Advice please.........what on earth should i do??

[skychick]

Would love to hear your opinions please..........

Ok here we go.

In march i bought my horse a 14.2 ish x cob. He is not my first horse. I have been riding for 15 years. Anyway....i wanted a horse to do some hacking, schooling, funrides and the odd local show or 2.
I tried a few horses and then tried him and we seemed to click. I rode him in the school. Hacked him out alone. And he was fine in the stable.
I literally asked about everything....is he ok on his own. Will he hack alone. What is he like in company, on fun rides etc??
He seemed perfect, so i bought him. Got him home and thats when the fun started. He wouldnt settle despite being near other horses. I moved him to a livery yard up the road and he settled fine.
Rode him in the school whilst getting to know him. Then hacked him out alone....thats when i found out he napped.....like a goodun!
So for the next month hacked out only with others. Anyway....with a lot of hard work and ground work....i have got him hacking out alot better on his own. We have had some nice rides together and some nice canters around fields.
And we had really started to bond on the ground. He is good in the school. Not perfect but well behaved (most of the time) and jumping wise he will literally jump anything you point him at.
He can be sharp, with a mini rear,spin buck if he didnt want to do something....this is fine. I am big enough and experienced enough to deal with it with no problems. He is also spooky...but that doesnt bother me at all.

So.....sunday i take him to the fun ride in Hemyock (devon) and good god was that an experience. And to anyone that saw his performance (a leaping plunging jogging 14.2 skewbald i do appologise).
I went there with 2 ex racers. One a 7 year old that is perfect in all spheres. and a 4 yo whos first fun ride it was. Whilst waiting to get our numbers he fidgeted alot....which i totally expected, running backwards and spinning and the odd mini rear. Nothing out of the ordinary.
When we got going....i couldnt believe it. He literally spent the whole ride apart from when we were cantering/jumping leaping and plungeing. And i am not talking about small ones either. This was properly aerbourne really meaning business. So....i survived about 50 of these....(and i am not exaggerating that number). We got onto the common about an hour and a half/2 hours into the fun ride (he was still jogging, leaping, throwing his head down and rein snatching) when i finally came off. i was too exhausted to stay on any longer. Went flying over his shoulder and landed on my pelvis first with the back of my head smacking the ground. Luckily my friend on the 4yo caught him and i got back on. We went down a steep track where he got me off twice more, and cantered off after i had fallen off a second time. My friends caught him both times. He had fathomed out that if he did two plunges in succession it would ditch me.
So i lead him the last mile of it ..... i didnt want to get back on on the road and risk any futher injuries.
He didnt settle the whole way home either, that was a 4 mile hack.
Its ridiculous seeing as i deliberately didnt get him super fit, just in case, yet he would have gone around that ride again. Everyone elses horses on the yard were shattered even the competition horses. I turned him out and he charged around for a while. Utter madness. I will add he is 12 years old. I had expected a bit of jogging maybe the odd buck....but not 4 hours of rodeo riding.

So i have got a horse that i can hack perfectly in company, getting better on his own. He is ok in the school. But i am never doing another fun ride on him (am banned by the oh!!!) after coming back barely able to move covered in cuts, bruises and grazes and with concussion (oh and 4 bloody horse fly bites to add insult to injury!) I was going to be doing a show with him next month but i am unsure whether to take him as i would hate for him to hurt a child or me through his antics.

He is a bit of a sensitive sole. He doesnt take kindly to being handled roughly. He gets upset if his routine changes at all. But he has his good points. He is perfect to catch, he is perfect on a lead rein, he doesnt kick. He is good for the farrier. he travels. he is good in the school and has a beautiful jump. he is not strong.

But now i need to decide what to do with him.

I dont want to go competing on a regular basis, but wold like to do the odd fun ride, local show, etc.

