2 ambulances leter....OUCH! I'm in so much pain!

Sarahgema

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 November 2008
Messages
600
Visit site
Hi - you may have all read the posts that me n 'Taffster' have bought a new horse together. We bought him as been very nervous, got him ome Fri n he is fab, rode fri nightm in indorr arena in walk n trot, he was fab, hacked him yest with 3 other horses, walk, trot and canter, he was fab. I took him in the outdoor arena today and he was working on the bit in walk and trot but after about 20 minutes something has scared him, and hes bolted. unfortunately the saddle slipped round his belly and i've jumped off. 2 ambulances later i have no skin on my back and a very swollen hand and foot.
Not the horses fault because he was just scared, but how can i get him out of this? there was nothing there to scare him, but something really shook him up!
 
I'd make sure your girth is done up tighter next time, and maybe check saddle fit if it was ?
Without knowing what scared him its hard to say how to get him out of it. Maybe in time with work and the experience that goes with it he will settle down, he is in a new place and you say he is nervous so he may just need time to adjust to his new home too.
 
Oh, poor you - hope you are on double strength painkillers.

It's still very early days in the partnership, I would be very patient and give him a chance to settle in before you attempt anything else with him.

If it was an outdoor school, he might have seen something he considered scary that you might not have noticed, so it could have been a genuine reaction to something, compounded by something even more scary - a saddle slipping followed by a 'beast' on the ground next to him, in his opinion.

How old is he? Do you know why he was nervous to start with? Breed or type? How much experience do you have? More info please before we can help!
 
hes 7 - section D, big 15.2hh. Not sure whats happened in his past but bought him knowing he was nervous! tried to research him, know he has been eported to germany and imported back!
hes not even half as bad as what he was with old owner.
I have alot f experiance - im 22, been riding since i was 4 and had my own since i was 10. broke about 1 horses in a used to buy problem horses and sort them out and sell them until i had a bad accident 3 years ago and broke my pelvis.
I have shown on the flat and done workers at county for past 4 years, showjump and i hunt, hunter trail, xc, dressage and school other peoples horses for them.
I bought him coz we felt sorry for him, im keeping him to show as 'taffster' doesn't ride but he's going to be lovely i certainly wont give up.
As far as the tightening girth goes, you can move much on his back so have to tighten girth as tight as you can before you get on and thats how it stays!
hes realy scared himslef today but that was the reason i jumped off as i was scarying him more as couldn't straighten saddle up.
 
Sorry to asj but why ride the day you got him? You say he's nervous, I would have given him at least 4 or 5 days to settle in to the new surrounding
crazy.gif
hope he's not too traumatised after todays events
frown.gif
 
It may be a very small thing that set him off. You need to find the "Trigger". If he had a very bad experience in his previous life,something that he associates with the incident would set off his panic reaction. Once he trusts you you can work at desensitising him.
This sounds easy, but it could be very difficult to pinpoint it. Can you find out detailed history of situations or things that make him nervous ?
Wish you lots of luck with him and hope you heal up soon.
 
As far as the tightening girth goes, you can't move much on his back so have to tighten girth as tight as you can before you get on and thats how it stays!
hes realy scared himslef today but that was the reason i jumped off as i was scarying him more as couldn't straighten saddle up. {quote}

Have you had his back checked, seems sore in his back if he won't let you tighten girth up while on him.
Speaking of experience. We have a nervous 9yr old welsh D
 
hope u are feeling better soon, yes i would definitly get his back and teeth checked could be he is in pain and not that he is spooking at something, just a thought .
 
I personally tink you should admit defeat and let someone who is far more competant deal with his immediate future...and have him back in say 4 weeks time.

from what you say, you come across as quite inexperienced.
 
Oh poor you - you'll be as stiff as a board tomorrow - ouch!
frown.gif

In the wild any horse would run if they thought they were in danger so he's doing what comes naturally! Having said that more often than not they gain confidence in themselves and the rider/handler so don't bolt.
smile.gif
You've only had him a couple of days so you don't really know each other yet. However, I would have his saddle checked and make sure your girth is tighter next time.
Hope you are soon feeling much better
smile.gif
 
What part of what i said gave you the opinion im not competant enough to dea with him? or are you mearly being bitchy and suggestion someone such as yourself should be dealing with such a horse?
You may think im speaking ut of place and if so tell me, but I am not going to give up on this horse like all the other lowlifes that have beaten him and passed him from home to home!
If 18years experiance riding, schooling and showing for other people sounds imcompetant to you please explain what I shoul be doing or is giving nasty comments on here one of your hobbies?
 
