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At 20:28:10 on 16.11.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
i would take him on a long ride troting where possible, or lunge him to get the fizz out. then do lots of transitions leaving out canter, small circles, serpentines and leg yeilding. really get him supple, relaxed and listening to you. then ask for canter, if he bolts hold and push. charlie used to bolt off into canter and it took alot of holding and pushing forward, after a while he started to steady up, it took time but worked. also once you are in canter keep him going until you have to really push him on to keep him in the canter, so next time you ask him to canter he wont be so eager to bolt. hope this makes sense |
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At 22:29:38 on 18.11.10, Horses 101 wrote:
Looking beyond the obvious causes, such as a saddle that is not properly fitting the horse, (or one that he has grown out of) or the influence of bad teeth on their TMJ, bad feet and of course rider-induced pain, we can look within. The horse’s back is a nightmare of a garden or potential pain where it can grow from the many peripheral nerves that run from the spine to the viscera and vice versa, as well as to the musculo-skeletal outer body. Any compromise of these nerves at all, especially the sciatic nerves, will induce bucking. Eighty percent of all internal problems can have a direct effect upon the external. Bucking is not bad behavior; it is either a physical reaction to pain stimuli, or a negative, (instead of positive) ground relationship.
Kissing spine, the fusion of the vertebrae, fusion of the sacroiliac joint, kidney problems, ulcers, a worm aneurysm, a pinched nerve, castration scars, ovarian cysts, a bean in the willy … the list is endless. So before they assume that it is a ‘behavioral issue,’ the owner should have check the horse for any other possible causes first.
~ Possible reasons for a horse "acting out" when saddled and/or ridden. ~
(1.) Sore back. Poor saddle fit, in sufficient or worn pad, vertebrae out of alignment, etc. (Reference #16).
(2.) Girth sores, insect bites or a minor injury where girth or saddle is positioned (or sensitivity from same).
(3.) Mouth sensitivity. Includes (but not limited to) mouth/tongue/lip injury or sores, hot spot from bit or sharp spot on bit, abusive/improper use of the reins (commonly referred to as 'bad hands') ‘tongue-over bit or a horse that is unaccustomed to the restricted breathing/choking sensation of the bit. (Reference #16.)
(4.) Eyesight. Diminished visibility due to old age, temporary infection or injury that is not immediately obvious, which would increase apprehension/fear due to the horse's diminished ability to survive insofar as detecting a predator attack.
(5.) Too little regular association/interaction, exercise and/or no habit or pattern established of doing even limited riding on a fairly regular basis to imprint a positive Life Pattern.
(6.) Too much and/or too "hot/rich" of a supplemental feed. (Excessive energy patterns, etc.)
(7.) Internal ulcers, illness/trauma, (whether chronic or acute) etc, that the horse tolerates under less stressful, normal living conditions but is forced to exhibit discomfort/displeasure when engaged in mounted activities.
(8.) Growth spurt causing a young horse to test and possibly reestablish himself to a higher herd rank than his rider. (The "terrible Twos and Threes.")
(9.) Emergent Emotional Intelligence/Maturity. While two and three year olds look physically fit to carry a rider and tack, the equine bone structure does not mature until it is six or seven years old. Their back is the last part of his bone structure to mature. This is directly proportionate to his emotional maturity and would be comparable to expecting the average four-year-old human to sit attentively through an entire opera without once squirming or squiggling in impatience and/or distractive inattention. (If this is the case, you are riding a horse that is not physically or emotionally mature enough to be ridden.)
(10.) Abnormal need for ascension in herd rank (genotype). This is exemplified when a horse of small stature and low herd rank is constantly seen with injuries caused by his continuous, insistent challenging horses of higher herd rank that are forced to wreak physical punishment for CONTINUALLY challenging them.
(11.) Abnormal aggressiveness (genotype) as displayed by an Alpha's constant physical attacks on other horses of lower herd rank for seemingly no apparent reason. While genetic in origin, it may also be aggravated by a lack of confidence in maintaining present herd rank (much like the proverbial grade school bully). This abnormal aggressiveness may also be due to a complete lack of formative, early life
socio-cultural learning facilitated by our present day care and management practices.
(12.) The horse lacks self-confidence in the rider and feels that his herd rank, position and/or very survival is threatened by submission to the rider. (Reference #18 & #21.)
(13.) Bipolar disorder, (and/or other possible neurological disease/trauma.)
(14.) A mare's overreaction and abnormal sensitivity to estrous. (Also pain caused by pressure or girth and/or riding on Ovarian cysts.)
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At 22:30:48 on 18.11.10, Horses 101 wrote:
(15.) An adverse drug reaction, (oral or subcutaneous/intravenous injection) consumption of toxic plants or contaminated hay/feed may cause chronic and/or acute pain and/or sudden mood changes.
(16.) Previous life experiences associated with a negative stimuli implanting a fear imprint on the Amygdala. Either abusive handling, abusive mounted activities and/or a mild injury in what the horse deemed a life-threatening situation. Associative situational circumstance activates an abnormal oppositional or fear/flight response (similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in humans.) This can be triggered by a situational environmental stimuli as well as a physical touch to a specific part of the body, a specific sound or a specific scent.
