Anyone else felt like this.....

J

JenniH

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Hello all,

Feeling very low! Bought a horse on Friday. He's lovely, but extremely strong. When I looked him over and rode him at the previous owner's stables, he was cool, calm and collected, although I recognised he had the potential to pull a bit if given the opportunty.

He is now stabled at my local livery yard, and seems like a different animal! He scared the living daylights out of me in the ring this morning when cantering on the right leg (left OK - v. odd), and I really had to fight to get him to stop, and then he nearly pulled me over going back to the field. I'm used to strong horses, but this time really feel that if he decided to take off with me, I'd have no fighting chance at stopping him. He is just so strong. I feel as if I've completely lost any confidence.

What should I do? The yard he's at is very quiet - ther never seems to be anyone around. Should I move him to a busier yard so that there are likely to be more people around if I get into difficulties? Wish I'd never gone down this line in the first place...
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were you riding in a school? I think you need to give your horse more of a chance to settle. Also what bit is he ridden in?
 
Hi JenniH, I do feel for you. i had a similar problem with my boy when I first had him. When I tried him he seemed like a 5 year old school master if there is such a thing, but I did a hunter trial on him a couple of weeks after getting him and I couldn't hold one side of him, he literally bolted with me on the course. Anyway, we are getting used to one another now and I love him, at least he's keen about his jumping! Where abouts are you? Is there anyone on your yard who could give you some advice on bitting etc? how old is he?
 
Try not to worry too much, horses are always slightly different when you get them home and there is always a period of time when you are getting used to each other.

If he was OK cantering on the left rein but strong on the right perhaps he is a bit unbalanced? Is there anyone you could have some lessons with, just to establish yourself with him?

And once he knows his way to and from his field and gets into a routine I am sure he will settle down, but if you are worried perhaps try using a bridle to lead him out in, or a Chiffney, or simply wrapping the lead rope around his nose before you take him out??

It might be worth asking the YO when people are mostly around to see if you are able to fit your visits in with theirs
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i think that any horse in new surroundings needs plenty of time to settle in, and you need to get use to him and ofcourse, him u, i thnk the issue in the arena needs possibly someone on the ground , a trainer or instructor, while your getting your confidence with said horse, and as for dragging you into the field, mayb take him in hand with bridle on for now until he settles into a new routine,,,, is very early days tho for both of you dont give up!!!

am assuming shes/he on the same feed and turned out hours ect????
 
You;ve had it two minutes. Give it and yourself time to get to know each other.

I've had my new horse exactly a year - and we're still discoving each other.
 
I really feel for you- it's so hard being disappointed like that.
Agree with what everyone's saying though- he's still settleing in so don't expect too much from him. Maybe try some lessons, or just try a few gentle walks and trots until he's settled- not only has he had to get used to a new home but a new owner too- its a big step.
I've had my mare 6 years and still I learn something everyday- she never fails to amuse me! (she is a special case, I'm sure it won't take six years!!
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Try lunging him first to get some energy out of him, also lots of ground work in the school will help you two to bond! Have you had your saddle fitted/teeth checked/back checked?

Maybe a busier yard will help you....I know everyone on my are really helpful!

stay positive....get to know him!
 
I had the same experience-twice. Both were great when I tried them but bonkers and dangerous at home.
Is it possible that he was doped or drugged whwn you tried him? That happens sometimes!
 
He's in a snaffle, but a dutch gag also came with him. I've never used one before, and have definately never attempted the two rein thing, altho' I realise two reins aren't necessary..

I don't want to make matters worse by riding in a bit I have no experience of, and also, it seems like giving up/in... I've heard such bits can be quite harsh.
 
i think you do need good steady hands to ride in this type of bit however i cannot do the whole 2 rein thingy so put pelhem roundings on my dutch gag so my mare had an even mix of both levels of the bit.
 
My horse is a b*gger for this (being halter lead) always has been and I think always will be although he ahs better manners slightly now! I always wrap the rope round his nose to lead, he's just naughty and knows his own strength but he's fab being ridden. I took him to college with me years ago (he was 6 then) and apparently he frequently took off when students leadf him to the field - he knew where he wanted to be! He ended up being lead with a stallion chain by two people!

I have (at Bramham) just seen a nice Eskadron headcollar with built in chain lead around the nose I am tempted to get as, although i know my horse v v well he can still take advantage when he fancies it and, had we stopped it when he was younger maybe he'd have been better! As for the being strong, that could be just being unbalanced and he may jsut be leaning on one side, probably needs to do some suppling exercises to help him. Put him in the gag in needs be, mine wears one for general hacking and competing. I have tried various bits on him but the gag is what he seems happiest in so i ended up going back to it.

Your horse may just be built slightly heavy on his forehand and in that case lessons to help encourage him to get his hocks underneath him will help. He doesn't sound like a bad horse just one that maybe knows his own strength a bit!
 
Hi,
There are lots of things to sit back and have a really good think about at the moment.

1) The horses level of training, on the ground and ridden
2) Be honest about your level / training / ground etc...
3) New - have you got him in a regular routine? He needs time to settle, some of our horses have taken up to a year to settle well!
4) What are you asking of him? Fitness level, capability etc...

Leading: This is an area where if short cuts are taken then they also show up ridden. If he barges you move him back out of your personal space, and ensure that YOU lead him.
Patience and work, to gain his respect.

It's hard to explain so much on a post.

Our second stallion transformed on arrival from a "Laid back nice guy" to the horse from "Hell". We worked hard on ground respect and then found as we did this the ridden 'manners' returned too.

As for being strong ridden, what is he actually trying to do? Run away? or Run Off?

For now don't put yourself in those positions, work through small steps of progress rather than attempt too much.

I hope this makes sense, it's been one of those days>
 
this happened to me when I first got George, cantered off on the left rein - lovely, right rein off he shot and scared me. It turns out he had a sore back, possibly from his new saddle and heavier rider feeling different. Also he is just a lot more unbalanced on that rein, massage for him, a saddle check, and lessons for me helped heaps as did riding in a dutch gag to give me confidence. But as Amymay says I've only had him a year as well and it is still a learning curve.
 
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