A problem. What to do with this horse?

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moneypit1

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This is Meg. She belongs to a friend and is 5 years old. She is well bred and CHAPS registered. Briefly......she was backed successfully last January after heaps of long reining etc. She is a sensitive soul and her owner never took to her as she was always a bit spooky. She went away to someone who worked for a well know NH trainer for 6 months with a view to buy and came back last Wednesday. Apparently she had been away to camp, done xc, was going beautifully but had not been ridden for the last 6 weeks. To cut a long story short, my friend brought her over to me today to assess what she had learnt. She was fine until an aid lent over her. She flipped and acted like an unbacked 2 year old. Obviously something has gone amiss. She is nervous and sensitvie to touch in the girth area. The pic is of today. My firend wants rid. She has offered her to me to re-back and sell on with a 50/50 split on whatever we make. I just do not have the time with my own youngster to produce. Basically, just wondered if anyone was interested? Obvioulsy will have to discuss with my friend but I think the mare needs re-starting from scratch. Feel free to PM me if you have any good ideas!
p.s. forgot to add, the mare has the most amazing jump, she is very scopey and has been jumped under saddle. She is around 15hh. Hope this is not seen as advertising, it really is a genuine request for advice.
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You've probably had it done but just in case, have you had her back checked? From what you describe with the sensitivity in the girth area and the freaking out when someone put weight on her back she may have probelms with her back or maybe with her tack. It'd be worth checking both if you haven't already. It does seem a little strange that she had not been ridden for 6 weeks before going back to her owner, was there any reason given for that?
 
What a lovely little horse, i hope you dont mind me stressing that i would very strongly suggest that you have her back checked buy sports massage therapist, as this is most likely to be the reason why she is behaving like this. If there was a problem with her back 6 weeks ago when she was ridden the problem will not have gone through rest alone . Part of my job involves starting and re-starting horses and before we even begin to handle or work any horse, they are checked out by our massage therapist and any problem areas usually treated and cured within one or 2 treatments. I am sure that she will regain trust fairly quickly if she is painfree and you should be able to resume long lining shortly
 
can't you get bit more info from the loan home she was at??? bit odd. is your friend sure the loan home did all the things they said with her??? could be she tried it on the first day or whatever and they haven't touched her since????
 
Is it possible she sustained an injury whilst away? Has she had a vet check? Has the NH been asked about possible causes?

Seems peculiar she has gone away to be brought on and not ridden for six weeks. Six weeks is an awfully long time in an youngsters education, perhaps she has regressed?
 
The first thing I would do is contact the loaner, and ask them what they think and maybe to come over to have a look at her. Of course, in 6 weeks she may have injured herself in the field, so it's worth getting her checked physically as well.
If the "NH trainer" who this person worked for was involved at all in her training, maybe it's worth speaking to him/her as well.
 
I may know of someone very experienced who might be interested, will let you know when I have been in touch with them
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On the face of it, this seems like a bit of an over-reaction to me. If your friend trusts that the loaner is telling the truth then something has gone amiss, but with all the horse has been doing it's unlikely to be a training issue requiring re-backing. Of course, I'm saying if the loaner is telling the truth, but assuming they are honest then it seems likely that it's teeth, back or tack as they say.
 
Thankies everyone. I will advise my friend to get the mares teeth and back checked. It is so odd. I think something has happened and the loaners are not saying. Something does not add up. I have enough with my own youngster at the moment TBH and he is going so well I want to concentrate on him. I think she will practically give the mare away which is a shame as she was a cracker in February prior to going away. The trouble is, she now distrusts which is a bloody nightmare. It is always so much harder with one that has been 'started' and now has 'issues'. I will try and find out as much as poss and possibly shoot a video of her next weekend if I have time to 'try again'. x
 
She sounds well screwed up to me. Has the owner been to see her working while she's been on loan?

I hope she finds the right home now and they can turn her around.
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I hope you friend gets to the bottom of this, trouble is not everyone is kind to a horse that is sensitive. Some will pull them over backwards or tie them down . It sounds like there has been trouble and something has happened. Why did she get turned out for 6 weeks?
I feel sorry for the poor little thing and hope she finds someone who understands her and has patience
 
What made you want to have someone lean over her rather than getting straight on??

Would she be any happier in a saddle that may be a better fit for her? If she's a sensative soul, the smallest things can make a massive difference.

She looks a little cracker. How's she bred?
 
Thankies everyone. I do not know all the details but will try and get to the bottom of it this week when I see her again. AmyMay, We lent over her because she was an 'unknown quantity' to me, we always do this for safety's sake. I agree about the saddle WhiteDaisy, will mention it to her owner. Thanks for all the PM's, I will get back to all of you this week when I have more to tell you. I also will try and get some more pics of her under saddle etc. Just worth mentioning, the loaners had her with a view to buy for 6 months and insist NOTHING has happened but say they did not have time the last 6 weeks. They are very experienced and compete successfully at a high level.
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Re, the leaning over - fair enough makes sense. I just wondered if you had got a 'feeling' from her that she may be tricky.

I think the first thing I'd look at is the saddle, as it clearly doesn't fit - and it may be as simple a problem as that.

Good luck with her, I think she looks like a really nice sort.
 
I have a horse that would floor you if you gave it 6 weeks off! It's not uncommon, I like her a lot so please keep me on your PM list for options as she's my type of pony!
 
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