He used to do all sorts with one owner, who owned him a year ago.She had had him for 4 years and had done all sorts with him and had a good relationship with him and only sold him because she wanted to do BE eventing and he couldnt do the heights she wanted to do. She then sold him to the person i bought him from had him for 7 months, and sold him saying he was getting in the way of her school work, she was 13, but i think the real reason is that she didnt get on with him, and i have had him for coming up 4 months).

I really dont know what to do with him. I love him to pieces and he is a cracking jumping pony and lovely boy, but i would love the option to do the odd fun ride etc.
He has his quirks and could never be a childs pony.

I dont know if anyone would buy him knowing that he can be a bit nappy alone, and he does have the odd buck, spin etc. But he would be perfect for someone just wanting to hack out alone or with another horse and just to do a bit of schooling at home. He is perfect in any traffic so would make a good hack with the right person.

I could never send him to the market as i know he would probably be bought and sold as a childs pony (he is beautifully marked and a very pretty horse and being 14.2 would probably be thought of as a childs pony) so i wouldnt want to risk that happening. Also him being so sensitive it wouldnt bring out his best and he would probably end up with mr meat man.

I dont know whether to keep him and just forget any idea of doing anything other than schooling or hacking.

The person who had him for 4 years would have him back if she had money to buy him (she has other horses but loved him so much she would have him back). So do i give him to her, where i know he would be treated well and have a long term loving home.

:-( i really dont know what to do. I am so upset as i really do love him to pieces.


What would you all do??

Sorry i have completely rambled on. Tea/coffe/wine/cakes/jelly tots all round.

 

[Sparkles]

Why not put him on loan/LWVTB if you can find someone for him by you...and you get a horse that you can do everything with that you want?

Or just try and borrow a horse for fun rides?

Or try calmers or similar to see if they have an effect?

Jelly tots though, I feel for you

 

[Hoofprints in the Snow]

Have you had his back and teeth checked. You could try a calmative to get him out to things, some are better than others tho so trial and error really. Also calm and condition by allen and page may help.
Could his previous owner come out and see if he behaves the same with her.
Sorry if not helpful, but have been in similar position.

 

[brighteyes]

Daft question, but did you just sit there while he was dishing out these leaps and bucks?

Sounds to me like he got himself mega wound up. What does the original owner say? I wouldn't say it's the end of the world at all and he has plenty going for him already. It doesn't sound insurmountable to me. Did you pin the behaviour trigger down to any particular thing, like horses passing him at speed?

 

[jhoward]

is it worth taking him to a show and seeing what hes like? He may b fine. I certinally dont think u should givehim away nor that hes unsaleable you would just need to be very honest.

 

[LauraWheeler]

(((((((((hugs)))))))))) So sorry he was so horrid he has been doing so well.
You have only had him 3/4 months and have come so far already. If it where me i would persaver but then i'm a nut case anyway
You need to do whats best for you and Paddy. I admire the fact you won't send him to market for fear of where he'll end up. Maybe he needs lots more work at home Schooling and hacking to realy build up your bond. See if you can go to some clinics that way you are sort of at a party but you are having a lesson and the instructor can help you deal with any problems. People keep asking me when i'm gonna take Horrid out but i'm in no rush. I don't care if he needs till next year before we do anything i don't want to risk all my work being undone just because people think i should be taking him out. I may just box him somewhere quiet in the forest soon and take him for a nice little ride and see how he copes with that but as i said i'm in no rush.
Good luck with whatever you deside and i hope my rambeling has been some help.

 

[blitznbobs]

When I was a teenageer I had a Welsh D who was frightened of wide open spaces and would flip if we went to the beach or park land etc. BUT he showed fine, did dressage - didn't like jumping but that was just him - so maybe he just didn't like funrides...

I'd try the show and see how he goes. If it's local, go really early and get there before everyone else - don't enter a class just walk him round if he does'nt like it you can always come home again.

Blitz

 

[Nickles1973]

This is a tricky situation for you and I do sympathise. I would say though that 4 months is not all that long really and you may just need more time to bond with each other. If he is good to do all the other things you bought him for then perhaps you could work on those and in addition spend lots of time working with him on the ground to really cement your relationship. I have had my lad for just over a year and I'm only now starting to get confident in hacking him out alone as he can be so spooky and nappy!

