Dually is much much better, in fact ESSENTIAL, in this situation, but it must be used with the greatest of skill so watch the DVD that comes with it and practice as much as possible. I hate to say this but this is starting to sound more and more like she had this bolting problem before you had her, it would be unusual for a horse to just start repeat bolting "for nothing"; it is beginning to sound a lot more like a learned and self reinforcing behaviour. If it is an old habit, something triggers the memory where the strategy of bolting as an original and legitimate survival/escape behaviour kicks in, even if the original reason has long gone and the more she does it and it works, the more she will do it. Of course, I cannot say for sure that it was there before, you would have to try and extract that information from the previous owners, and if they admit it you are entitled to send her back on the grounds of misselling or exact some compensation if you want to keep her; I can understand you are diappointed after making such good progress and I am sorry you got hurt, rope burns are nasty. Personally, I always use a Dually for training, I only ever use a rope halter for convenience on very well trained horses or horses who are very headshy/wary of the clanking of a headcollar and then in an enclosed area. Can I ask how long your lead rope is please? It is important with bolters to watch their movements very closely, there is always a clue indicating what they are about to do, where the ear goes, the nose follows, and where the nose goes, the feet follow - sometimes the signs are subtle and fast but its important to learn them/spot them so that you can interrupt the behaviour. If all else fails and she takes off, please just let go, you could get seriously hurt. Please don't think I'm being negative, I am trying to help I promise; if you know where something has come from and why its happening you are in a much more powerful position to deal with it. If you feel she is too much I would get a good trainer in who can help. Whereabouts in the world are you?

Absolutely the dually will stop this behavior. A rope halter is not self correcting, however, the dually when they pull back becomes uncomfortable for them and they teach themselves not to pull back. Your horse unfortunately has learned that she can get away by pulling back and bolting. Now that she's figured this out she will do it over and over again until she learns this does not work for her. When you start working with her and the dually I would suggest working in a small area that does not allow her to be able to run away even if she does pull back. Make sure you use at least a 30 foot lead line for leverage and also so she can't pull you off of your feet. It will take some time to retrain this behavior so be patient with her but do not put yourself and her in a position where she can get away from you. I'm sorry you got hurt... please be safe and set yourself and your horse up for success by eliminating possible problems. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

You poor thing! Yes the dually with a long lead rope is far more effective than a rope halter that is why it is so highly recommended for horses like this. With the help of the dually you should be able to retrain her to stop this behaviuor but I know from my own experience that you have no way of holding them by hand pwith a rope halter. You have learnt a really tough lesson and I am very sorry that you have had such a bad experience. Unless these horses are retrained they will take off without warning. Wait for the dually now and then initially start your training with it in her paddock. Wear gloves and a helmet and have the long lead rope. Initially just try to get her used to it - keep her head slightly bent towards you if you can. Hopefully you can teach her to walk with you stop and back up without her taking off. If you can get this far then try to lunge her in a circle around you -try not to allow her to turn her face and forequarters away from you as she will be harder to hold if she takes off as she will have her whole body against you and the dually. The dually should help you keep her head to-wards you as she takes off. If she takes off then go with her - the long lead rope will help you hold her and keep her face towards you. It is difficult and challenging and takes time. Last year I helped a relatively inexperienced woman re-train a very spooked 16 hands ex race horse in this way. No suitable small paddock or yard so all our retraining was in his paddock. This re-training needs to be done by someone who is experienced with horses and using the dually so if at all possible try to get such a person to lend you a hand. All the very best and stay safe.

Seems that Klienne and Vicci and I all responded simultaneously but I was the slowest t add mine. Good advise from them!

Plus agree with Vicci. Please do not try to hold her if you are likely to be dragged or hurt . Let her go then follow her and pick up the end of the long lead rope as soon as you can and ask her to come back to you with the dually. She will be facing you as you approach so this will make it easier.