(17.) Positive Response trigger/imprint is not deep enough to control and/or calm horse with a verbal 'Calm Down cue' when the horse feels the excitation of a severe apprehensive survival/stress situation (cortical override of a fear/flight reaction to a negative stimuli induced by an Amygdala fear imprint).
(18.) Insufficient relationship/trust factors. Suppressive imprint is inadequate to instill cortical override and nullify previous fear imprints and/or separation anxiety disorder. Inadequate trust factors and nonreciprocal communication levels result in a confrontational relationship versus a harmonious partnership. This results in minimal (if at all) Peer Attachment and a complete absence of a "Herd of two within the herd" co-dependent relationship.
(19.) Emotional trauma (oppositional defiance disorder) caused by excessive stalling and/or disassociation and lack of interaction with other horses and/or natural freedom of movement.
(20.) PTSD / fear imprint triggered by association to the specific olfactory or visual stimuli (cologne/deodorant) or apparel/accessory such as a particular hat, coat, etc, (may also be gender specific).
(21.) Rider induced lameness, soreness or discomfort caused by a rider that is unfamiliar with the biomechanics of the horse's body in movement carrying a rider. (Reference #16.) Inexperienced or apprehensive/fearful rider that has not acquired the necessary balance, coordination, independent seat and confidence needed.
While rider induced lameness is an accepted possible cause of varying degrees of physical trauma/disability/stress, rider-induced stress caused by the novice, inexperienced rider’s own apprehensive heart rate, emotional state and anticipatory fear are transmitted to their horse.
(Which results in a ‘catch 22 self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.’)
Reference: Linda Keeling, PhD, and colleagues at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Professor Ellen Gehrke, Alliant International University and the Institute of HeartMath.
(22.) Fear imprint reaction actuated by tolerating the emotional pressure of a specific situational environment (being ridden-and/or ridden specific places). This may have been caused by the present rider on his back or a previous rider that exhibited unfair treatment and/or physical punishment, ( a form of PTSD).
(23.) Teeth: #1. TMJ misalignment due to improper/inadequate 'floating’ and bite alignment resulting in limited biomechanical function of the temporomandibular joint, (TMJ). This sequentially affects ALL parts of the body from the head and neck to the back, legs and feet).
(24.) Bone spurs, wolf teeth, blind wolf teeth can also cause a great deal of pain, (especially when bitted) which in turn elicits aversion, avoidance and oppositional defiance behavior.
(25.) Hoof problems. Pain from overgrown bar, high heels, contraction, deteriorated frogs, thrush and abscesses is common and often masked by shoeing until it is so serious as to cause visible lameness. Horses adapt by shifting resting posture to alleviate pain and strain on ligaments and tendons, pain in the joints and muscles of the shoulder, neck, back, hocks, hips, etc. and by moving with shortened strides exhibiting toe first or flat footed landings.
(26.) *I have also heard that the girth can press on the Vagus nerve of some horses causing an irregular heartbeat that results in extreme "cinchiness" and or bucking when first mounted. The Vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve. It is a mixed sensory and motor nerve.
It is my understanding that the neurological system is divided into central and peripheral areas - the brain and spinal cord make up the Central Nervous System (CNS). There are 12 cranial nerves that originate in the brainstem to innervate the organs of sight, smell, and hearing, the muscles of swallowing and mastication, the tongue, sensation of the face, and use of the eye and facial muscles. Abnormalities of these nerves will produce changes in head carriage, balance, eye position, ear and eyelid tone and position, vision, smell, hearing, and problems prehending, chewing, and swallowing food. The 10th cranial nerve, the Vagus nerve, also affects cardiac function, respiratory function, and GI motility.
Given the horse's incapability to communicate using traditional training formats, he has little choice but to disobey by jigging around and/or bucking when, in HIS judgment, due to fear, apprehension, pain, discomfort and/or frustration as HE thinks the situation warrants.
*Any of the preceding (or any combination thereof) could very well result in the ‘spooking at nothing’ of an obviously familiar object to ‘jigging’ or actual bucking in an attempt to dislodge the rider and a 'Jekyll and Hyde' personality.
This is traditionally viewed as "bad behavior" when in fact it is a lack of insight, knowledge and understanding on the part of the owner/rider.
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At 21:54:35 on 19.11.10, Em28 wrote:
Would just like to say that I do agree with what Horses 101 has said but I believe bucking is not only a negative reaction, bucking is also a positive display of emotion as seen by horses in their natural state. But as the question here is on a horse bolting I am interested to know how do you stop your horse with a whip seeing as a whip generally makes a horse go faster? Unless you mean smacking it on his shoulder telling him off? Some things I would try are to do lots of transitions like Torisilvern said get him listening, work him hard, do lots of trotting. Look for good places to canter, places that arent wide open places that look great for galloping! Do cantering up hills making him work! Also do you have a school where he is the same? Or at least where you could practice keeping him under control in a safer environment. He may just have got into a habit where he thinks canter means gallop! Also, is he generally very fizzy, it may be diet related. I tend to use my seat a lot to steady a horse trying to bolt, by blocking the energy travelling through from their back end sitting up and deep into the saddle. But depending on your strength maybe it would be safer for you to use a stronger bit whilst out hacking? |
