Bringing a VERY quiet horse back into work- Ouch!

McNally

McNally

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Ok quick background for those who dont know....
I had my last horse 3/4 years and decided it was time to part company due to the fact i mainly ride with my daughter on her youngster and my horse was too unpredictable to nanny.
Friends of mine got me a "surprise" a horse they knew very well a few years ago and thought would be just what i wanted!!...
He arrived and was in a shocking state (at which point really i should have said no) I have had his sarcoids treated and put weight on him- he's still light but looking much better so i decided to try getting on him.
Now bearing in mind i was told by these people i trusted completely and who know me, my riding and my last horse well. They told me he was 100% to ride and much better than my old horse. My old horse has had lots of time off in the years i've had him (laminitus and a fracture) but was no problem to get back on- he has a VERY stressy temperament and is very highly strung compared to this horse so i was confident all would be fine and got on....

He went absolutely ballistic, the second i was on board his back came up (really up as in i felt almost vertical in the saddle) I gave him pat and asked him to go forward to avoid and acrobatics! At this point he just exploded and launched me across the yard. I am in a lot of pain and getting back on wasn't an option.

Now my worry is- is this the quiet horse i have been led to believe? I know he's been out of work for ages but like i say so had my own- so have many other horses i've ridden but i've never had this reaction.
Do i give him another chance? I dont know if i will be able to trust him but am telling myself apart from not being ridden in ages he is being pumped full of food and it could have been a one off?
I dont want another horse who is a nightmare to ride and that i dont enjoy and this has worried me.
 
Oh poor you, what a nightmare. Can you speak to the old owners to get a bit more background on the horse. It does sound like a massive over reaction on his part. I've regularly left really quite sharp horses for months without being ridden and they have always been fine. If you do decide to ride him again I'd lunge the bejesus out of him in full tack first!
 
Have all the checks done, cut his feed back, lunge him then ride him. If this fails get rid.
Even the most sensible horses can go off their trollies when pumped full of food after being in such a poor state, and having months off work.
I'd say give him a chance as I don't think you stacked the cards in his favour. Obviously if you feel you can't trust him then send him back. Its up to you really as you are the one riding him!
 
Had you ever sat on him or seen him ridden before? If not I think you were a bit silly (or just naive and too trusting!). I would have bought him back into work in hand and then treated the getting on like a backing...

If you had seen him ridden then I would do as above and if no improvement get the original people back and ask them to have a sit. Then if no improvement send him back or get the vet.

Hope you recover soon.
 
I've not had his back done tbh but i have had a good feel and there is no flinchy parts! again my old boy got back problems and my back lady showed me how to feel for any issues (actually with him it was very obvious!)
He can go back- its just the state he was in when i got him i dont know if i have the heart to send him back there although i will if need be. It was a very very hard decision to rehome my old horse and not one i took lightly I certainly dont want to go a step back!

My friend is going to try him tonight so fingers crossed!
 
Is it a long time since he has been sat on?
Personally I would put a roller and padding on him and leave him with it on over night, do this for a few days then progress to the tack (obviousley not left on over night) but you can pillar rein him for an hour or so with it on Then with an assistant try getting on, alot will disagree with me but I would and I know alot of proffesional breakers that do- get on him in the stable. A person I know who breaks for well know proffesionals ALWAYS gets on in the stable, even on nutters that have come to be re sat on.
Alternativley send him to proffesionals that do it for a living day in day out.
 
TBH I think you were very foolish to get straight up in the yard. With an unknown I would always give a quick lunge first (no matter how quiet they are supposed to be) and would never get up on concrete always on arena. Is this the ex-race horse? If so get a leg up first few times....the one thing they can really react to is weight in one stirrup and he could have been a bit worried by that! Before anyone goes getting up I'd be lunging and going very slow to get him chilled again.
 
My horse is pretty laid back, however when he first comes in after his holidays he is usually a complete spanner for about a month. He decks me regularly. Now I just lunge him before I ride when he comes in after a break, and he soon returns to normal.

Give him a chance, lunge him before riding for a bit and he still is a total plank then send him home.
 
I was in a simular situation as you, was looking for a new horse but had lost my confidence after a 9 year break, everyone on the yard telling me that a horse for sale on the yard (i was new to the yard) was perfect for me and very quiet, he was in a poor condition and i felt quite sorry for him and bought him, i fed him up and got his condition back and he was fine to ride in the arena, but in open spaces he terrified me and i had to make the decision to sell him on, which i did and then found my beautiful irish draught mare who is perfect for me.
 
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