He's so Strong (too strong for me!)

[xxx]

Agree with RMH, except have a bridle on too for insurance and safety purposes.
So are you just ignoring those of us who suggested it might be a good idea to not ride on the roads for a while? Or suggested ditching the twisted snaffle?

[kya]

Yes all this talk about bits is not a solution I agree. If over 1000lbs of horse wants to go, the contents of his mouth with not stop him. Great advice about checking position. Hope things work out, I know confidence is a fragile thing and I'm not over a bolting incident at 11!

[sandalfarm]

I am inclined to think that it is lack of confidence in yourself too. This is what is happening with my little pony that I have now owned for 5 weeks. He would follow another horse probably but I don't have that option. He started bolting for home and is extremely strong. I turned him into the wall on the other side of the road to stop him the 10 or so times this has happened. I was beginning to get nervous with him.
So, I have spent a week walking on the same route, about 30 minutes, with him in hand. Then rode the route. It would have gone alright except some horses saw us and bolted and I had to get off. However doing this preparation on a safe route was working.
We are back to walking as his shoes came off yesterday. I am seriously thinking of moving him to somewhere that I don't have to ride on the road. I just don't have the courage for it!

[bootz]

Hi Sarah
My Welshie is exactly the same but at this time of year only. This is when we have most of our "unscheduled departures!!" and it doesn't matter which bit we have in, if we're going that's it!!! I have put it down to being at night and less exercise (3 x shortish hacks a week.) Have cut her feed right down to a forage based feed and experience has definitely taught me that the more she is worked the less spooky and excitable in company she is, but that's life and we go with it!! She also has a high head carriage and can hallow backed - this is until she's settled in, relaxed and her eyes have come off their stalks, which takes half an hour at least into a hack or schooling session.

[misty]

O/h's new horse hasn't done much hacking out. This has made us realise how much good all the walking in hand did before Rosie was backed. I used to walk her miles and did ground work when there was space. The ground work keeps them ocuppied and if you feel worried just practise back up. Even after she was backed I would take her in hand to large puddles and flooded road as she is not keen on water (Arab trait). It gives horse and owner confidence in each other. Try doing some walking but look out for places you could mount from an other day and if the mood takes you pop on.

[jen1]

xxx said:

Agree with RMH, except have a bridle on too for insurance and safety purposes.
So are you just ignoring those of us who suggested it might be a good idea to not ride on the roads for a while? Or suggested ditching the twisted snaffle?

im not sure if id be riding at all, the bolting is only a small part of what is really going on, and i think it needs addressing, and soon before you get hurt Sarah!, i do rather feel i have waisted my time, typing suggestions, and theories, though i do realise its your horse and its upto you, just stay safe what ever you deside,

[kya]

I think Jen's right- bolting is a serious matter, a very serious matter.

[jen1]

just another thing, sorry to go on about it, is my horse is shire cross and bleedin strong with it, he has always been too strong for me, so i put him i a softer bit and reschooled him to stop off my bum and legs ect,,

[rosemaryhannah]

Yes, Jen1 - exaclty!

[spanishmustangsuk]

A horse that bolts is very dangerous, and I have to agree wih the others that you need to stay off the roads until it is resolved.
The best way I know to stop a horse bolting is one rein control. Pull the head round one way and get him in a tight circle. Do it as soon as he starts, not when he has his head set and is picking up speed. Most people pull on both reins to stop a horse...you will never stop a bolting horse that way. Furthermore, if you are already using a sharp bit, the added pain the bit is causing, will make him run even harder. If you can get him in a tight circle, he will still be moving his feet, but not going anywhere, and that will be a lot safer for both of you.
But, before you even ride him again, do some ground work with him, plastic bags on a stick, walking by and over tarps etc, like someone suggested. But more importantly get him to give to pressure. It seems to me that resorting to stronger bits means that he is pushing against pressure, rather than giving to it. If you have him giving to the slightest pressure on a halter, do the same with pressure on the reins. Remeber to release at the slightest try. He should be light as a feather in your hands when you eventually ride him...otherwise he is not safe to ride yet.
Someone said long reining wasn't an option...I missed the reason for this. If you can long rein him, after you have done all the schooling work, that would be perfect. It will give him confidence to go out without a lead, and keep you safe, should he spook and try to run...if he does, drop one line and hold on to the other one to turn him.

[janetgeorge]

The best way I know to stop a horse bolting is one rein control.

drop one line and hold on to the other one to turn him.

Highly dangerous - as phrased. Yes, you use one rein to pull up a bolter, but you MUST keep a good contact with the other. Otherwise you'll just pull horse's head around, and possibly pull the bit through its mouth (a full cheek bit is best for runaways for this very reason.) And - believe me, horses can gallop pretty fast with their nose on your knee - just makes it even more dangerous as they can't see where they're going.

And I agree with spanishmustangsuk re long-reining - it's a very useful way to deal with a horse who runs away - PROVIDED you have a safe place in which to teach it and that you only start long-reining it on quiet roads when you have a helper.

[Ryan&Dizzy]

i agree with the one rein thing... my horse can continue at a pretty decent pace canter even tho his nose is on my knee...he just trips up more! i must say tho it did help to start with to get the bolting sorted (now he just gets a little over excited sometimes)

hows it going OP weve not heard much from you

[kya]

Turning in tight circles is not an option if bolted with on the roads- another reason not to attempt this until your horse is obedient and calm. Kya.

[jen1]

and do you know all i have to do now is block with back, stomach, legs muscles and he knows not to even try,. schooling must be the way forward, im by no way angelic rider,but i used to stop with 1 rein about 20 years ago, surly things should have moved forward in that time?

[sarah]

For the first time on Sunday I rode him in a loose ring jointed snaffle and he was superb! The only thing was: as soon as we got on the road two scrambler bikes came past and he whipped round to have a right good look. That was OK because he didn't bolt.

We then went half a mile along and this farmer let out his herd of Alpacas, which he's never seen before. His eyes bulged out of his head and he dodged around the other horse I was with. But that was OK too because he didn't bolt.

The only time I had a problem was when we turned around to come home and he jogged all the way back, but didn't bolt!

Hopefully he will improve with time and road experience. He did all that and when we got home I hadn't even put the flash on!

He is a big strong horse though and I am worried he'll bolt into the path of car.

Does anybody have any experience of the Myler Combination bit? Richard Maxwell rode him in one a few years ago and he went OK in that, but I am not sure?

Thanks for all the hints guys, I am working on them all!

Happy New Year.