can anyone give advice to me pls

[dizzydoo]

i bought a lovely natured 14.1 Irish rising 5yr old gelding pony i took 3 people on different occasions to check out riding hacking out jump (small) cc canter in the field tack up every think we culd think of to do and check this pony was suitable and kind and willing I had a 5 star vetting all went well .. then I get him home 4 weeks now and he is still really good to handle settled in well but is soooo nervous to ride in the school he is so spooky and bolts of he is really sharp and I have a black eye and whip lash after falling of 2 times hacking out is horrible spooking at every thing with company and on his own makes not much difference I'm loosing faith in riding this horse he was a kick along pony when i went to see him the man who sold him to me is coming out thurs to see what is going on because he cant believe in the change pls give me some advice on what to do thanks for reading

 

[Persephone]

I would say he is young, in a new place , with new people and I am sure you are nervous when on him after your scares.

Can you get an Instructor in to help you? Do you have company to hack out with? He is probably feeling as worried as you. x

 

[luckyoldme]

it s a really good sign that his old owner is willing to come over and try to help you to resolve any teething problems, He sounds like a genuine seller.It takes ages for a horse to settle in a new home I think my horse is a plod but was shocked to hear how disgracefully he had behaved for someone else. I honestly think it may just be that you both need time to bond and learn to trust each other...dont be too disheartened!

 

[Black_Horse_White]

I've had my horse for 6 weeks now, the first time I rode him in the school he was fine, the next 2 times he took off with me. Out hacking he was very spooky, scared of grids and white lines on the road. In company and on his own he was really hesitant, he would plant and back up if I pushed him on. Now he's a star doesn't spook anymore and doesn't even look at grids. Some horses need a while to settle in. He needs to get used to you and you him. Some horses take confidence from us, maybe he's picking up on your nervousness, give him more time. It's very good that his previous owner is coming to see him.

 

[muffinmunsh]

I should think the same. He is still quite young and some horses find moving very unnerving. Call in a professional or an experienced friend and take things back a gear.
Also, you may want to review your routines, especially hardfeed ... If in doubt, don't let him have any for some time ;-)
My boy took 3 months to settle when I moved him from a yard he had been at for 2 years. He was 12 at the time.

 

[dizzydoo]

think your right he is feeding if me so I have asked my instructor to ride him (she came with me buy him) she said he does not feel like the same horse he was still very spooky with her on and she is not fazed by any thing .. also I'm not feeding any thing heating just adlib hay and happy hoof

 

[dizzydoo]

also I was thinking now I'm wary of falling again it's not a good combination I have been riding for 25 yrs but that only includes a hand full of horses being the last one for 12 yrs it has knocked me and was thinking of asking him to take him back a bit rash I no but I don't want to ruin him and then can't sell him I think I need a professional !! to help

 

[Pedantic]

5 years old, 4 weeks at new home...........

 

[Foxhunter49]

Big change for him. WHat are you feeding would be my first question and the second would be about whether the saddle fits correctly. Either of these could be the reason for such a change if it is both then it would be double!

 

[Arizahn]

We got Ali on 5th November this year. Today was the first time that I was able to give her a proper full groom, I kid you not! The other liveries were very impressed at how pretty she is now she is clean
It just takes time to find your feet with each other. Be patient and go back to groundwork for a week or two - graze him in hand, lunge work, join up, etc. Make friends with him first and then get back on. You will be way more confident and so will he.

 

[dizzydoo]

adlib hay and happy hoof he has the same saddle turnout with a oldie for 4/5 hrs a day with hay I have a 30 day return that's why I was thinking of sending him back because I have not much time to make that decision I don't want to hurt myself I have small kids and hubby and house to run but I also have enought time for my horses

 

[LaurenM]

Rather than looking at the horse - have you changed in any way? He's a baby & bound to be upset with changing homes but you need to give him confidence.

 

[dizzydoo]

thanks for some good advice peeps

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Unless he was given Happy Hoof at his previous home, stop feeding that to him. It contains alfalfa, I believe. Some horses do not react well to alfalfa. Look very carefully at the list of contents and see if there is any glucosamine added, I've found that this can cause behavioural problems in some individuals.
Did you buy his saddle with him? Was it the same saddle that you tried him in? Lots of people buy a saddle with their horse and then find that it isn't the one they thought they'd bought. Are you riding in the same bit?
As someone else said, it is a very good sign that the previous owner is coming to see the horse, he is obviously genuine and thinks that the horse is too.
It can take a horse a very long time to settle in a new home. In fact I've known some who have taken up to 2 years to settle completely. Try not to worry too much, take a step back and focus on building up your relationship with him by grooming and groundwork, just generally spending time with him.
Good luck!

