Broncing into canter

[Frisket]

Hiya! Im looking for some reassurance I haven't just ruined a 20 year partnership -

I bought a five year old Connemara X Cob. Gave him a few days to settle in and rode him in the indoor first time last night - was fine in walk and trot, a bit hollow and refused to round off but I assumed this was because he was taking it all in and being nosey. I was bending him around a 20m circle at trot and he seemed to move sideways rapidly then burst into a frantic bronc/bucking fiasco and I went flying.

He immediately stopped when I came off and walked up to me and stood by me until I dusted myself off and hopped back on. Again walk trot fine, then asked for a canter once feeling comfortable and BOOM bronc buck fall off. Again he stopped and stood by me and waited for me to get up and on. This time just walked him out and got off to finish on a good note.

Does this sound like pain? This saddle is old and not been fitted; my old horse would chuck me off but he was a smidge more work aversive and would buck and dip his shoulder once in an attempt to send me flying. Im not going to ride again until I get a saddler out (also think his bit might have been a bit low but I was a tad excited as it's been three years since losing my old horse).

Does this sound like an ill fitting tack issue? Saddle bit etc? Bit might have been a bit low in his mouth, as well, but sorted that now. Just looking for reassurance I've not ruined a genuinely sweet pony for life and broken a two decade partnership before it began ?

 

[SOS]

Presumably the horse was vetted and passed?

Has the horse been turned out since getting him? And what sort of work was he in before?

I perhaps wouldn’t of given a few days off to settle in and would of lightly worked from the beginning. The horse does just sound fresh but ruling out pain is always important.

Id pop the horse on the lunge today and let him get any woohoo out. Also get a saddler and a physio ASAP. In the meantime get long lining out on the fields and roads and over poles in the arena so he’s still in work and you can get to know his personality and strengthen him a bit.

Ultimately though if you feel this is very out of character I would get a vet out now. You should have X amount of days to return the horse if not fit for purpose (someone more knowledgable will advise). So if you’re that worried it may be worth going down this route.

 

[ycbm]

Welcome to the forum.

If you copy this to Tack Room you should get more response.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What was he like when you tried him at the previous owners?

 

[Frisket]

He was vetted and passed, yeah. He's been out and loose schooled with livery staff with no concerns.

Previous to changing homes he was in light work.

He was very good when tried (I tried him twice) - if anything his canter transition was quite "slow" and he sort of fell into it, the complete opposite to the current explosion.

 

[AlexColl]

Sounds like it could a pain issue from the saddle, freshness or that he is unbalanced however to go down a slightly more sinister route...

With the vetting did you have any bloods taken? It’s a minefield with buying horses these days and it may be worth checking for any substance in the blood such as Bute or Sedalin etc. As he was good when you tried him he could have been given something to take the edge off (whether it be for pain OR freshness). Hopefully not though!

 

[Frisket]

As an update: saddle fitter came and with new saddle (and the bridle I refitted) he's the pony I remember him being! An absolute dream