Dream horse turned nightmare... help me!

[Tiffany]

Sorry to hear you're in plaster You've not had him long so he'll be testing you. Our YO would ride him albeit she might lunge him first just to see how he behaved and ride once he's settled on lunge? Other options are to get a good, sympathetic professional to school him while you're out of action or send him back to dealer.

Not an easy decision because you've not had him long and accidents do happen with horses particularly, when you're getting to know each other.

 

[chazza44]

Thanks for the kind messages. I think my typing is getting better.
I have kept his feeds the same and his tack was fitted by a saddler and all rechecked today. He is a wonderful horse but I am just not sure I trust him now and he would definitely pick up on that and that would probably be the start of a downwards spiral.
I think I am going to see if the dealer will take him back. He will be a wonderful horse and best friend for the right person. I don't want to give him issues because my confidence has been knocked

 

[Daytona]

Sounds like a very wise move Chazza44

Good on you for being responsible and not blaming the horse or seller. I was the same, but as I said I paid ALOT of money to get my horse brought on for me but Anders are known to be Extreamly sensitive horses, my friend has one and to be honest she is a nightmare, I'd defo stay well clear of them, I think they are not for your normal amature type rider.

And I wish you all the best with the next horse you get and make sure you keep us updated on how you get on

 

[WelshD]

I never understand it when people say this or that horse isnt good as a first horse. I've had several horse and ponies in my life but wouldnt take on horses that friends have bought as a first horse. Surely its about experience and ability not about how many equines you have had? You can have had six horses and still be a numpty!

OP if the dealer isnt interested in having the horse back or if you dont want to return him then I would personally do a little groundwork with him and have someone lunge him (if you cant) or even loose school him just for some excercise but largely leave him alone for a couple of months otherwise, let him settle in to the routine and establish boundaries on the ground

Then in the new year I would ask an instructor experienced in Spanish horses to come and ride him for you to get him back in to work then give you some guidance on how differently to ride etc.. OR send him to schooling livery at one of the specialist places mentioned earlier in the thread but then bear in mind that he will need to settle in all over again when he returns home

 

[I love my Spanish horse]

I have ridden Andalusians in Spain and having read all of the above, I am now thankful I'm still in one piece. They sound a nightmare. Pretty to look at, but really, who needs all of that stress and expensive lessons/retraining in their lives?
You already have one of the most stressful jobs going. I'm thinking it will all become too much to cope with. Maybe the kindest thing you can do for both of you is to send him back to the seller, who can find him a more suitable home, and then you look for something less complicated to deal with. A more straight-forward horse that you can have fun with. That's what I'd do, anyway. Very good luck to you, whatever you decide to do. And I hope all heals well and soon.

Not a nightmare at all, just different and not for everyone as said before they are very sensitive and need tactful riding. Ill tell you what though youve clearly not ridden many as if you had you'd know theyre more than just pretty to look at, theyre by far the bravest most intelligent breeds there is, and will give you absolutely 110% of themselves to you once youve gained their trust and respect.
Op I think your doing the right thing, and theres absolutely no shame in saying i made a mistake and bought the wrong horse. Dont give up on pre's though, they are wonderful to own and you will find the right one. Just as spanishneddy and cortez have said do your research in the uk and get some lessons with someone like esperenza dressage or fiona foy, they will be able to point you in the right direction and help you find the horse of your dreams

 

[weebarney]

I never understand it when people say this or that horse isnt good as a first horse. I've had several horse and ponies in my life but wouldnt take on horses that friends have bought as a first horse. Surely its about experience and ability not about how many equines you have had? You can have had six horses and still be a numpty!

I would compare it to giving a person who's just passed their driving test a Ferrari. Better off getting to grips with a fiesta first.

 

[devonlass]

OP I think sending him back is a very wise decision.Simply as it sounds like the relationship would be tainted now and probably take a long time to be an enjoyable partnership.

I also think it would be tragic if your job were jeopardised because you stuck with an unsuitable horse.Yours is an admirable career choice and should mean many years of making a real difference to people and their care,don't risk that for a simple case of making a bad choice.