[ QUOTE ]
What part of what i said gave you the opinion im not competant enough to dea with him? or are you mearly being bitchy and suggestion someone such as yourself should be dealing with such a horse?

[/ QUOTE ]

JM correct me if I'm wrong but my initial thoughs are:

The fact you didn't give him time to settle in.

The fact your saddle was either incorrectly fitted or the girth was not tight enough.

The fact that the horse could well have suffered a serious further set back due to slipping saddle, falling rider and generally being pushed too quickly in a new home.

ETS: I wanted to add that I didn't read JM reply as being b!tchy, I think she was just trying to give advice that was best for horse and rider. 18 years in the saddle does not spell experience, you could have been riding one horse for that entire time or only had straight forward horse to ride.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What part of what i said gave you the opinion im not competant enough to dea with him? or are you mearly being bitchy and suggestion someone such as yourself should be dealing with such a horse?
You may think im speaking ut of place and if so tell me, but I am not going to give up on this horse like all the other lowlifes that have beaten him and passed him from home to home!
If 18years experiance riding, schooling and showing for other people sounds imcompetant to you please explain what I shoul be doing or is giving nasty comments on here one of your hobbies?

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh grow up for goodness sake.

Actually read what you have written in you OP.

2 things made me think you aren't competant enough

1. you seemed to think that riding a nervous horse only a few hours of getting him home is "competant" horsemanship.

2. you failed, until it was too late, to notice that the saddle wasn't correctly done up.

and i really wouldn't think the horse "bolted"..more of a scared "scoot", which nervous/novice animals are apt to do..

And no, i'm not suggesting i take on this animal at all....personally not interested.

you are 22...hardly "experienced" for 18 years TBF...it just means you've been around horses/ponies for 18 yrs..not sure you were backing/bringing on at the age of 3??

good on you for not "giving up on him" though...
just take things a little slower...i'm sure you will appreciate it in terms of injuries, and above all, the horse will!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What part of what i said gave you the opinion im not competant enough to dea with him? or are you mearly being bitchy and suggestion someone such as yourself should be dealing with such a horse?

[/ QUOTE ]

JM correct me if I'm wrong but my initial thoughs are:

The fact you didn't give him time to settle in.

The fact your saddle was either incorrectly fitted or the girth was not tight enough.

The fact that the horse could well have suffered a serious further set back due to slipping saddle, falling rider and generally being pushed too quickly in a new home.

ETS: I wanted to add that I didn't read JM reply as being b!tchy, I think she was just trying to give advice that was best for horse and rider. 18 years in the saddle does not spell experience, you could have been riding one horse for that entire time or only had straight forward horse to ride.

[/ QUOTE ]

you don't need correcting PS......

Thank You.
smile.gif
 
please do not get me wrong but i do think you have rushed him he needs time to get use to things and adjust to things
i hope you and him will be ok and will have loads of fun together
 
I am going to have to jump to Sarahgemas defence here, although i dont ride - i was there with the horse at every step of its induction onto the new yard!
1. He is here to get better and will start as we mean to go on, the horse hacked and worked absolutely fine in its first 2 days it was here!
2. Anyone owning a welsh d will no saddles to fit this kind of horse are few and far between, money is no object when it comes to correctly fitting saddle hence my other 6 year old has had 6 saddles in 3 years all fitted by reputable master saddlers! And let me tell you they still roll if slight shape changes take place!
3. Sarahgema is more than competent and rides 5-6 differnet horses weekly for less competent riders on the livery yard! (this is a livery yard with over 100 horses with various levels of expertise)
4. Defeat is not a word in our vocabulary thats why he is like he is because idiots buy them realise they are not happy hackers and sell them on to any old dealer/idiot!
5. Elmo was scared and bolted - no biggy this happens with 99% of horses, every now and again they will have a spastic fit they are after all animals with minds of their own! Infact as calm as i generally am every now and again I too go off on one!
Thats Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No offence meant to anyone on this forum, Saragema was giving you an update of the events since buying Elmo and in a few weeks time we'll give you another.

Just to clarify this forum is to share experiences ask advice / receive advice, not to judge people and slate them at any opportunity?
 
You buy problem horses and that is what happens at some point.

