Need Advice for a Friend...

[Mikaela]

Hey this is a quote from a friend seeking advice, any suggestions?


My gelding has learned a fun new trick that isn't so fun for his rider!
Ace started taking the bit in his teeth and bolting....
Anyone have any suggestions?

[joseph martin]

In my experince with riding & horsemanship , most people get on thier horse & immediatly go. Over time the horse, being a creature of habit thinks to him or herself , "Ok I'm wearing my bridle & saddle & as soon as someone sits into the saddle it's time to go. I've also seen that if this problem is not corrected that over time the horse will start walking off while being mounted, then while being saddled, then eventually the horse will start walking off while thier owner is approching them with saddle & bridle in hand. The best solution for this problem that I've found is as soon as you sit in your saddle , rather than riding off immediatly, have your horse to stand still for mabe two or three minutes while pulling your reins side to side flexing your horses neck. This will teach your horse a new habit & help to make him more responsive to your commands.

hope this helps: J M

[Dakota Sunrise]

Everything J. M. said makes sense. But until your friend's horse learns that being ridden doesn't mean he has to take off, here's what you do when a horse bolts (at least, this is what I was always taught):

When Ace bolts, don't just pull straight back on the reins and not let up. You have to pull and release, otherwise he will take the bit in his teeth and then you're scr**ed. Also, try to pull him in a circle. If his head is being pulled toward his tail, it will be next to impossible for him to continue running forward.

The best thing to do is to avoid giving him the chance to bolt. If your friend can feel him tensing up and preparing to bolt, tell her to start making him turn circles, back up, side pass, anything at all to get him concentrating on what you are asking him to do and his mind on something else.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

~Dakota Sunrise

[Elana55]

I had a horse that used to do this when I was quite young and inexprienced. I would be out riding and turn for hom and he would just take off. I never ran him towards home.. this was HIS idea. Scared the daylights out of me too.

Well, I started to teach him dressage. I taught him how to collect and put his weight on his hind legs and lighten his forhand. I got him to the point where he could canter in place he was so collected. The more he learned, the better balanced he became and the fewer his bolting episodes became.

It got to a pint where he would try his famous run for home and I would simply collect him and diffust the whole thing.

However, one day I took him 0ut bareback for a winter ride. I had a simple halter and lead rope to guide him.. no bridle. He was not in conditioned shape and a LONG way from home he decided to do the famous run for home.

He should have thought a little bit first, but he was a HORSE..

We were in a big field and the snow was fairly deep, so I said, "fine. You want to run, lets run!" and not only did I let him run I asked him to run faster! :eek: Very very shortly his not being in condition coupled with the deep snow took its toll and he wanted to stop. I made him keep going for a little ways.. not to exhaustion but not until I decided stopping was what I wanted to do. IOW I did not let it be his decison to stop. He was panting a bit when I did tell him to stop and then I turned him away from home and we took the long way back. It was sort of funny.. I recall that turn away from home and he just sort of sighed and totally deflated.. and I had to laugh at him. :p

He NEVER tried his famous run for home again. Ever. He was really a very good horse. I had him for 20 years. We had many excellent times.