confidence issues with new horse...

[L&M]

I have had my new horse for 2 weeks now, and although he has not really put a foot wrong, for some reason I feel very apprehensive riding him. The other horse I ride we have had for 3 yrs and never remember having any confidence issues with him, and the horse prior to that for 6 yrs, and again had no confidence issues with him either. Both of these horses I have competed, hunted and have had 100% trust in pretty much from the start.

The only thing I can put it down to is that he is very sensitive to the leg, and has shot forward a couple of times when I have given him an aid. This in turn has made me tense, then made him tense and off we go in a vicious circle..... Also I have yet to canter him properly in the school, although have done a little on hacks, as when I ask for canter he shoots into it and makes me panic so I end up pulling him back to trot as am not convinced he is not going to tank off or buck with me....

I know he has only been with me for 2 weeks and am probably asking too much of him and myself, but as I have him on a trial type basis want to cover all avenues before deciding he is/or is not right for me, and vice versa.

Any suggestions?!

 

[jhoward]

have a session in the school, if it will really help get a friend to have you on a lunge rein, something that will give you total security, and play with your leg aids ie do transitions, doesnt have to be canter just halt walk, walk to trot etc and find out where hes happy medium is.

he sounds like the sort of horse that will actully go off a seat aid ie a tightening of the thighs when you ask to go forward, maybe be aware of this when asking him to do something and try and stay loose on your top half and just use yr legs.,

or the other way around just think about using your seat and not so much leg.

 

[Honey08]

Hi, I think its always a bit "wierd" riding a new horse for the first few weeks. You just get used to your previous horse, so a new one feels strange and different. Could you afford a few lessons on him to help you feel confident, and also help you make your decision perhaps?

 

[LaurenM]

I waited about a month before I cantered my horse on a hack alone.

Just spend time in the school getting used to each other and finding a better way of working together.

I would also work on getting a collected canter as it sounds like he's rushing into it rather than trying to tank off with you, as you have stated that you are able to stop him.

You may find cantering in a circle easier than cantering the whole school. Sticking a pole down on a circle will also take your mind off it a little more.

 

[L&M]

Thanks and yes, I have him booked in for a lesson at the weekend.
I think I just haven't found the right buttons yet - the chap that had him before me has known and ridden the horse since birth (now 10), so they were obviously very well tuned to each other. Having said that the horse has done a lot of showing so would imagine he is used to different riders/judges getting on, and can't quite work out what I might be doing wrong.
Will see what my instructor thinks of him at the weekend and go from there....

 

[Pebbles]

Same as above really, give yourself time and have lessons. Mostly though I totally empathise, had this with my last boy who ended up returned to dealer under vetting issues and now I am looking for a replacement feel nervous when trying out horses. I know I am going to have to take a positive firm attitude with myself and talk to horse and sing to relax at first. As you have said you do have brakes but its that vicious circle you are in which is hard to break, don't rush yourself, practice little and often while you build up a bond together and lots of lunging and voice commands helps that process and you can also make up go through the transitions up and down regularly so he doesn't want to rush into canter. I always find it helps to have someone on the ground to chat too at first, even if non horsey, makes you and therefore the horse relax. You have plenty of time, just persevere and belief in yourself and very, very best wishes for a long and successful partnership

 

[L&M]

Thank you for your kind words greymare, and good luck in your search.
I am very lucky because the seller (private) has agreed that I can have a 2 mnth cooling off period, and has put in writing if that things don't work out he will take him back. He wants the horse and myself to be happy, but this in a way funny way adds to the pressure as I don't want to let the horse, or his old owner down....!!!

 

[jhoward]

Thanks and yes, I have him booked in for a lesson at the weekend.
I think I just haven't found the right buttons yet - the chap that had him before me has known and ridden the horse since birth (now 10), so they were obviously very well tuned to each other. Having said that the horse has done a lot of showing so would imagine he is used to different riders/judges getting on, and can't quite work out what I might be doing wrong.
Will see what my instructor thinks of him at the weekend and go from there....

how about speakin gto old owner and asking the best way to ride the horse? if local they are possibley the best person to give you a lesson.

 

[L&M]

Unfortunately he is 3 hrs away!! I have spoken to him and he just ran through the canter aids that he used and we were both singing the same tune....!
I had a lovely hack with him this morning and very naughtily popped him in and out of a slow canter on the lane back to the yard, and that worked well as I just sat in a slightly forward jumping type position and felt a lot more relaxed than in the school. Also he came straight back to me when I asked for trot so think that I may just work on his walk and trot in the school and practice canter transitions out on hacks. That way I am going to start to trust him not to tank off or buck, which eventually I can transfer that confidence into the school......well sounds good in theory!!