On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:46:11 -0500, you wrote: >Does it really matter if we quibble over "running away" with versus >"bolting?" If the rider can't stop the horse when they need to stop the >horse, does it matter? Why don't we hear of so many other-breed horses >"merely" running away with their riders?
I think there is a relevant difference, though maybe not in the rider's head. With a true bolting horse, nobody will be able to stop it (unless they are stronger than the horse - not likely - or have such a severe bit they can literally force the horse to stop). With a horse which is "just" running away, proper training (of the horse or the rider, whichever is necessary), or resolving other issues such as pain, nappiness, over-enthusiasm, running home, catching up with other horses or whatever is the cause, will sort the problem out. Not that it makes any difference to how the rider feels - unless they are so over-confident they don't give a toss about a genuine bolter and the danger it might put them in - being run away with in any form is terrifying, and often completely illogical in the feelings it arouses. I can ride gallop competently over most terrain. Most places I ride the footing is good and the horse I'm riding is sure-footed anyway. My horses are not usually spooky, and not usually that fit that they would be able to gallop for miles. Yet if I get on the beach or the airfield and feel out of control (or even as if I might get out of control) I go completely to pieces. It's not the fear of falling off - it's the whole being out of control thing. Horrid. But I do know, that 99.9% of the time, if I really really have to, and I don't panic, I CAN stop the horse at least long enough for me to get off it. If I was on a genuine bolting horse that would not be the case. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