Great advice all around.
I'm very sorry you got hurt, so I will just add a word on safety directed to everyone.
ALWAYS wear gloves when handling a lead rope and try to use ropes made from cotton rather than nylon, as the latter gives nastier burns and can cut right through your hand. Also, cotton is more likely to break if the horse gets entangled.
I know people (personally) who has actually lost fingers because they used a nylon rope, didn't wear gloves and the horse pulled away.
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Wishing success with your mare!

thanks for the support worry not im here for your opinions ;) the lady who sold her to me is denying she has every done this but the lady who transported her for me said she bolted before being loaded and took the girls boyfriend off his feet so she is not telling me the truth. I am gutted atm as I love her and 99% of the time she is an anger she backs when i ask stands when i asks comes now in the field and then just randomly without noise or provocation explodes. I think thats what is so difficult about it there doesnt seem to be an apparent trigger as i could deal with that.. anyway as Monty says its not the horse it must be something im doing... just need to work out how i resolve it and keep myself safe.. I was using a 20ft lunge line to lead her and tried to let it go and still keep contact but she is so strong she was gone. One thing I have noticed she seems to raise her head high as she is just about to do it and plants feet ready.. then yanks and is gone...ive stopped her a handful of times ermmmmm need to think..

sorry typing with one thumb lol

Oh dear, it seems as though yes, you have been lied to - I never cease to be amazed at how otherwise law abiding citizens (and often highly judgemental ones when it comes to others' misdemeanours!)behave in the most appalling way when it comes to selling horses. There are many many reasons for bolting - Kelly Marks in her book "Perfect Confidence" gives good descriptions and advice about bolting. Now, there is something else to consider and I am sorry to be the voice of doom and gloom again but there is a very strong possibility that this horse bolts under saddle too and I'm not sure you should even be trying to find out!!! Kelly Marks says: "It's my opinion that if you have a horse that runs off in a completely blind panic [she is talking about being ridden here] with no warning or for no discernible reason - especially one that will run through fences and hedges and into cars - its better for all concerned if he is retired as a companion horse". There is a big difference between a blind bolter and a runaway - you need to consider what yours is.
I know you are gutted and love her but there are thousands of horses out there who need a good home. I think you have to think hard about where you go from here. You have every right to send her back if you now believe this has happened before and you have a witness to this and if the previous owner refuses to take her back suggest that she may want to discuss it in front of a judge! However, if you really do feel you want to keep her, I strongly recommend that you do NOT ride her until the ground bolting is sorted and I think you really do need professional help with her. Congratulations on spotting the signs of her being about to bolt - if the first sign is head raising then the Dually is going to be invaluable. The description you give only further convinces me that she is quite practised at doing this. It can be fixed, I have worked with a practised "runaway bolter" and she is now ok - we broke the chain habit, but that was because we were able to go back to the exact spot and reason it first happened and desenisitse her to that path and help her to realise she no longer needed to run away. You sadly do not have the luxury of knowing where, when, and why this has happened before. Do you really want this horse that badly? This is not what you bought into. If you decide to keep her I know you will continue to get support from us all but I do think you need to know what you are getting into. Best wishes, Vicci

my husband has made the decision as we do not have the extra room to just have her as a companion he said she must be returned before one of us or she is hurt - I guess this is also knowing about having enough knowledge not only that I can learn but we have young children and they play in the garden next to our paddock and grooming area I would never forgive myself if a 'bolting' accident happened ty all for your support I will carry on looking for the right horse x

My heart goes out to you, I know this has been an incredibly sad and difficult experience for you and I admire your courage in making such a difficult choice. I truly wish you well and I know the right horse is just out there waiting for you :-) Best wishes, Vicci

Given your inexperience and the ingrained habit this horse has I think your husband has helped you to make the right decision. This horse needs retraining by a professional and if the bolting is reflective of a total panic attack then there maybe little that can be done to correct this horse. Good luck with your search for a more suitable horse for you. Hopefully the lady who sold it to you will finally admit she has done the wrong thing and accept the horse back and repay you. Let us know how you get on.

