006 11:01:02 GMT 1
Or do lots of desensitisation work with him. What's he actually afraid of? He probably would settle down with more work (not that there's enough daylight for that sort of thing!!!!) but if he really is scared then it might be worth addressing that. Lungeing/longlining him before you get on might help too
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Post by gem on Dec 21, 2006 11:05:19 GMT 1
try using a waterford snaffle, a twisted snaffle is something I wouldn't use but my holly bear went really well in a waterford and she is strong too
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natalia
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,103
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Post by natalia on Dec 21, 2006 11:16:12 GMT 1
a waterford is ok as a tempory soloution, but I owuld never use one in the long term as although they bring horses off the forehand, horses tend to start to rely on it and it isn't a good longterm soloution as once the mouth deadens to a stronger bit, you will have problems going to back to a normal snaffle. You will find most top riders with very strong horses esp xc phase eventers have their bits changed each competition, to keep their mouths soft, and they are only ridden in the stronger bits the bare minimum. The only real soloution for this sort of problem is to get your horse ridden more, ideally 4-5 times a week at minimum, and get some decent flatwork lessons with a good instructor. By learning how to control the paces in the school, and get your horse under you, you should be able to stop the problem before it starts out hacking. By working your horse soft and round, even out hacking, when he takes a hold you are in a better possition to say no, tweak the reins and get his head down, rather than letting him run on with his head up, with gives you very little control full stop. If you can't ride him this often, then seriosly consider getting a sharer, its no wonder he's fresh as he's getting so little work.
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ally
Novice Poster
Posts: 10
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Post by ally on Dec 21, 2006 11:19:30 GMT 1
i wouldn't particularly look for 'gadgets' to keep hold of him as if you think about it a horse no matter what size, if it felt like it, could run away and you would have no chance of keeping hold of it. i think instead you should look for the cause or reason he bolts.
why do you think he bolts? is he scared? is he napping. whats he like if you walk him out in hand? are you a nervous rider?
please correct me if I'm wrong but could you be expecting him to bolt at things due to him bolting in the past. for example if you see a scary object do you think o no hes going to bolt and start to worry?
do you hack alone or in company, how long have you had him? how old is he?
sorry for the millions of questions
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sarah
Olympic Poster
Posts: 828
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Post by sarah on Dec 21, 2006 12:47:38 GMT 1
He bolts because he's young and he's scared of everything! He's one of these whip round and ask questions later horses! He does nap, but I growl at him and tap him with my whip and he's usually OK then. I have had him for four years but he was loaned out for three and I have just started riding him again.
He's great in hand, the perfect gentleman. He also never bolts or naps if there is somebody either on a bicycle or walking with me. He loves to have somebody on the ground with him. Strange?
No, I usually ride in company, but that doesn't bother him. He will go back home if he wants to and leaves the other horse!
I am not a nervous rider, but I think he could make me one if he carries on. I think my problem is the traffic. It's not a busy road, but I do panic when I hear cars. I am in constant fear of being run over. They drive so fast round the corners where I live that it worries me. I try to ride very early in the morning, but then the deer and pheasants are about and he's off again!
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sarah
Olympic Poster
Posts: 828
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Post by sarah on Dec 21, 2006 12:50:50 GMT 1
I cannot get anybody else to ride him as everybody is at work unfortunately. He cannot be long lined because of an accident he had, but he's good at lunging. Perhaps I will try that before I next ride out.
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Post by Anne_Oxfordshire on Dec 21, 2006 12:54:36 GMT 1
Sarah, does your horse only bolt when something "scares" him at this time of year, i.e. when he's in lots? Or does he do it in summer too? I ask because you seem to be associating the two issues whereas I would have said they are seperate.
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Post by julz on Dec 21, 2006 12:55:40 GMT 1
couldn't you put up an ad for somebody to excersize him? not everybody works, or works during the day or even full time.....
If he's ok in company, sounds like it could be a confidence issue for him. try singing to him... and ofcourse lunging for 20mins or so before you ride him.
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sarah
Olympic Poster
Posts: 828
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Post by sarah on Dec 21, 2006 13:03:00 GMT 1
I don't know to be honest, I only started riding him two weeks ago. My singing might scare him even more LOL!
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Boony
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Post by Boony on Dec 21, 2006 13:18:32 GMT 1
Just wondering what he is being fed? could this be making the problem worse?
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dingbat
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Post by dingbat on Dec 21, 2006 14:08:43 GMT 1
As a rule - welsh cobs dont have high head carriages. if his head is up and his back hollow - you'll find it harder to stop him. have his back and teeth been checked?
i used to have to hack my welshy in a kimblewick. he used to get excited. but now hes better schooled hes in a snaffle. but stopping a frightened horse is a different thing. as well as a whole different issue that needs tackling. i'd keep hacks alone short and sweet for now and hack further in company. sounds like hes not done much and has confidence issues. and still isnt doing enough now. get someone to part loan him? if you dont have enough time at all and its ruining the horse then maybe its worth considering he'd be better off elsewhere? is he getting enough turnout? horses like that dont need to be in all the time because of weather and any horse will be fresh with little turnout and no exercise. what does he eat? they dont need mix etc. sends them looney. i cant even feed mine alfa a. they need a mainly forage diet.
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