Advice needed youngster

[horse_lover]

I bought a horse in January, a 16.1 TB gelding, he is 4, will be 5 in April. He was in a pretty bad way when I got him, very skinny and his legs were scabby, from compression bandage wounds, he was also riddled with lice. He was at a training yard as a 2yr old to race, but didnt make the grade so has been passed from home to home ever since. I am his 4th home in less than 12mths. 6wks on he is now nice and round, lice free and hair is slowly starting to grow back on his legs.

He is now becoming a bit of a handful, we started doing ground work, lunging and long reining, he has also been on the walker. My problem is our outdoor school is now completely waterlogged and very deep and I can't use it. I honestly cant see it getting any better for at least the next 2 mths thats if we have dry weather for all that time. If I dont start hacking out I feel like I cannot do anything but put on the walker and as a baby I dont want that for him. I have been getting conflicting advice from people at the yard I am on as to what I should be doing with regards to hacking and schooling. I want to do everything right, but need some advice on what to do, anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Shysmum]

Hi there ! He sounds a sweetheart

Firstly, take the pressure off yourself, there is nothing any of us can do about this bloomin weather, and I think many of us are struggling. My boy is 4, and I'm desperate to get schooling, but I'm stuck too.

So in the meantime, I'm doing groundwork, lead work, grooming, and as we can hack out, altho only on roads cos of the ground, we do that. I loathe roadwork, but we have no choice atm.

You are so lucky having a horse walker - I'd make use of it until things improve, which shouldn't be tooooooooo long and then you have the advantage of a fitter horse to work with.

Good luck and let us know how you both get on

 

[TopTotty]

Hi, does your horse have any turn out or is he stuck in the stable all day? This can make a massive difference as I'm sure you are well aware. When I was Yard Manager at the TRC we refused to rehome our ex race horses to yards where they could not have turnout for the reasons you are experiencing.
This said if you can not offer turn out then you must make sure what you do is a safe as possible and not put yourself in unnecessary danger. If you feel that riding etc could end up in an accident or a situation may arise that you are not happy with then do not do it. Can you take him for a walk rather than riding? Can you long rein him along the lanes?
I agree with shysmum about taking the pressure of yourself and just doing things that can help you bond and enjoy each other can be as satisfying and more beneficial in the long run. What about trying some massage techinques with him also.
You sound like you are doing all the right things and you have obviously made him so much better in himself than he was and this will also be contributing to his behaviour.
If you are not already, can you feed him hay not haylage and just a feed balancer?
My best advice to you is do not rush him. He has not had a good start and luckily he has now found you. These horses can need a lot of patience and time and the worst thing you can do is ask too much too soon.
If you want to ask me anything else please feel free to pm me. I am on the trainers list for the ROR so am more than willing to help you with any problems you may face in the future.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

If you're not keen to get on his back outside of the school,lead him out inhand on hacks forthe time being. Get yourself a coupling, tack him up, knee boots on (him hat & gloves (you) and off you go. My one worry with horse walker is you don't want him getting too fit by the time you ride!

 

[horse_lover]

Thanks guys, maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself. Its the first time I have taken on a young horse so just worry I am not doing the right thing by him.

He is turned out every day, thank god he is out by 9/9.30am at the latest (the yard I am at turnout) and I dont bring him in until about 6pm. I am not sure I would trust him long reining along the lanes, but I think I will start trying to lead him out, he is pretty nappy around the yard so probably best if I take him out with another to start.

Blazingsaddles you definately have the same way of thinking as me, didnt want too make him too fit before getting on

Thanks Jeni Ball will definately keep you in mind for any future help