Emergency Halt?

[Alli]

Two times in the last two weeks, the same horse i ride has bolted durring my lesson and taken off galloping around the ring. It usually takes me at least 3 times around the ring to pull him into the fence and stop him. and my teacher says that's way too long! (and i agree... SCAREY!!) Does any one know a faster way to stop a bolting horse? Or am i just really weak and not strong enough to stop him at all??? It's getting really scarey. each time he bolts he gets faster and faster. Usually he's a really nice, calm horse, but sometimes he gets these HUGE bursts of energy and takes off.
any advice?
Thanks!
:D Alli

[Kristy]

Make sure you aren't clamping your legs on... this will tell him to go faster...
First of all sit back and ask, if no response ask again a little firmer and by the third time there's no response... rip his head off. :) It's better he learns now that stop means STOP not in 3 strides not in 4 strides but NOW! Better to learn with someone who KNOWS they can ride as well.
Goodluck
Kristy

[Maria]

Not sure whether this will help - it's difficult to put the actions into a coherent form of words.

Sit up straight and don't let the horse pull you forward. Try not to tense up and set your hands so that the contact is rigid - which is sometimes easier said than done. Use your legs so that you are asking for/controlling the forward movement, use the pinch technique and give and take on each rein in turn rather than having a rigid feel or pulling back. It sometimes helps to visualise riding into a brick wall directly in front of you.

With a very onward bound horse that is out of control or getting out of control, I sometimes find it helpful to bridge the reins - either one or both - ie pass the end of the rein coming out between your right thumb and forefinger through your left hand - and vice versa. You still ask gently with your fingers and go back to the normal way of holding the reins once order is restored!



[This message has been edited by Maria (edited 19 May 2000).]

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This may take you and your horse some time to get the hang of, but it works!!
The One Rein Stop:
1)SIT UP!!!! stay relaxed!
2)drop one of your reins (outside if you're in a ring)
3)SHORTEN your inside rein way (like a foot or less from the bit) up. You need to lean forward a little for this.
4) sit up again (still holding on to this rein...with two hands if needed)
5)PULL your horse's head around to your knee (or as close as he'll come.) usually when a horse is galloping their head is straight ahead so pulling back doesn't do to much, but when their head is forced to the side it 1. breaks their forward motion and 2. reminds them that you're on top and telling them something.
*If your horse doesn't listen to just pulling,and is still going straight, boot 'im :) with your inside leg so he'll turn in*
**this can be done at any speed so make sure you arn't pulling your horse off balence if he's cantering**
6) your horse can't gallop in a small circle so keep going in circles using this one rein till he stops. The circles will start big and get really small as he slows down and you will get dizzy but it is crutial for your horse's respect for you that you keep going in circles till he comes to a complete stop!
7. as soon as all feet are stopped realease the rein and pat him...he's been a good boy and stopped (by the time you circle him to a stop he will have forgotten about the taking off thing)

If you ever feel you are starting to get out of control do a 20m circle or smaller to get your horse's attention back on you. If your horse doesn't calm down at all from this do a one rein stop promptly and this will avoid the whole gallop thing.
I've done this with my horse so many times that we've gone from circling for minutes to stopping as soon as i put contact on the inside. It's taken a lot of practice...but it's worth it not to have to be on an out of control horse. This is especially helpful in a field when he takes off (no fences to run into :))
e-mail with questions!!
Allie T

[Jess]

first of all.... SHORTEN YOUR REINS! Secondly, try sitting deep into your saddle; don't ride in a close contact if you can avoid it. Try an all purpose. They have a deeper seat. Push your heels down and put the weight into your seat and heals. Lean WAAAYYYYYYYYYY back.
hope this helps

[intouch]

Get both reins short enough to mean business. Dig your right fist into the horse's neck just in front of the withers. Cross your left hand over the right hand and push down hard. Not only will this stop a train, it seems to teach even confirmed bolters a bit of respect. But please only use it in an emergency, and do try to find out why the horse is behaving this way.

[Kiwismum]

We were just practicing emergency stops on the beach yesterday. Heres how my trainer has taught us.
If you need to slow down and stop but still have control then bridge your reins deeply, lean on the horses neck and tighten your fingers.
If you need to stop in a hurry or your horse bolts, then sit down deep in the saddle and keep both your heels and your seat down as much as you can, then lean right back on the reins. Do not lean forward at all, as soon as you lean forward you have lost it.

As you can see this is not the way you would normally stop, but it is worth practising in a safe place with your trainer.

Good Luck