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Well. i hate to say this but 4 months is a very short time really. I think it often takes far more time than this to truly settle and have the absolute trust in you, especially if, as you say, he is a sensitive soul. I wouldn't rule out taking him to parties, I would just maybe take him to that show with the mind set that you are just going to take him a walk round, in hand first if necessary and get him to settle. Don't even think about doing a class. Just see how he gets on and concentrate on keeping him calm. Maybe it was all just a bit too much too soon.
I would also maybe call the old owner and ask her what she thinks. If she knows him so well then maybe she would be able to offer some advice.
He sounds like a great pony really, just got himself into such a big tizz that he couldn't help himself. If the previous girl did lots of stuff with him, then he must have been ok. I really wouldn't think about selling him yet as I reckon this will get sorted out.
Above all, keep yourself safe. I don't think I would have kept going on the fun ride with all those shenanigans lol.

 

[berry]

My horse is fine at shows but on fun rides she is a beast lol. YO borrowed her for frensham sponsered ride in april and she cantered around the lot if she was asked to slow down she just went up in the air. I took her a coulple of years ago and said never again. She reared and plunged and threw herself over jumps. I was so glad to get back in one piece lol. Was thinking abouttrying a calmer on her but I think the adrenaline will just over power the affects of the calmer.

 

[skychick]

He has had his teeth, back everything else checked. He had a brand new saddle that fits him beautifully.

He is a very jeckyl and hyde horse. One day he is really laid back others he is "quirky" as in fidgety, jumpy etc.

I have spoken to every owner bar the first one who has had him. He was bought as a foal at 9 months from a sales. That person then had him untill he was 7, when he was sold to someone for thier 12 yr old daughter as a childs pony....for a lot of money. They had the same as me....tried him in the school and round the block in traffic and he was fine. Got him home and he went wild at first like he did with me. It transpired that the woman they bought him from had not paid her livery bill and he was sold as a bad debt. Anyway they had him for a year. He had his napping/split personality back then, and it was too much for their 12 year old girl who lost her confidenc on him. So they sent him to an intelligent horsemanship woman who schooled him for a few months whilst they sold him. It was then he was sold to the girl who had him for 4 years and got on really well with him. Like she says....he will never be a straight forwards horse. It sounds like he got off to a bad start being allowed to get away with murder as a youngster. But he is the sort of horse that if you get heavy handed with does not take it too kindly.
So this girl had him for 4 years and did fun rides (she describes him as playfull....but not suicidal like he was on sunday and he was perfect for the last few she did with him). XC he was good and shows he was too. She never had the napping problem with him when hacking him alone.
He was then sold by her to the person i got him from who wanted to move onto something a bit more forward going than her previous kick along type.She tried him and got on ok with him but was advised to come and try him again whch she arranged to do but cancelld just before she was meant to turn up and said that she was coming to get him the next weekend and had arranged the lorry. So he was sold to her and she had him for 7 months. Where by the sound of it he scared her and she didnt ride him for a a couple of months.

So, it sounds like he has always had "issues".

 

[skychick]

This was going to be my next idea.......do i take him to the show and see how he gets on?? and then decide what to do.

I completely understand that 4 months is not long for them to settle etc and that he may still be a bit insecure, but this wasnt just a bit of excitement. This was 4 hours of complete and utter crazyness.

It could well be that on fun rides he is a complete nightmare and at shows he is ok.

 

[Dubsie]

Is this his first outing with you? Were you nervous at all? I'm only asking because we bought a new pony late last year for daughter, and quite frankly his first outing (to little local show) was apalling, eyes everywhere, cantering off through the car park, woudln't listen to rider, wouldn't concentrate but all exacerbated by Very Nervous Daughter holding him on a tight rein - she gets wound up like a spring if there's a test (we've just survived SATS) or competition of any sort because she wants to do well so much.

