How do you stop a horse from bolting?

Answer 1

I agree with Kismet. You should try to discover the cause of the horses behaviour to enable you to deal with the problem humanely. Horses bolt for a reason, usually associated with pain or fear, and this should be addressed.
However, you should know how to deal with the situation in an emergency. When a horse runs away, he will do one of two things. He will either lower his head, stretch his neck stiffly forward and down, and start off with the bit in his teeth or throw his head up in such a way that it is impossible to get hold with the bit. The latter situation is more dangerous.

In the first case the rider must concentrate on raising the horse's head with quick, sharp jerks, up and forward, with one hand. In the second case a complete slackening of the reins, a momentary abandoning of all resistance, usually will bring the head down to a position in which the bit again can take hold.

When the rider has succeeded in bringing the horse's head into a position sufficiently normal to apply the through-going parade, a number of quick, sharp pulls on both reins will in most cases slow him up. The rider's seat must be dug firmly down into the saddle with the combined force of his weight and the counteraction of his pull on the reins. This involves a decidedly backward-leaning position.

Should it prove impossible to stop the bolting horse in this manner the "seesaw" must be tried. This consist of vigorous alternate pulls on the reins, left and right in turn.

Both methods depend to a considerable extent on the strength of the rider's arms and may be of little consolation to women and children. There is, however, a last resource that is a bit rough on the horse but that can always be expected to bring results without requiring any more strength than the least muscular rider has at his disposal.

All reins are taken in the left hand, which is brought forward until it touches the horse immediately behind the ears.

The reins are pulled tight with the hand in this position. They are then gripped firmly so that they will not slip, and the hand is pulled back along the crest of the neck...

Answer 2

Ok... bolting a BIG issue.

Firstly if he's being spooked by somethign then you need to figure out what and get him to understand that it's not going to eat him! :)

Other than that a martingale is a great tool to help prevent this kind of problem. But dealing with a bolting horse can be extremely dangerous. A method i learnt is that you basically turn your horse in a tight circle. Now i know that this can be really hard because of the speed horse coudl be travelling at and that you dont; want to over balance and pull him/her over. This can prove to be a dangerous practice to involve yourself in so it culd be a good idea to get a professional depending on your capabilities. And thats not saying that you aren't capable of performing this. I'm just saying that it coudl be in your best interest. No offence intended if it came across that way....

However. Some bolters i have come across and heard about cannot be fixed :(. Many people recommend an alternate bit but i frown upon that because a bigger or harsher bit does nothign really in my opnion. However if your horse happens to be a TB and has been raced this could be the reason fro his bolting. In which case this can be really hard to fix. because bolting is practically all they've been taught to do. And any pressure on their mouths encourages them to keep going.

A little more information on this coudl help? as in reasons for bolting (if any) what kind of bit you use? and where he/she bolts to? is it out into the open? into a confined area? toward other horses?

But yea. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well, it depends on why, where, and what might trigger it off. Horses generally bolt out of fear for one thing, so is there something that could be causing your horse to be afraid?

Is the horse otherwise quite calm and quiet to handle in the stable? or when ridden in the ring?

There are a multitude of possibilities as to why a horse may bolt, and until that has actually been assessed it will be difficult to give some kind of an answer. Update your question, and then maybe I can help, otherwise i could sit all night and type you an essay on why horses bolt and how to correct the various causes.

Answer 4

I would put the horse in a roundyard or enclosed area and work on your one-rein stop. Pulling on both reins is a bad idea because many horses will simply grab the bit and run faster. Or they'll rear up when you pull both.

Drop the outside rein, gather up the inside and gently but firmly pull the inside rein, upwards and inwards towards your thigh,with your palm down - the horse has no other choice but to stop. Don't tug it, just pull it steady and firmly.

They can't go forward when their head is turned. They can't go up and they can't buck. It's the safest way to stop a bolting horse for horse & rider.

When you are first learning the one rein stop, do it from a walk. Make sure the horse's nose is on your boot and he comes OFF the bit before releasing his head. Release it quickly after you feel him come off the bit. Early on, this could mean you may have to sit there for a while with strong biceps. Use both hands if you have to in order to hold on. But it is important to teach the horse he CAN'T pull. It's a "feel" thing. Don't release that head until he comes off that bit!

Once he stops at the walk, do it at a trot, then at a canter.

Believe, me it works, and it's safe. I had a bolter. I don't anymore :)

Answer 5

Everyone has mentioned that you need to figure out the source first. Second, once a horse has bolted, you need to use the emergency brake to stop him.....one rein stop to pull his head around.....their bodies have to follow their heads!!!!
Teach him lateral flexion:
In the saddle, relax your right rein, and gently pull his head round to your foot/knee. Each time he moves his head, even a little, relax the rein which rewards his action. Then ask again, and again until his head is at your foot/ knee. Repeat this each side, multiple times until it takes very little asking for him to bring his head round to either side. What this does is get him ready for you to use the emergency brake when you need it.
When he bolts, don't be gentle, and get his head turned as quickly as you can (not so fast that he falls over). Then once he is calm, take him back to wherever he bolted from and show him it's ok.
If you need anymore help, please feel free to email me

Answer 6

I would first put a martingale on him so that he cannot put his head up and run. then if he does bolt, instead of setting your hands and pulling, take and give on the reins, meaning pull back then let go and keep repeating. I also think it helps to if you can, steer him in a circle to help slow him down. Also, for better answers i would include in your question if you know why he is bolting?

Answer 7

Horse Freaks exactly right...martingales the best bit system to not allow head raising. After that if still doing then you need a professional trainers help !

Answer 8

Well, find out whats making him bolt. Is he afraid of something? Is he mad about something. Was he hit. It depends but im not sure how to help you.

Answer 9

Say, "WHOA, Nellie"!