Advice needed urgently!!

[Merricked]

Right, I posted a thread a few days ago called 'New horse.. Help?'
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?632558-New-horse-Help

It explains my situation. Now, I rode Merrick today -with the saddle - for around half an hour and he went surprisingly well for about ten minutes and then began to act up again, now he's even throwing in a buck or two. My mum came in and walked around with him whilst I sat on his back and he was fine. The things he had been spooking at whilst she wasn't in the field, he walked straight past and didn't blink an eye. He walked where she walked, not spooking at the electric fence, nor staring at the other horses. He was perfect.

So, we've now established he's fine to ride.. If he has someone to follow.
Is it me? Is he just trying to push me and see how far he can go?
Any suggestions welcome! It's getting to the point where we're starting to think he may be the wrong horse for me; other than his amazing, placid nature. I really don't want to see him go, but it won't be fair on him to be wasted in a field and unable to be ridden.
If we can get the hiccup with the riding sorted, he would be the perfect pony for me.

 

[9tails]

Mine still spooks in the school when she thinks she can get away with it! On a few occasions in the past, I had to get off and walk her past a scary object out on a hack. I haven't done that for a few years now, but it never occurred to me to get rid of her. You haven't had him long, horses aren't push button and I suggest you give yourself and him some time to settle into a relationship.

 

[Echo Bravo]

I think you are doing yourself down a little, sounds like he's fine but you are just that little worried that he's always going to be like this. The more you handle and ride him the more confidence you will gain in both yourself and him. In a couple of months time you will be wondering what you were worried about as most parnterships go through this stage a bit like marriage you have to work at it.

 

[Merricked]

I really hope it'll all work out!

Took him out for his first hack today, and he's actually done my back in. He took off in canter until stopping dead at a ditch, when trying to get him back onto the bridle path and off the corn field, he trotted off until he stopped, bucked, and I'm not sure what he did next but it felt like he was broncking. Where he pulled the reins so hard out of my hands, it pulled me over his neck and I felt my back go. I have a curved spine as it is, and may need an operation in the near future (depending on what the specialist says when we see him in october). If this carries on, much to my disappointment I'd have to sell him on or return him to his previous owner.

I'm really clutching at straws here..
Would getting him professionally schooled help at all? My aunt goes to a riding school where they board your horse and work with them to improve their riding. Would this help or is there anything else I can do?
I don't wanna see him go! :frown3:

 

[fattylumpkin]

First *hugs* don't stress and don't panic! You're being way too hard on yourself

Does it feels like he's anticipating danger everywhere? Is he holding his head high and always on alert mode? It might really help him to go board at another stables and tire him out and make him more attentive to you. Or you can figure out ways to burn off some energy before taking him off the yard Lunging for example, although I'm starting to love in-hand schooling because it gives a real work out. I find going back to some basics really helps too: gets the horse thinking and solving problems instead of just exploding at random moments. Plastic bags on sticks, huge rainbow coloured umbrellas, tarp, even poles or rubber matting on the ground can get the horse thinking and listening to your directions. Ride or lunge him as many days in the week as you possibly can and introduce something new each session. Get him into a routine of working and he'll come to expect it, rather than treat it as being taken out of his comfort zone.

Going out with someone walking alongside is fine too if it saves your back and your nerves! My husband used to cycle out with me when I was handling a difficult warmblood for someone and it made all the difference - a couple of weeks of daily long walks with the odd bit of trotting really calmed the horse down, whereas before he'd spook literally every 5 steps or so.

At the end of the day you should do whatever makes you feel safe and engages the horse and makes him work, even if it's just for 20 minutes and you don't even get on his back. Before you know it 20 minutes of work can soon turn into 30, then 40, then and hour and then 2 hours. But doing it as often as possible makes the difference and will save you from being too discouraged at any setbacks.

Hoping the best for you Merricked please keep updating, and have faith in yourself!

 

[Merricked]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Yeah, he's very curious and is always looking wherever he can, often causing him to stumble over his own feet! I'm gonna see how he goes for the next week or two being ridden and trying out what you suggested with the plastic bags etc, and if I'm still a bit iffy I'll get him boarded at the stables and see how he goes with that. My aunty's coming over the weekend after next and she used to ride racehorses, so she's very confident and said she'll get on him and see how he goes/if he plays her up, too, or if its just me. My mum will walk with me when I next hack out but I'll ride him around the field until I feel up to it.

Thank you so much, that's really helped! I just want the best for my baby, but trying to figure out how to go about it is overwhelming! :redface3:

 

[fattylumpkin]

That sounds like a great action plan let us know how you get on!

 

[showpony]

OP, have you been in touch with the previous owner??

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Excellent advice from fattylumpkin. I imagine that when someone is walking with you , you relax, which helps the horse to relax

 

[Morgan123]

Firstly have you had the saddle double checked yet? I still think you need to rule that out as it still could be the issue ( even if he's ok when following someone - it could just be that the saddles uncomfortable hence he problems you're having on your own but he likes following so is willing to ignore it). Because you say he is generally nice natured I think you need to take seriously the idea that he might be in pain, before anything else.

If you've ruled out pain, then he may just be taking the p and getting someone experienced will definitely help, make sure you work with them though so they help Him to be the right horse for you/help you to see what they're doing.

Good luck nd keep us updated!

 

[Morgan123]

Also, if you DO end up needing to get someone experienced ride him, I would try and get someone to come to the yard a few times a week (while you're there) rather than sending him away. If you send him away, it's expensive, he has to settle in a new place, and you have no idea what they're doing with him. Even if they do a good job, that still won't completely help you as you won't know how they've overcome these problems. If you pay someone to come and ride him while yore there you can see what they do and if anything else comes up in the future it will be far more useful for you.

 

[Merricked]

I haven't been in touch with the previous owner but my mum's said it might be worth doing to see what she thinks.
We're getting the saddler back out this week to double check.

Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[YorksG]

He may be adjusting to your back issues, someone I know had a cutvature of her back and her horse took a while to'get ' it.