We discovered by taking him to the RS for lessons, and to various schooling sessions if she let go of him and relaxed, then he relaxed, even in strange company. So much so he'd lead bigger horses over big scary jumps! Maybe start again with a very local quiet show - we tried a walk and trot dressage she hacked to, and as everything was timed entries there were only about a dozen horses/ponies about, so not as 'busy' as a show, and definitely less so than a fun ride. She also did a teeny unafilliated sj where he did well - bit looky to start with but chilled enough to pull a rosette in his second class. We're off for a lesson again on Thursday at the RS, this time there will be about 6 in the class, and culminating in a bigger but still local show this weekend, which I might get daughter to hack to in order to calm them both!

It is early days for you and your horse, am sure it can only get better.

 

[skychick]

Daft question, but did you just sit there while he was dishing out these leaps and bucks?

Sounds to me like he got himself mega wound up. What does the original owner say? I wouldn't say it's the end of the world at all and he has plenty going for him already. It doesn't sound insurmountable to me. Did you pin the behaviour trigger down to any particular thing, like horses passing him at speed?

There wasnt really any pattern to when he was doing it. He was worse when there were horses behind him. And when we were going alongside a hedge and there were others on the otherside he would get really stupid.
Basically if you were in walk....he would do it constantly. At a trot....he tried...in canter he was fine and jumping wise he was fine.

There wasnt really an awfull lot i could do whilst he was doing it....he was aerbourne one second and as soon as his feet were on the ground he yanked the reins right out of my hands. If you lay into him....he will ditch you.
He kept doing it so violently he kept yanking his bit through his mouth. It was a complete disaster. I think i would be tempted to put a flash on him as he kept opening his mouth right up.

 

[quirky]

To be fair, many horses who are "fine" normally turn into complete beasts on a fun ride. Having many horses setting off at intervals and catching them up, others passing you, can and does blow the mind.

Unless he has scared you witless, I wouldn't write him off quite yet. Odds are, he'll behave differently again at a show.

Would it be the end of the world if you never did another "fun" ride?

If it was me, I'd try him out in other situations and see how he fares, then make a decision.

 

[Dubsie]

This was going to be my next idea.......do i take him to the show and see how he gets on?? and then decide what to do.

I completely understand that 4 months is not long for them to settle etc and that he may still be a bit insecure, but this wasnt just a bit of excitement. This was 4 hours of complete and utter crazyness.

It could well be that on fun rides he is a complete nightmare and at shows he is ok.

I'd definitely try a small local show - you can always just take him there for a look and see how he behaves, and if he's fine and your tempted then try a clear round or a small class and see how he does.

 

[skychick]

Dubsie, yes it was his first outing with me.
No i wasnt nervous at all. I was completely prepared for a bit of larking abut at the start, and for him to be joggy.
But even when he started his antics...he doesnt frighten me....for some reason i dont ever get nervous on him. He was hacked there on a loose rein and really calmly. He was super chilled out as we turned in the field.
Even when we were waiting, i kept him on a looseish rein and kept him moving about despite his fidgeting.

 

[Honey08]

It could be that he'd been hunting at some point, and thought he was again - and blew a fuse??

I would go with the joining a RC suggestion, and have lessons on him etc before going to shows - especially if you are feelin a bit shaken after the fun ride (and you've every right to feel shaken really!) as he has already shown that he can get stressed in new situations when he first arrived..

If you feel happy that you've overcome your previous problems (hacking alone etc) and still feel fine on him, then give it a bit longer. If its starting to knock your confidence, then do think about giving up.

Personally I would never go on a fun ride with my horses, as they can become "free for alls". They can be like hunting without anyone in charge! If I were you, next time I'd find a local farmride that is open every day (Somerford Park in Cheshire for example) and go mid week when it is not busy...

 

[skychick]

To be fair, many horses who are "fine" normally turn into complete beasts on a fun ride. Having many horses setting off at intervals and catching them up, others passing you, can and does blow the mind.

