Am I the only one to have a wobble with a new horse?

[Asimmons]

Son Henry has defo outgrown his 14hh, so , after many tears at prospect of parting with her, we have finally found the next one up...15.1hh Jasper, Welsh D. "Quietest horse ever" etc(still got the 14hh...). Went to collect him...wdn't go on the lorry..started to feel worried..have I done right thing etc etc. .. Get him on eventually, get him home. Get's himself in a muck sweat in the stable, panics everytime he loses sight of me, gallops around the paddock....all very understandable. Ride out after 24 hrs..lots of big sit-down spooks( know what I mean?). Turn him out with the girls...they see him off.
Today,practice loading again as taking him to a dressage clinic on Sat ( yes, he is for my son but I will dressage him through the winter ). Problems. 1 hr later after much coaxing( can't use a stick as he freaks ...must have been beaten as a youngster) he walks on and off and on and off anf on again. Huge praise/treats etc...but before he did that I did think 'what have I done!!! I have bought a big, stubborn unknown quantity.. However, much redeemed by sudden capitulation re ramp.
We will try again tomorrow...
Does everyone have these doubts? I KNOW it takes ages for a horse to settle and to build a bond but I still had a wobble...

 

[katie_southwest]

Yes everyone has these doubts...try not to worry. Give it a few months and if hes still the same THEN start to worry! My mare still has the odd moment and iv had her nearly a year

 

[Syrah]

No, you're not alone.

I'd even go so far to say that most have a wobble at some point.

It sounds as though you are making progress already with the loading.

 

[SillyMare]

Always!

The most recent one I bought - ex-racehorse, perfect behaviour when we saw him on the racing yard. Got him home and he spent the first 3 days on his hind legs! Tried to climb over his stable door every time we opened the top!

We went through the 'oh no, what have we bought!' stage.

He has turned out to be a lovely horse - just gets himself a bit worried about things sometimes. Now he is settled you couldn't wish for a better mannered or kinder horse.

 

[saz5083]

I spent the whole first year of owning my big coloured lad thinking 'what have i done'! He was unhandled, flighty and very quirky. I would now class him as the most amazing, talented horse I have ever owned and wouldnt swap him for anything (I would have paid someone to take him away in that first year!)
I think its perfectly normal to have a few wobbles til you get to know each other. I'm sure things will work out and when you look back you'll wonder what you were ever worried about.

Good luck with him. D's are great, I still have mine after 15 years! (showjumping pic in sig )

 

[cobden99]

I wouldnt worry too much yet, its early days. Welsh cobs can be quite sensitive, despite the exterior

 

[burtondog]

You're def not alone.

My new boy was a total stress head when he arrived and at various points over the first few weeks I thought he was possibly a headshaker, weaver, rearer and bargy git in general. He settled down within a month, then unfortunately I moved yards and he went through the whole 'stressy' process again ! He's fine again now.

Sounds like you're making progress already though.

 

[henryhorn]

Some Welsh cobs are like that, but do settle down with a little time.
Our old one was a pain in the bum if kept in alone, but eventually got sensible enough to load himself in the trailer and stand quietly at shows, though it took until he was 5!
I think once this new horse trusts you he will be fine, and would do lots of ground work like lunging and even long reining for a while as well as riding him.
I don't think you've made a mistake but they can behave exactly as you describe, it's a WC thing I'm afraid!

 

[Booboos]

Yep, almost all of them have a wobble in a new home sooner or later. I am sure he will settle and be lovely, but if you don't mind my saying so, perhaps it would be better to skip the dressage clinic so soon and give him a chance to get used to his surroundings at home.

 

[Asimmons]

Thank you all so much for all the support and advice. Booboos...you may well have a point....I shall ponder! I did ask the owner and she said to crack on.. However, I think he IS a sensitive type and prob the kune kune piglets...b only gay in the village!!! (apologies to anyone who does not get the Little Britain reference!!!). I would take my little welshy but SHE got a cut running away from the Kune Kune pigs....that's a whole different story!

 

[Asimmons]

Sorry...typing went all pear shaped!!! Jasper is the only gay...saffron ran from the pigs...see separate story!

 

[dawnpetenathshir]

If its any comfort my boy is the most chilled pony ever, but I moved him recently and he became very silly and spooky. He's been at the new place about 6 weeks now and at last I've got my chilled boy back. Maybe he just needs time to settle

 

[Asimmons]

You are all so right! Time, time and more time.....

 

[Peanot]

It is true that most horses test their new owners to see what they can and cant do. It is like sorting out the pecking order like they do with horses. It is a case of being firm but fair and start as you mean to go on. He will come right in the end.