I will admit to knowing very little about iberian horses (they don't really do it for me TBH,although most people seem to love them) although the stallion my friend owns is nothing like the ones mentioned on here,he is very safe and pretty much bombproof,but that is the limit of my personal experience.

I do have a genuine question though if any of the 'spanish' people wouldn't mind?? Don't people in Spain have these horses for their every day mounts much like we have our native breeds or popular types etc?? Surely they can't all be superb riders,must differ in ability much like people here do I would have thought??
I also thought they used andi's in trekking centres and other riding establishments in Spain?? Again surely they can't all be super sensitive amazing athletes,or wouldn't be appropriate at all??
Sorry genuinely confuzzled as never realised they were so difficult,and not sure how they are so versatile in their native country if this is the case

I would agree with Terri on the young horses thing.Fly bucking across a school is not 'normal' youngster behaviour.I would accept that gaps in education can lead to unwanted and confused behaviour,but OP's accident sounds extreme even under those circumstances.

Anyway I have digressed enough,good luck OP with the dealer and hope you heal quickly

 

[WelshD]

I would compare it to giving a person who's just passed their driving test a Ferrari. Better off getting to grips with a fiesta first.

Sorry it still doesnt make sense (BTW I was given a company car immediately after passing my test and my grandad still drives a Fiesta) The OP has ridden since they were four and 3-4 times a week for at least some time more recently as well as different horses over the years so its fair to say their riding ability is probably more than average.

You dont pass a test to own a horse so the progression to a ferarri should be when you feel the time is right and not at a set point in time as to whether you own the horse or are sharing it

perhaps some of the pro riders out there who ride other peoples horses should buy a 13hh pony when it comes time to buy their first mount?

 

[I love my Spanish horse]

OP
I do have a genuine question though if any of the 'spanish' people wouldn't mind?? Don't people in Spain have these horses for their every day mounts much like we have our native breeds or popular types etc?? Surely they can't all be superb riders,must differ in ability much like people here do I would have thought??
I also thought they used andi's in trekking centres and other riding establishments in Spain?? Again surely they can't all be super sensitive amazing athletes,or wouldn't be appropriate at all??
Sorry genuinely confuzzled as never realised they were so difficult,and not sure how they are so versatile in their native country if this is the case

Ill attempt to answer that although im sure cortez or someone will be able to correct me or put it much more eloquantly than ill be able to
I think part of it is like comparing a riding school middle aged plod, safe as houses, been there and done it type with buying any new horse for the first time, especially a youngster. Often the horses in the trekking centres have been doing it for years, know the job inside out and like a lot of rs types just have a get on with the job type attitude. Theyre often in there late teens and many have probably had hard working lives up until then, and they really are worked quite hard in these trekking places too being ridden for hours in the baking heat. Another thing to consider is very often these horses arent actually pre's, theyre andalusians which is the term for anything born in andalucia even if its half donkey, so again a lot of these types may not even have pure spanish blood in them and therefore not as hot.
Lastly and i think most importantly is the fact that a lot of spanish horses 'change' so to speak when they come over here, partly intolerances to what we feed (they struggle to digest sugar and it can send them loopy) and partly the way we often mollycoddle our horses is so different to what theyre used to, and that just blows their minds as really if they put a foot out of line in spain they know about it! Some do handle the transition fine, but often when you have a youngster as opposed to an older, quiet trekking horse, the above things become a bit too much and as soon as they get a bit of rich grass and start pushing the boundries with inexperienced owners that dont nip it in the bud right away thats when the problems arise

 

[CalllyH]

If this is real then I would send him back. Simple. Get something you can enjoy, that's been there, done it and makes riding a pleasure. You say you don't have much time with training and I can imagine you don't with on calls etc so you need something that you can leave in the field so to speak and if you have a few days off it doesn't matter if you don't have time to ride and only time to do stable chores etc.

Young horses need time and routine and work.

 

[brighteyes]

Specialist horse - you need a schoolmaster.

 

[I love my Spanish horse]

Sorry it still doesnt make sense (BTW I was given a company car immediately after passing my test and my grandad still drives a Fiesta) The OP has ridden since they were four and 3-4 times a week for at least some time more recently as well as different horses over the years so its fair to say their riding ability is probably more than average.

