28 August 2008 15:36
I have an eight-year-old cob gelding who was quiet and well-behaved when I first bought him, but now, every time I take him out, he bolts and tries to run home. He even does this when ridden out with another horse.
I have had him checked by the vet and tried him in a variety of bits (he seems happiest in a pelham). He lives in a quiet field with my old pony, and is fine working in the school. He doesn’t seem afraid of any particular sights or noises, so I am not sure what to do next. Can you help?
Answer
By Your Horse
YRC Instructor Alison Ritchie replies:
You don’t say how long you have had your horse but this is a bad habit he has developed – and one that he gets better at each time he does it. You need
to work out why it started – the first thing that springs to mind is that he may have developed a strong pair bond with your pony. When you took him on a hack away from his friend, he probably decided he’d rather turn round and go home. He succeeded in his aim, and so repeated the behaviour again and again.
It is a potentially dangerous situation, so I recommend that you find an approved, experienced instructor to help you. If you could ride out with someone like this, they would see the problems as they arise and help you develop the skills you need to cope. When you find you can deal with these situations better, your confidence will grow – and so will your horse’s.In the meantime, continue to work on your schooling in the arena, as better training will help when you’re out and about. Practise riding straight lines and turns, making sure you halt square and on the bit. Always remember to reward your horse for good behaviour.Stick to short hacks for
the moment, and always ride in company.