Theosmom wrote:
WiltedRose wrote:
Theosmom wrote:
By pulley rein do you mean like draw reins?
NO. Absolutely not. The last thing you need on a bolter is draw reins. A pulley rein is when you off-set you reins by raising one hand slightly higher than the other and pull back. The only time I ever do this is when I absolutely can not get a bolter to stop by half-halting or circling. I don't like one rein stops with a bolting horse because (a. it is very rare that you will actually be able to physically get a bolter to turn its head and (b. they more often than not set a horse off balance and set them up to stumble and fall.  I only do that as a last resort when all else fails in stopping them, because it is not a pleasant feeling for them and I hate doing it. However, when I'm on a 1200lb animal that won't stop, I will do it briefly to get them under control enough that I can circle them down.

I have to agree with everyone else though. It really sounds like you need a trainer to coach you through this. There is absolutely no shame in it, and even if you have to stick to ringwork for a while until you can scrounge some money up for a few lessons that would probably be the safest bet. (I definitely understand about the money. I'm in college as well, working full time, and putting every scrap of change into my horses care, not into lessons. Sometime you have to just stick with what is safe until you are in a better position)




I didn't think draw reins would be a good idea either thats why I was so confused! Also, he has never tried to hurt me, when he spooks its like his brain goes into overdrive and it takes some doing to get him to listen again...
Sadly, even if he isn't "intentionally" trying to hurt you, he is still disrespecting you by not following your lead.  My gelding is extremely hot, and VERY spooky, but I do not put myself in the position to get hurt, and I always put myself in the position where I will come out in the lead as we work through problems. If I ride out to hack in the fields it is always with someone there on the ground watching to make sure nothing goes wrong, and if I feel like I am having to much trouble getting a calm relaxed horse out of him I get my trainer to coach me through it. I have never been thrown by him spooking or bolting, and have only lost control of him once (He flipped over on top of me when I first started him) but I still ere on the side of caution, because he is a large, powerful animal. By letting your gelding "win" you are effectively saying, "I am not the leader, you don't need to trust me and you can run from whatever you want".

I really would keep him in the ring until you can get either a trainer or an experienced friend to help you. It isn't worth getting hurt over, and if he is ok in the ring or field, work on that for now.