Unless he has scared you witless, I wouldn't write him off quite yet. Odds are, he'll behave differently again at a show.

Would it be the end of the world if you never did another "fun" ride?

If it was me, I'd try him out in other situations and see how he fares, then make a decision.

No he hasnt scared me.....but tbh...im not going to be able to ride him untill later in the week due to injuries to me....and he has hurt his mouth from all of his head snatching and yanking at the reins.

I dont think its the end of the world if i never did another fun ride. I would like the opportunity to do some jumping at a local show if im honest.

His previous owner who got on really well with him has offered to help me with him....but she lives 2 hours away so im not sure how practical that will be.

I think the best thing is to try him at the show and see what happens!

 

[Weezy]

We have a horse at our yard that just cannot do fun rides, for whatever reason it blows his mind, very much like yours! However, he is an amazing eventer, SJer, dressage horse, REALLY well behaved at shows, a great hack, everything but fun rides! So, yes, take him to a show and see, I reckon you will be very suprised

BTW, I have had my horse for over a year now and he is STILL very, very reluctant to hack alone. We have a great bond, but it is something he detests, so I don't do it unless I absolutely have to - sometimes you just have to compromise

 

[skychick]

Well. i hate to say this but 4 months is a very short time really. I think it often takes far more time than this to truly settle and have the absolute trust in you, especially if, as you say, he is a sensitive soul. I wouldn't rule out taking him to parties, I would just maybe take him to that show with the mind set that you are just going to take him a walk round, in hand first if necessary and get him to settle. Don't even think about doing a class. Just see how he gets on and concentrate on keeping him calm. Maybe it was all just a bit too much too soon.
I would also maybe call the old owner and ask her what she thinks. If she knows him so well then maybe she would be able to offer some advice.
He sounds like a great pony really, just got himself into such a big tizz that he couldn't help himself. If the previous girl did lots of stuff with him, then he must have been ok. I really wouldn't think about selling him yet as I reckon this will get sorted out.
Above all, keep yourself safe. I don't think I would have kept going on the fun ride with all those shenanigans lol.

I was hopeing that by keeping going untill the end he would be really tired and would settle and we could end on a good note!!!!

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Im in contact with the girl who did all of the things with him and she is giving me some suggestions. Although she is horrified at how he is now and how he has gone so down hill in 7 months with the person i bought him from.

I have to admit......his tantrums are like an over tired 3 year old child......he just throws everything out of the pram like he cant cope any more!! So it could be that he just couldnt handle it and had to tantrum the whole way!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Oh bless you
Well done for not wanting to just give up!

I'd say get his back and teeth checked, plus your tack and make sure its not any of that making a difference. You could try to take him to a show, just a little local one and as suggested up there, don't enter a class straight off, just let him walk round and chill out (I don't know whether it would wind him up more, but we have to lunge our mare before we mount at a show or else we have no chance!)
Then if he does completely lose his head you havent lost anything by checking it out plus its given him that little bit of experience.
At least you have seen an improvement in him since you bought him, thats got to be a positive sign?

I don't know if this will make you feel any better but my friend bought her 16.2hh TBx mare when she was 7 and she was absolutely perfect in every way, she was quiet, good to catch, hack out w/wo company, farrier, dentist, vet, school etc etc. Our farm did a charity farm ride and she completely freaked out - its such a huge thing for them to take in, so many horses, all at the same time, plus the surroundings, noises, people...!

Its only been 4 months - you seem like a very fair and determined owner (I admire that!) so give it time and my guess is things will start to become clearer

 

[skychick]

We have a horse at our yard that just cannot do fun rides, for whatever reason it blows his mind, very much like yours! However, he is an amazing eventer, SJer, dressage horse, REALLY well behaved at shows, a great hack, everything but fun rides! So, yes, take him to a show and see, I reckon you will be very suprised

BTW, I have had my horse for over a year now and he is STILL very, very reluctant to hack alone. We have a great bond, but it is something he detests, so I don't do it unless I absolutely have to - sometimes you just have to compromise

This was my first ever fun ride on any horse.....and i have to admit i can now see why it sends them dolally.....its nuts, people everywhere. Luckily we got there pretty much at the start so it was relatively quiet.