Just checked out Monty's latest video ' What's in a Name' where he is working with a very spooked out horse called Lunatic. This is an excellent video to demonstrate how to use the dually halter with a horse that takes off. Monty is lucky as he is dealing with the horse in a round yard which is perfect as even if the horse gets away he does not gain much and can be easily retrieved by picking up the long line again. Very important to note that Monty puts gloves on for this demonstration. Also note how Monty keeps the horse facing him as much as possible and brings him back with the dually when he takes off. Notice how Monty uses the long line as a lever when the horse takes off - check out his position too. As this video indicates this type of retraining should be done by a professional but you may be interested in watching it. When I was retraining the spooked out Ex-race horse, Cash, I needed to use similar techniques as Monty does in this video as he was a bit like Lunatic. During the retraining I was delighted to find out how effective the dually was in holding the horse when he took off on me as I had no suitable round yard. As Monty says in this video there is no way you could hold such a horse without the dually and long line. It was a slow process to teach Cash to accept people again and to walk, trot and canter on the lunge as he would suddenly spook and take off but it all came good in the end. I managed to ride him once he was responsive on the ground and he was very well behaved so all the hard work and time paid off. I am delighted to be able to report to those who followed my threads concerning him that the lady who befriended him and asked for my help in retraining him is now taking dressage lessons on him.

It's both good and sad news, slaterbunch, and like vicci and MaggieF I support your decision. You've done great things but it sounds like that horse belongs with a professional.
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Loveley news about Cash, MaggieF! :)

I am approaching the previous owner today I just wonder if there is a Monty Roberts professional around by me ...I have experience with horses for years but I am starting on my journey I guess with Monty's ways and I most definitely think in this case this is the way forward my reservations are like all yours she is 14 and my concern is this is such a deep seated habit which has been established over years will this be able to be rectified by a professional to such a point she doesnt do it again - just such a shame this one thing makes such a difference in owning this horse. But it is what it is onwards and upwards ...ty all again x

I have just spoken to a professional (monty professional) and he has advised what you have all said and Blossom will be returning back to her home x

absolute nightmare she wont have her back and is saying im a liar that the horse should not be ridden until her bolting issues have resolved - she said she told me about her issues which she didnt and has now contacted my farrier, back lady and teeth person and a monty professional i spoke to on the phone to demand they explain to her why her horse cannot be ridden - this is a nightmare she will not have the horse back and is demanding 2.6k or she will have her pts or report me to the police stating her horse is stolen :( I could cry x she just wont have her horse back and wants money I dont know what to do she is telling so many lies

Ok, I understand you are upset about this and have every right to be, but lets see if we can unravel this calmly and look at your options. Are you in the UK? If so, I suggest you work through the following. (1) Is she a horse dealer or is this a private sale? (2) You are a consumer, and you have rights if it is through a dealer - less so with a private sale but it does not mean you have no options. (3) Contact your local Trading Standards Department in the council; they will gove you clear, free advice about your rights and may even act on your behalf. If you are in Europe, similar arrangements. They may suggest getting the Instructor in to give you a formal, independant assessment of the horse which may not be a bad idea of s/he is willing. (4) This comes under the realms of civil law not criminal law i.e 'the balance of probability and the test of reasonableness' i.e. first she denies this happened, then she states she told you this happens - would a reasonable person pay 2.8k for a horse that bolts? No! - unless it is a horse worth 20k and you agreed to take on "a project". So, if trading standards can't help or for any other reason, find an equine specialist lawyer and though it may cost you a little bit of money, pay for a consultation and a letter to be sent to the previous owner - thats usually enough to make them see sense! The nonsense about phoning the police? well what is she going to do? The police say "Oh we've found your horse, here he is, take him home!" Try to stay objective and ignore the rantings - if you find that all the advice/information says you have no legal redress you may have to swallow the bitter pill, pay up, put it down to experience and engage in (1)rehabilitating her or (2)sell her on HONESTLY as a project horse at a reduced rate. If you decided to rehabilitate her dont worry it can be done :-)

How distressing for you theslaterbunch but Vicci has given you great advice. If you didn't pay for the horse up front then you have had her on trial so you are in a much better position than you would be if you had already paid for her. I wouldn't worry about her threats to go to the police as I am sure that a reasonable police person would understand your problem and simply take the horse back - I can't see how you could be found at fault. If the lady will not take the horse back then let her know that you have no intention of paying her and that you will be giving the horse to someone else. If she has called all those people then surely all you need to do is to give yor side of the story. The lady who trailered the horse to you will surely back you up. Relax - worst that can happen is that you have a horse to retrain with the dually.

