wanted advice on bolting

Hi I have just been given 2 big OTT TBs ( it was either I take them or glue) and as I was a kick ass rider before I had 2 kids and a couple of bouts of bone cancer (knee) Oh and did I mention my last girl bolted for home and I said a close hello to the corigated iron tack shed ( shattered nose, collarbone, yeah youd think I would have given up by now!!!) but I need a bit of advice I am REALLY afraid of one of them bolting does anyone know a foolproof way of pulling them up? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Happy riding
Tamamala

How long ago were the horses at the track and how long did they race. The ones that have put in a few years are more difficult to get the track out of their heads that the dawdlers that see one or two races. Think of from the horse's perspective, he's ridden to the track from the mounting area, runs his race, then is unsaddled, hot walked and returned to his stall. His stall represents all his security. Who knows what sets them off and suddenly the horse thinks he's back at the track running his race. It's all he knows. I strongly recommend you keep your riding to a confined area until he will stop when asked. You may need to get someone who has experience with these horses. I saw one at a show when the canter was called, a noise, at he was back at the track. The judge called everyone into the center and allowed the rider the rail. When the horse had run his distance, he slowed down and the rider regained control. This horse had been off the track for three years but had raced for several years. He had received excellent training after the track.

First of all, an OTTB just off the track needs some time to let down, where they are turned out in a paddock and just let alone to be horses.

Once that is done, then walk. Walk for hours. Walk until the horse is so bored that they are almost asleep on their feet. Then walk some more. Once you feel like all you have done, all your life, is walk on this bloody horse, trot until you feel the same way. Intersperse trotting and walking until the horse is bored of that too.

While you are walking, teach the horse the One Rein Stop. This is an invaluable tool, especially for a rider who is scared of a horse bolting. Once the horse and you are pros at one rein stopping at the walk, do it at the trot. If you are ever bolted with, a one rein stop is far more effective than trying to haul a bolter up with both reins.

Yes, one rein stop is your fool proof bolt prevention tool. My TB recently explodes on a trail and wanted to go home NOW. It took numerous one rein stops to save my butt, but we got home safe. Teach it to your horse in the confines of the ring, first at the walk, then trot and canter. Then take your new skills out of the ring and give it a try. Little helpful secret. Your horse does not know you feel like you have less control of him outside of the ring, so don't tip your hand and let him know it. Do your one rein stops as if your were in the safe confines of the ring. All your horse will learn is that you can stop him whenever you darn well feel like it.

The bigger problem is sitting out the spin part while trying to prevent the bolt. I would suggest a nice, inexpensive synthetic deep seat saddle like the Thorowgood T4. I can attest as a 45 year old who could use some serious time at the gym that a saddle like that can be the difference between coming home mounted or kissing the ground.

Do you have a trainer that you can send them to?

I would keep my mind open here. I mean, if these horses are dangerous to ride, you should remember that your number one priority in life is stay alive to raise your two kids, not save two horses from slaughter.

If your horse does bolt, whatever you do, don't rein him up. Racehorses are trained to go faster with a tight hold. Seen it many times when a beginner trackrider reins up on an older horse and off they go for a hoon.

Learn how to bridge your reins, if he does go - bridge you reins, keep your hands DOWN (putting them up will make the horses head go up and just get him more rattled. Also you will lose even more rein contact) and push your knuckles into the horse neck. Hold onto the mane, it will help.

Squeeze the reins even few seconds and wiggle the bit in your horses mouth. That should get your horses attention back and focused on you.

If you have lost complete control, don't bail (you will get hurt) - just steer you horses around away from obstacles and other riders. Sooner or later the horse will get tired, part of it.

Before you even ride them, lunge them - get out some excess energy and work on voice control and brakes in walk, trot and canter.

I hate the myth that racehorses need time off - reduce their grain find out what they were like to ride. Only some need time off.
Also I hate one rein stops. Personally, you are going to have to keep the horse balanced and how are you going to do that when your horse is bolting. What even, you don't have enough room to perform it. I think its stupid, and I would use it on a racehorse or even one off the track.

Well, that's my thoughts anyway. =P

Sorry but if the horse is truely bolting (not just taking off), then nothing on earth can pull them up.

I have a true bolter, when he goes he will go through fences, into walls etc and there is nothing the rider can do about it because he is in a blind panic. He has in the past bolted headfirst into the wall and cracked his skull

Boldstart, finally someone who can answer this question. Say your horse does bolt and has all day to go. How far will your average fit TB run before tiring? I always wondered that at the trees wizzed by.

Great question! It would depend on if the horse is a stayer or sprinter or an older tried horse or a baby.

But usually a horse will go two or three laps round (which would be around 2kms or 2000m. Of course by then, the horse SHOULD be start to tiring and you could get an edge. Just alot of things happen. Horses know where they come onto and off the track, so there are times where the horse will be bolting and go past the gap and put on the brakes! (that has happen to me!!) This could happen in a paddock as well, if the horse knows where home is.