The hacking alone thing is something i am working quietly on myself. I have been doing alot in hand and with my mum/OH/some other poor unsuspecting victim on a bike and he seems to be really getting better. He is much less resistant when he does napp and tbh....he doesnt try it on as much now.

Im hopeing that he will be fine at a show....or at least....not so full on with the plungeing!! We will have to see!!!!

 

[noblesteed]

Keep going with him 4 months is not long at all.
He sounds similar to my quirky boy, calm one day, sharp, spooky and bucking the next!
It's taken me 2 years to get to grips with him and get him hacking alone, and he also goes crackers on an outing in a large group. Every time we go to riding club events he embarrasses me in some way or other by throwing himself about (or throwing me off). I'm not as brave as you, last time he got all joggy and excited I got off! I've just accepted my horse will never be a calm competition horse. However he always manages to keep a lid on himself when actually in the sj ring, as he focusses on the jumps.
SO you might find your pony is better at a show, and if not outside the ring he may be fine once he's away from the other horses and concentrating.

Don't give up just yet. It may take a while but you will get there.

 

[skychick]

Oh bless you
Well done for not wanting to just give up!

I'd say get his back and teeth checked, plus your tack and make sure its not any of that making a difference. You could try to take him to a show, just a little local one and as suggested up there, don't enter a class straight off, just let him walk round and chill out (I don't know whether it would wind him up more, but we have to lunge our mare before we mount at a show or else we have no chance!)
Then if he does completely lose his head you havent lost anything by checking it out plus its given him that little bit of experience.
At least you have seen an improvement in him since you bought him, thats got to be a positive sign?

I don't know if this will make you feel any better but my friend bought her 16.2hh TBx mare when she was 7 and she was absolutely perfect in every way, she was quiet, good to catch, hack out w/wo company, farrier, dentist, vet, school etc etc. Our farm did a charity farm ride and she completely freaked out - its such a huge thing for them to take in, so many horses, all at the same time, plus the surroundings, noises, people...!

Its only been 4 months - you seem like a very fair and determined owner (I admire that!) so give it time and my guess is things will start to become clearer

Thank you for your post.

He has definately showed signs of improvement since i have had him. He is quirky but i have been determined to work through the hacking issue.
I refuse to beat him or get heavy handed, he is too sensitive and to be honest....he is so powerful, if i do i would be on the floor in a split second.

Id like to think i was fair with him. I wont let him walk all over me....but also, i wont resort to beating him about. So hopefully in time if i persist with him he will learn to respect that and hopefully...wont try and kill me in future!!

I have had a very kind offer from someone on here who lives with me, who offered to do the same ride....but just on our own and see how he gets on as their horse is very quiet. Which is extremely kind and could be a good idea to see how going out in the open with just one other horse makes him react.

Thanks for everyone suggestions.....as i said, i love him to pieces, and i dont want to see him go! but everyone who saw him on sunday said i ought to let him go, so i wanted to see what everyone thought.

 

[Izzwizz]

First of all well done you and how brave!! My mare had issues with napping when I first got her and over time we have overcome them. I agree with much of what has already been said but one thing I did wonder, and sorry if it sounds silly. You said you got bit by horse flies. Could it be that they affected your horse, I remember years ago seeing a horse running up and down a field for no apparent reason and as I got closer I could see a fly chasing her and it wouldnt stop atall. She was going mad to escape it. Just a thought anyway.

Good luck with your horse and with more time under your belt, hopefully it will come good.