You post things on forums asking for peoples advice and or praise and that is what happens.

the rehabilitation of problem horses is a massively rewarding experience, but it needs to be remembered that the horse has issues and no doubt throughout the last couple of years several 'experienced' people will have had a shot at correcting the horses merely adding to overall problems.

Have you identified the issues yet?? observation gradual increased expectations are fundamentally the key imo. Have you had its teeth and back checked?

How can you change a horse when you don't know its problems?

x x
 
[ QUOTE ]

1. He is here to get better and will start as we mean to go on, the horse hacked and worked absolutely fine in its first 2 days it was here!


[/ QUOTE ]
Which is often the case when a horse moves yards. Problems generally start after 2-3 days once the horse starts to get used to its surroundings.

I'm sorry but at 20 I was very experienced as well. Another 28 years on I realise I know jack for certain. However, I have learnt (sadly from experience) that riding a tricky horse with a loose girth is going to be a problem. If you cant tighten the girth once mounted then lunge for a few minutes then re-tighten girth before mounting.
 
99% of horses DO NOT bolt. They may jink, bound forward, spook, or start with fear. Bolting is a state where the horse runs, virtually blindly, out of its own and its riders control. In over 40 years of riding I have met two horses who genuinly bolted.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am going to have to jump to Sarahgemas defence here, although i dont ride - i was there with the horse at every step of its induction onto the new yard!
1. He is here to get better and will start as we mean to go on, the horse hacked and worked absolutely fine in its first 2 days it was here!

[/ QUOTE ] but a quote from your "we picked him up today" thread says [ QUOTE ]
a couple of big spooks in the indoor arena

[/ QUOTE ][ QUOTE ]

2. Anyone owning a welsh d will no saddles to fit this kind of horse are few and far between, money is no object when it comes to correctly fitting saddle hence my other 6 year old has had 6 saddles in 3 years all fitted by reputable master saddlers! And let me tell you they still roll if slight shape changes take place!

[/ QUOTE ] And you managed to get a master saddler out within hours of him coming home?[ QUOTE ]

3. Sarahgema is more than competent and rides 5-6 differnet horses weekly for less competent riders on the livery yard! (this is a livery yard with over 100 horses with various levels of expertise)

[/ QUOTE ] Which begs the question why she needed tocome on here and ask for advice, whilst explaining some fairly novicey mistakes she/you had made. [ QUOTE ]

4. Defeat is not a word in our vocabulary thats why he is like he is because idiots buy them realise they are not happy hackers and sell them on to any old dealer/idiot!

[/ QUOTE ] well let's hope the people he's been sold on to here don't fit YOUR description of them . .[ QUOTE ]

5. Elmo was scared and bolted - no biggy this happens with 99% of horses, every now and again they will have a spastic fit they are after all animals with minds of their own! Infact as calm as i generally am every now and again I too go off on one!

[/ QUOTE ] Firstly, your use of the term "spastic" is deeply offensive. Secondly, see my reply to your point 4. Thirdly, he's Welsh, he bolted and the arena fence is intact? Believe me, when they bolt they ain't stopping for a fence. 99% of horses do NOT bolt - except in the eyes of novices. If you've ever been on a true bolter then you know all about it and not even 1% of horses do it "every now and again"".

[ QUOTE ]


Thats Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ] But not for very long if your jockey uses so little protective gear that from a fall in an arena she has "no skin on her back", perhaps safety stirrups and a body protector might help next time.

[ QUOTE ]

No offence meant to anyone on this forum,

[/ QUOTE ]
In that case you'd better be more careful about your choice of derogatory terms. See my reply to your point 5. above. [ QUOTE ]
Saragema was giving you an update of the events since buying Elmo and in a few weeks time we'll give you another.

[/ QUOTE ] Oh, it read like saragema was rather shocked and asking for advice how to stop the horse "bolting" again. Hopefully the next update will be more positive and NOT a "disaster" thread like this one.[ QUOTE ]


Just to clarify this forum is to share experiences ask advice / receive advice,

[/ QUOTE ] yup - and a couple of very experienced people are showing their concern for your jockey and your horse here and would have been willing to share their advice with you [ QUOTE ]
not to judge people and slate them at any opportunity?

[/ QUOTE ] Did you read Saragema's reply to JM07?
 
Anyone get the feeling that they are one person instead of two? The spelling mistakes in the op and the sidekicks reply are a wee bit too sim imo
confused.gif
Maybe they went to the same school
grin.gif
. M.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I am going to have to jump to Sarahgemas defence here, although i dont ride - i was there with the horse at every step of its induction onto the new yard!
1. He is here to get better and will start as we mean to go on, the horse hacked and worked absolutely fine in its first 2 days it was here!

