Really not impressed- Max bolted this morning

[Twizzel]

Turned the first 2 horses out, absolutely fine. Since we moved to the new yard and now have grass again, they tend to trot off from the gate which we don't have a problem with. Max does tend to canter off, but only when the headcollar is taken off.

This morning, he bolted as soon as he got into the field. Being a 17.2hh WB x TB and me being 5ft3 I couldn't hold him, so he cantered off into the field with leadrope still attached. I've had a horse bolt with me before and it litterally ripped my hand to shreds with a massive rope burn, so don't tend to hold on if they show any signs of bolting.

<---- what I looked like this morning!!!

Went to catch him, he wouldn't be caught and trotted happily around the field with leadrope dragging on the floor. He shot himself in the foot when he got down to roll, and I managed to catch him again

Bought him back up to the gate but could hardly hold him, let him go and he galloped back into the field

Will tell his owners later and see what they say, but I expect the chiffney will be out in the morning!!

[Autumn]

Oh dear, sorry to hear that. Sounds like he caught you off guard this morning. When you take his headcollar off normally, do you turn him to face the gate? I give Charlie a treat once I've taken his headcollar off (I don't need to do this everytime now) and I know if there are other horses by the gate this isn't always possible to do and alot of people are against giving treats from the hand! But I think it depends on your horse.

[Twizzel]

The first time I got in the field he had bolted before I even had a chance to turn him to the gate.

Once I had caught him again I bought him back to the gate and made him face it, but it didn't make much difference and he still was very bolshy. I'm not a fan of using treats, they tend to then expect it and get a bit mouthy/nippy which with 1 who already is like this, we don't really want a second horse to get into the habit of doing!

[Autumn]

I understand about not wanting to give treats, it works for me but Charlie is good with them, I wouldn't try it with my other ponies so I can completely understand you not wanting to use them.

I think if he won't even wait to be turned round, you should try leading him in his bridle for extra control, your safety has to be the main concern.

Hope you can sort it out. x

[Mobell]

We have an Apaloosa x ID who does exactly that and we lead him in a bridle. As soon as I think he's going to tank off I half halt him by raising the hand to the cheekpiece that is holding the rein turning my solar plexus towards him, make myself look big and make a sound like the noise when you get a question wrong. His attention is drawn back to me and I praise him for still being with me and carry on walking. Keeping his head turned and his body bent towards me also stops him from tanking away. If he continues to try by going round you in a circle at speed then clip a longer lead rope/lunge line through the bit ring over the head to the other bit ring which should give you more control. I also found that going in the field and asking him to move over and back on both sides and walk forward only just a couple of steps has helped. He hasn't done it for ages now but we do still catch him and put a bridle on as he needs to forget about this habit.

[Loony]

Eeek hope you manage to sort it! Having something bolt is awful, especially when they're that big!!!

[My Crazy Clan]

Instead of the chiffney try a dually halter.

[gem]

Originally Posted by Mobell

make a sound like the noise when you get a question wrong.

I'm SO going to do this with Saffy The people at our new yard are going to love me!!

And our survey says...