 

[LauraWheeler]

First of all well done you and how brave!! My mare had issues with napping when I first got her and over time we have overcome them. I agree with much of what has already been said but one thing I did wonder, and sorry if it sounds silly. You said you got bit by horse flies. Could it be that they affected your horse, I remember years ago seeing a horse running up and down a field for no apparent reason and as I got closer I could see a fly chasing her and it wouldnt stop atall. She was going mad to escape it. Just a thought anyway.

Good luck with your horse and with more time under your belt, hopefully it will come good.

Good point Izzwizz on the fun ride i did on Lucy a few weeks ago i nearly got bucked off a few times as Lucy had crab flys on her and she hates them. She was bucking, rearing and throwing herself around. She would have been ok if we could canter as the flys would have gone but we could only walk Poor little lady But Paddy could have had the same problem.

 

[girlmoose]

Firstly, you're very brave and he is a very naughty pony. But you know that!
I would stick at it as people have said 4 months is not long, it can take years to get to know a horse and you say this one is sensitive. However if you just want something to ride that is reliable and fun or he has scared you theres no harm in giving up. Send him back to past owner on loan, to see how see gets on, maybe have him back if you want a challenge or happy to take some time to get to know him.

Some suggestions-If he is used to (and expects) a regular home for a long time and has not had that, he may be rather insecure away from home? Maybe just needs time to feel secure. I had a pony like this. Turned him away over winter having bought him and he came back into work as a different pony.

I would also say that I have some of my worse rides around funrides! Not as bad as this, but it is definatly something horses get very excited about.

I have to admit......his tantrums are like an over tired 3 year old child......

I was wondering if maybe this is the problem, could he have been tired? I know some horses that get worse when tired not better, so could be something to bear in mind.

All these things seem to sort out over time. Also sometimes you just get those freak days. I'm sure it will work out whatever you do.

 

[MochaDun]

Doesn't sound like the fun ride was much of a fun day at all but just wondering if it was just the scenario of the fun ride that wound him up so much? My coloured 14.1 pony was taken hunting once by the woman that had him before me and it was just too much for his brain and she was a very experienced rider but had to haul out halfway through as he was just losing the plot. I was worried when I got him that taking him to shows would have the same effect but he has always been very good at them. Maybe just the amount of horses and activity of the fun ride for him was the ultimate trigger? Mine is a bit like that too though once he's lost it he's lost it. First year I went to RC camp and that on day one was also too much for him - surrounded by 50+ horses in various arenas/fields doing XC, showjumping, flatwork, my first session at camp was terrifying as he was hurtling everywhere, ahead of the next session we were napping and reversing into all the lorries but OK once in the arena but by day 2 he was fine.

Mine also napped when I first got him and it took a year of hacking out with others and building up our confidence to resolve that but still today, 6 years down the line, he will try it on...napped with me leaving the yard last night but I know what to do now. And when I first got him I would say it took a whole year for him to adjust to the seasonal routines on the yard for him to get his head round everything and totally settle.

Obviously I don't know how scary your chap can be but maybe it is a case of concentrating on the elements of the activities you do together that he is calmer with like your jumping and hacking. Mine was a challenge that first year and had to do some serious thinking and be firm and confident myself but I'm so glad I didn't give up on him. But your safety must come first and also enjoyment as shelling out lots of money to keep a horse and not getting much back is saddening. Hope it comes together for you both.

 

[Eriskayowner]

This was going to be my next idea.......do i take him to the show and see how he gets on?? and then decide what to do.

I completely understand that 4 months is not long for them to settle etc and that he may still be a bit insecure, but this wasnt just a bit of excitement. This was 4 hours of complete and utter crazyness.

It could well be that on fun rides he is a complete nightmare and at shows he is ok.

Hey.

When is the show? Is that the Hemyock one? I can hack there from my yard and go with you if you want?

I think it sounds like you did very well at the ride and it's horrible that you had such a bad time. I wouldn't give up just yet - it sounds like you've already worked through some issues so it would be a shame for all that to go to waste.

Keep going with the things you both enjoy and build some confidence back up.

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