[/ QUOTE ] but a quote from your "we picked him up today" thread says [ QUOTE ]
a couple of big spooks in the indoor arena

[/ QUOTE ][ QUOTE ]

2. Anyone owning a welsh d will no saddles to fit this kind of horse are few and far between, money is no object when it comes to correctly fitting saddle hence my other 6 year old has had 6 saddles in 3 years all fitted by reputable master saddlers! And let me tell you they still roll if slight shape changes take place!

[/ QUOTE ] And you managed to get a master saddler out within hours of him coming home?[ QUOTE ]

3. Sarahgema is more than competent and rides 5-6 differnet horses weekly for less competent riders on the livery yard! (this is a livery yard with over 100 horses with various levels of expertise)

[/ QUOTE ] Which begs the question why she needed tocome on here and ask for advice, whilst explaining some fairly novicey mistakes she/you had made. [ QUOTE ]

4. Defeat is not a word in our vocabulary thats why he is like he is because idiots buy them realise they are not happy hackers and sell them on to any old dealer/idiot!

[/ QUOTE ] well let's hope the people he's been sold on to here don't fit YOUR description of them . .[ QUOTE ]

5. Elmo was scared and bolted - no biggy this happens with 99% of horses, every now and again they will have a spastic fit they are after all animals with minds of their own! Infact as calm as i generally am every now and again I too go off on one!

[/ QUOTE ] Firstly, your use of the term "spastic" is deeply offensive. Secondly, see my reply to your point 4. Thirdly, he's Welsh, he bolted and the arena fence is intact? Believe me, when they bolt they ain't stopping for a fence. 99% of horses do NOT bolt - except in the eyes of novices. If you've ever been on a true bolter then you know all about it and not even 1% of horses do it "every now and again"".

[ QUOTE ]


Thats Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ] But not for very long if your jockey uses so little protective gear that from a fall in an arena she has "no skin on her back", perhaps safety stirrups and a body protector might help next time.

[ QUOTE ]

No offence meant to anyone on this forum,

[/ QUOTE ]
In that case you'd better be more careful about your choice of derogatory terms. See my reply to your point 5. above. [ QUOTE ]
Saragema was giving you an update of the events since buying Elmo and in a few weeks time we'll give you another.

[/ QUOTE ] Oh, it read like saragema was rather shocked and asking for advice how to stop the horse "bolting" again. Hopefully the next update will be more positive and NOT a "disaster" thread like this one.[ QUOTE ]


Just to clarify this forum is to share experiences ask advice / receive advice,

[/ QUOTE ] yup - and a couple of very experienced people are showing their concern for your jockey and your horse here and would have been willing to share their advice with you [ QUOTE ]
not to judge people and slate them at any opportunity?

[/ QUOTE ] Did you read Saragema's reply to JM07?

[/ QUOTE ]

The thread says I am in so much pain - not can you tell me???????????
I never said this horse had a master saddler see it, you did!
One persons reasoning of bolting to another could be different eg this horse set off in gallop didnt buck bronk rear spin round and didnt break the fence, to me if he set off he bolted! If you choose to describe that with differnet terminology then thats your choice not a critisicm
Most people offer good advice and share experiences some people come out with ridiculous comments!
Some people want a debate - which i think is very healthy as long as your constructive!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Not the horses fault because he was just scared, but how can i get him out of this?

[/ QUOTE ]
You're probably going to have to take a big step back from this, and just slow things right down. I suspect your term 'bolting' would be 'shooting off' perhaps to most of us, rather than a blind panic, nobody at home bolt. The saddle slipping badly would upset a lot of horses and probably accerbated the problem.

I personally would want to take things a lot slower and quieter with him - building his confidence up slowly. Hacking with three others is great - but keep the work down to walk and ocassional trotting only - the canter work only serving to upset and wind up the more nervous horse.

Perhaps work on the ground with him in the school - building up your relationship with him and also allowing him to fitten up without the risk of a badly fitting saddle slipping again.

As you say elsewhere - section D's can be difficult to fit saddles to. However, if you work with your saddler a solution should be arrived at, hopefully quite quickly. And also the fitter and slimmer he is the more chance you'll have of fitting a saddle to him well. Fieldhouse saddles are great for his type of build.

Sounds like you had a real bump. Poor old you.
 
Top