 

[dizzydoo]

I prop have lost confidence laurenm wonder whether I'm capable of giving him confidence I thought I culd ride well enought to manage this pony but I do wonder now :-( after the falls

 

[PeterNatt]

I find it normally takes me about 2 good years to bond with a new horse and for it to settle completely it it's new home.
My advice is that you yourself only ride your new horse and ride it regularly each day if possible.
Also spend lots of time giving your new horse grooms etc. Your new horse will settle but with a new rider, new surroundings and smells your new horse will be dissoriontated for some time.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

When I bought my chestnut mare she settled into her new yard very quickly and was very quiet. In fact I was worried that she was too quiet for me. I soon realised that she was in fact not happy (lets just say that it's a good idea to turn up at livery yards at random times if you want to know whats really going on).

I promtly moved her to a different yard and she transformed into a supercharged, spooky, nappy beast! If I hadn't have owned her anyway, I'd have been sure that she'd been drugged. Anyhoo, she did settle with time (and the spooking and napping reduced to hardly anything) and was actually very happy at that yard once she felt at home there.

I then had to move her again (due to relocation) but luckily her mates were coming too and this time she took the yard move in her stride and she didn't become subdued or supercharged.

 

[BlackRider]

I'd double check what feed he was on before, and what his routine was.

Have you tried lunging him before you get on? or just lunging and not riding, then you are spending time with him, and he's getting used to the way you are handling him.

Its still very early days, and it does take time to settle in with a new horse, you have to learn each others ways.

What does your instructor suggest you do?

 

[aimeetb]

How much turnout did he have before?? Could he have a lot more fiz about him because he is in the stable for 20 hours a day aswell as moving to a new home? It does take time and the more he can be out exerting energy and relaxing with company the better xxx

 

[Sparkles]

Generally speaking, and I'm well aware there are exceptions, why buy anything under 10 if you want genuine garanteed safeness? The horse is still young. He hasn't seen anything at your new yard before [to which many things there he may well have never even seen before full stop] and doesn't know what is round the corner anywhere. He's going to be on his toes.

It doesn't sound a case of mis-sold pony at all, but more a case of mis-bought on your part. I'd be very grateful for the previous owner to offer to come out and see him for you - if there was anything unbetold going on, he'd have disappeared from having anything to do with the pony. Wait till he comes, see what he says - and remember, he's doing the nice thing by using his time to come and see you! He's under no obligation to do that.
Was he a dealer or a private vendor?

If you had a 30 day garantee to return him...then I'm guessing if you've had him 4 weeks now, that will be void possibly.

You've lost confidence in him which you now have 3 options to sort the situation out: either put the worry out of you head and just get on with it, or get an instructor in to help you with some sessions both on the ground and riding or pay a more confident rider to give him 6 weeks solid work.

 

[Archiepoo]

TBH id send him back ,its a buyers market at the mo so if he doesnt give you confidence and you dont sound like you have much faith in him now, better sooner rather than later and you end up not wanting to ride at all.! dont feel guilty just keep looking for the right one for you- im sure you will find the perfect pony

 

[rockysmum]

5 years old, 4 weeks at new home...........

4 actually, the OP said rising 5.

He's only a baby and might not have been broken in for very long. I would definately get some professional help. But perhaps such a young pony is not suitable for you and if you get the chance returning him might be best.

 

[noblesteed]

I do sympathise with you, I had been riding 25 years before I got my current horse and he was a total nightmare at first, spooky and nappy and just a bag of nerves. Took me nearly 2 years to get to grips with him. But he was 9, yours is just a baby. Sounds like, as everyone has said, he needs time to settle in. He is bound to be nervous in a new home with a new owner.
I agree with what has been said about happy hoof, it sent mine silly. It's not as good as it claims!!! I have had much better results with cool fibre or mollichaff calmer.
If you want to crack the riding side of it, make sure ur in ur BP and, I know it sounds rough but I put a strap across the front of my saddle so when horse was having one of his tantrums (every time I rode!) I could hold on!!! Not elegant but it sorted my confidence out no end!
TBH your horse sounds like just a wee baby and I think you should go right back to basics and build your relationship with him. It will all be worth it in the end, honest!

 

[aimeetb]

Re-reading this I wonder whether it would be the best idea to send him back for both your sakes - in the nicest possible way I mean to say if this pony is only 4 he needs a confident consistent rider to help him out and bring him on and if you don't think that's you then perhaps you would be better sending him back so he doesn't end up ruined and being sold on as naughty and banded as such and get something that gives you confidence - if that's how you feel there really is nothing wrong with doing this for both your sakes rather than thinking you have to keep ploughing on - hope it sort it either way and if you do keep him I hope you work it out xxx