Not sure this is the right forum but would welcome some advice (maybe a bit of reassurance). Out on a hack today on a bridal way with 5 other horses from my yard. We were at the back next to another horse with one other behind. My horse, Marley just bolted, past the three horses in front in full gallop. No suggestion that something scared him, just the 3 horses in front had rounded a corner, but stayed in view. One is an ex racehorse so he reared wanting to follow. Managed to pull up maybe 200m in front of the group. But I’ve made two of the girls really nervous and they got off and walked back. I ended up having to walk in hand too because I couldnt hold Marley and he was blowing and lathered. This has never happened before.
I ride him in a Myler comfort snaffle. Everyone at the yard is saying I should put him in something stronger when we are out because he has bolted 3 times, but only when we have gone out with the racehorse. We hack every week, usually with just one or two horses and he’s fine, just won’t go in front and is great in traffic. We ride 5 days a week but the other sessions are schooling or lessons.
Im feeling utterly shit because I’ve upset two people who are really nervous and if I’m honest I’m quite scared it’s going to happen and maybe on a road or I won’t be able to pull up.
The background to this is I’ve owned Marley for 10 months. He‘s an 8 year old cob. He’s has 8 homes in the last 3 years. He bucked and reared and was scared of things like the hose which suggests he’s been hit when I bought him. He’s my first owned horse and I didn’t know he was as green as he was when I bought him. I’m a competent rider but hadn’t ridden for 25 years really. We’ve been having lessons and the progress is amazing. We even did our first dressage test last month. He still bucks and won’t go in front on a hack but no other issues remain except this. This was the worst bolt he has done today.
Would you recommend a stronger bit, or not hacking with the racehorse? Please tell me this isn’t going to get worse if he bolts again.
I ride him in a Myler comfort snaffle. Everyone at the yard is saying I should put him in something stronger when we are out because he has bolted 3 times, but only when we have gone out with the racehorse. We hack every week, usually with just one or two horses and he’s fine, just won’t go in front and is great in traffic. We ride 5 days a week but the other sessions are schooling or lessons.
Im feeling utterly shit because I’ve upset two people who are really nervous and if I’m honest I’m quite scared it’s going to happen and maybe on a road or I won’t be able to pull up.
The background to this is I’ve owned Marley for 10 months. He‘s an 8 year old cob. He’s has 8 homes in the last 3 years. He bucked and reared and was scared of things like the hose which suggests he’s been hit when I bought him. He’s my first owned horse and I didn’t know he was as green as he was when I bought him. I’m a competent rider but hadn’t ridden for 25 years really. We’ve been having lessons and the progress is amazing. We even did our first dressage test last month. He still bucks and won’t go in front on a hack but no other issues remain except this. This was the worst bolt he has done today.
Would you recommend a stronger bit, or not hacking with the racehorse? Please tell me this isn’t going to get worse if he bolts again.