Just to add to the support from Vicci and Maggie!
I'm sorry it has come to this for you, but take deep breaths and keep your head clear.Her reaction is quite typical for people who knows they are wrong and will do everything to try to cover it up. That is why they make blatant mistakes like first telling you she "told you so" and then cry out that you have "destroyed (or stolen!) her horse". There's no logic there and you really should tell her you will welcome the police since that would be for your benefit only, not just for the reasons Vicci stated, but also seeing as she is probably guilty of harassment over the phone to your trainer etc.
All fingers crossed this will work out for you! Please try to keep calm and cool, even if it is hard. Getting you all worked up is what she wants since it will stop you from thinking clearly, so don't let her push you into anything. Find out you legal rights before you do anything!

Hi Slaterbunch - checking in on this discussion and hoping you have found a resolution to this situation and are doing ok.

Hi all sorry I am doing fine - situation is resolved not in exactly the way thought but the resolution is she has given her to me and she will be staying with me. I have taken all your advice on board and will be getting in contact with a local professional to aid both me and my horse in creating a harmonious relationship. In the mean time I am not pushing her I spend time with her in the paddock and hopefully with the correct help (me not stressing - it was a bad week for me funerals and allsorts) I will learn how to correct my behaviour to help my mare deal with her issues. One step at a time and fingers crossed in 6 months time I can write about our progress and how we have both learned so much. This can only make me a better horseperson :) thanks again

Seems like a great solution theslaterbunch as I am sure that with the dually, with professional help and with time, consistency and patience you will be able to retrain her. Just a word of warning though - make sure the lady who used to own her puts it in writing that she has given her to you and that she signs and dates the note. All the very best and do keep us posted.

What MaggieF said! :)
Just adding extra good wishes for this to work out great for both of you. Fingers crossed this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Hi slaterbunch - well thats an interesting turn of events! I truly hope you get a wonderful relationship with this horse but please pelase please (yes I know I'm going on a bit but I really can't stress this enough!!) get it in writing that you OWN her, lock, stock, and barrel, with immeidate effect to do with as you will. If you do not, I can forsee a time in the future when you have produced this amazing horse and she comes back and says "I want her back now, she was only on loan". Don't think it could happen? She conned you this far, she can con you further trust me :-). If she refuses, get a trailer, take her back, leave her there. Noone suddenly changes their mind over a 2.8k horse "just like that"; I'm sorry if I sound blunt but I truly want the best for you and don't want to see a future heartbreak. My very best wishes for a happy life with her!

got it all in writing and passport :) ty so much ladies taking one day at a time x

So pleased for you, I'm looking forward to hearing about her progress

Well done theslaterbunch. All the very best - I am sure that with the dually, time and patience you will correct this problem and succeed in having a well behaved, willing horse.

Hi theslaterbunch - so relieved to hear of this as the fate of a horse with those types of behavioral issues is not always positive unless they are in the care of a Join-up professional :) Isn't it fascinating how our emotions can be expressed by the horse even when we least expect it - you had so much stress and additional distractions that perhaps the mare was also feeling that depth of emotion. Take your time and stay safe. You can overcome this and the partnership you achieve will be amazing. Thanks for sharing your story. Keep on with your training - in baby steps.

Hi, just latching onto the conversation, sorry not been around for a bit, been preparing our field and shelters for winter. We're very open and that wind bites when it comes.

theslaterbunch Are you in the UK? Just a few words you put seemed UKish :D. If you are then I'd be happy to come and lend a hand if you can cover fuel costs, I'm down in Ramsgate, Kent.

All 3 of our ponies have had issues when I got them from running away, dominance, bucking and rearing,this last one used to buck every rider off, bite, kick they had him sent for an scan to see if he had a brain tumour and went to have him put down, before that they dumped him in a field near us and left him, so I started making friends he's now ours and is beautiful and accepting riders again. It's taken about 12 weeks for him to build the trust in us. Little steps and horse whispering methods.

All horses are manageable with the right language and if we listen to them. I've also trained several other horses in our area that have had people issues. Not as many as everyone else in the forum, but the horses are listening and realising we're wanting to help and be their friend.

I've been using Monty's ways for a couple of years now, but even before that I'd started communicating with horses, but just kept quiet about it as those in the stables we used to go to thought I was a bit stupid. So relieved when I heard about Monty. :D

Mel x