How do you stop a bolting horse?

Laura F · Well Schooled

How do you stop a bolting horse?

Ann Crago · Foal

WOW...there are all kinds answers on this one...but I'm not sure if there IS a one solution asnwer....In my humble opinion.....it depends on too many things for there to be one answer...there are all the standard machanical moves...The BEST chance is to know your horse to the point you can distract and stop him BEFORE he bolts...And his training needs to be such that he should be VERY convinced that a circle can shut down a run.
Good training WAY BEFORE you ever take him out in that kinda situation is what I would do..and do try to do...It guarantees nothing...but gives you a chance....But in the end ,for me,
the only thing I absolutely would not tolerate in my own personal horse is a bolter...The thought of it scares the bajebas out of me....If he has that little regard for his "partner" he is no good for me ( that's just my own "line in the sand" and deal breaker !!!) I'm sure there are many more brave people than I am out there....but I don't feel a bit guilty for having my own personal standard of expectations...

whill · Yearling

I was taught by a very good coach that you take one rein in one hand and brace the other on his neck and drag him around. I have used that approach when my holrse has been really spooked by something. However I've never had a horse that was a 'bolter' as such.

sedonasilver · Advanced

The good old one rein stop!

You should teach your horse how to do it, its much safer this way as opposed to just surprising it but ripping its head around to your knee one day if it bolts on the trail.

http://www.horseproblems.com.au/one_rein_stop_page.htm

Take a look :)

-- Edited by sedonasilver on Friday 22nd of October 2010 01:45:38 AM

csherrenbrueck · Yearling

sedonasilver wrote:

The good old one rein stop!

You should teach your horse how to do it, its much safer this way as opposed to just surprising it but ripping its head around to your knee one day if it bolts on the trail.

http://www.horseproblems.com.au/one_rein_stop_page.htm

Take a look :)

-- Edited by sedonasilver on Friday 22nd of October 2010 01:45:38 AM

I second that having on occasion needed it and discovered it works like a charm, don't let 'em go forward.

Hint_Of_Magic · Yearling

There are so many ways of doing it, so I think what you do depends on the situation. The ones I've experienced have always been in the arena rather than on the trail. But I've heard of doing a tight circle, running the horse into a wall, and I've even had someone run their horse into me! (I was on a horse awaiting my turn to canter over a year ago, and the person couldn't stop.) Of course what you decide to do depends on the situation you're in.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

I was taught the pulley rein where you brace one hand on the horse's crest and check-check-check with the other rein, It did work with one horse I had, but with another horse I had, he threw his head in the air and grabbed the bit, so I could NOT stop him. I ended up steering him away from the barn and he slowed down. It was an awful experience

-- Edited by Barbara F on Saturday 23rd of October 2010 10:59:53 AM

Mykids · Yearling

Why is he bolting does he do it out of fear or could he be in pain from the saddle or bridle?
Most horses do it for a reason. A friends did it every time she would use her saddle bags, she worked with him in a round pen with them on for a while and he was fine.

Ann Crago · Foal

Yup....I agree with everyone....BUT....Bolting is not something I would tolerate from my own horse....And yes the best way to have ANY chance of control is training him to believe a circle WILL work..( like the way elephants can be trained down to believing a small rope can hold them..)
Train it and use it in an arena...out in the middle of nowhere is no time to try to convince your horse that listening to you is a better idea than running....they ARE prey animals..and hardwired to run and ask questions later in the face of danger...

Coltysheart · Yearling

In a situation where pulling a bolting horse around could be dangerous (rough or slick ground), I was taught this simple technique that works best in a snaffle. Pull one rein straight back to your hip and pull the other rein straight up by your horses neck as far as you can safely reach. I have used it on green, green horses and have had great success. I was always hesitant to use a one-rein stop on a horse that is just learning to balance with a rider.

Horse-hearted · Advanced

Why is he bolting? Fear? Pain? Lack of trust?

sedonasilver · Advanced

I dont really think the reason is very important when it comes to how you stop a horse, unless of course it was to become a reoccuring habit.

Horse-hearted · Advanced

There's always a reason, and understanding it is key to stopping it. If it's pain, you can help the horse. If it's fear, you know you need to work on his trust, etc, etc. Horses have reasons for everything, and yes, some of it can be sheer attitude. It's better to know exactly what you are working with so you can fix the problem.

sedonasilver · Advanced

Unless of course your horse just suddenly decides that there's a 6 legged frog monster behind that bush over there.

Even the most schoolmaster of horses will get a fright on the odd occassion, just because. As we humans do as well.

Dont forget the good old 'simply evading' reason for bolting. I had a friend who's horse would just bold to give her a scare, then she'd jump off and lead him back to the stables...every time. He'd decide that he'd had enough for the day, and off he'd go.

And people say that horses arent intelligent. Little do they know, I say! ;)

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

I had a notorious bolter, it was a learned habit. After all, it got him out of being a show horse, and then a cart horse and then a child's mount. It was working well in his favor, and he was very fast! I found that if I let him get it out of his system (in a safe area), he'd do his bolt, I stayed with it and when I didn't take him back to the barn or get scared, he learned that it didn't work in his favor anymore and he still had to work after. Also, I did ask to him to go full out as a treat, he was bred to be a racer and really enjoyed going, so as a treat on the weekend we'd have a good gallop without any additional work. I don't recommend this to anybody who isn't comfortable with this, or they don't have a safe area to just ride it out.

SoftTouchTraining · Well Schooled

I've delt with a couple that would bolt. There is no full proof method. Training is usually the best way to prevent it and knowing how and if you can calm them down if they are doing it out of fear. I like the one rein stop and is a good practice to teach all horses to do it. For me, I don't like just making them run when they want to do it because you may create another problem. I do use draw reins to help with turning if I'm working with one that likes to do it constantly simply because I'm not strong enough to muscle them around if that is what it comes down to. I do not like to bit them down with curbs or wire bits, but I do like the snaffle large ring gag better than the 2 or 3 ring gag or elevator because of the way it works with pressure on the poll. Check out Bit of Britain or Dover. If you can turn him at least you are a bit under control. Just try to remember don't panic, use a steady firm voice when saying "whoa", and don't clamp your legs. Remember it may be safer to seek help from a professional.