You dont pass a test to own a horse so the progression to a ferarri should be when you feel the time is right and not at a set point in time as to whether you own the horse or are sharing it

perhaps some of the pro riders out there who ride other peoples horses should buy a 13hh pony when it comes time to buy their first mount?

But then how many people after passing their test that 'think' theyre ready for the ferrari actually arent, and if they were to buy one the most likely thing would be theyd endanger theyre own safety for not being able to manage it. The OP has experince riding yes, but by the sounds of it not in ownership, bringing on young horses single handedly or this breed in particular, and that last one is particularly important as you really do need to know and understand these horses before riding them, especially young and inexperienced ones. By her own admittance she hasnt got a great support network at present to help her, and has already had her confidence badly shaken and could risk her career if this were to happen again. It may just have been a one off that he had this bucking fit, but equally it could be him as lots of them really are that sharp that a simple shift of weight can send them into orbit! Noone's questioning her ability or suitability for horse ownership, its just with knowing this breed as well as people do they know that they really dont make good first horses unless an older schoolmaster. Seeing what the op has to lose if this wasnt just a one off, and she got even more badly injured next time i personally think she's doing the sensible thing in sending him back, and if she still really wants a ferrari then at leats get an older one that she can enjoy driving

 

[devonlass]

Often the horses in the trekking centres have been doing it for years, know the job inside out and like a lot of rs types just have a get on with the job type attitude. Theyre often in there late teens and many have probably had hard working lives up until then, and they really are worked quite hard in these trekking places too being ridden for hours in the baking heat. Another thing to consider is very often these horses arent actually pre's, theyre andalusians which is the term for anything born in andalucia even if its half donkey, so again a lot of these types may not even have pure spanish blood in them and therefore not as hot.
Lastly and i think most importantly is the fact that a lot of spanish horses 'change' so to speak when they come over here, partly intolerances to what we feed (they struggle to digest sugar and it can send them loopy) and partly the way we often mollycoddle our horses is so different to what theyre used to, and that just blows their minds as really if they put a foot out of line in spain they know about it! Some do handle the transition fine, but often when you have a youngster as opposed to an older, quiet trekking horse, the above things become a bit too much and as soon as they get a bit of rich grass and start pushing the boundries with inexperienced owners that dont nip it in the bud right away thats when the problems arise

Thank you for that and you don't give yourself enough credit I thought that was a very interesting and informative reply

So in a nutshell it may be that some of the ones in Spain are not bred especially well or as pure,and as a result are more laid back.Or it may be that because they are brought up rigidly and worked hard and in a routine etc they know their place and what's expected of them and don't try push the boundaries??

In regards to the ones that come over here.It sounds like they aren't that much different than any young horse that is of a sensitive type,but that the way some owners here deal with them and the change in environment,care etc can sometimes make them just that bit more difficult and challenging??

That is much more straight forward and makes a lot more sense than them just being magical ponies lol

Thanks again,and apologies for my nosy ways,I just like to know stuff

 

[smellsofhorse]

After moving to a new yard he may have been unsettled althiugh may not have shown it.

has he has regular turnout?
Exercised daily?
Change of food and routine?

I would get an experianced rider to exercise him while you are out of action.
They can also asses him and see if it was just a yee ha moment trying him new mum out or if there is more going on.

I hope you heal quickly.

 

[I love my Spanish horse]

Thank you for that and you don't give yourself enough credit I thought that was a very interesting and informative reply

So in a nutshell it may be that some of the ones in Spain are not bred especially well or as pure,and as a result are more laid back.Or it may be that because they are brought up rigidly and worked hard and in a routine etc they know their place and what's expected of them and don't try push the boundaries??

In regards to the ones that come over here.It sounds like they aren't that much different than any young horse that is of a sensitive type,but that the way some owners here deal with them and the change in environment,care etc can sometimes make them just that bit more difficult and challenging??

That is much more straight forward and makes a lot more sense than them just being magical ponies lol

Thanks again,and apologies for my nosy ways,I just like to know stuff

Thanks, am quite suprised even managed to string a sentance together at this time of night, but still got bloomin firworks going on outside and cant sleep
I think it is definatly more the latter in the way theyre brought up, know the bounderies etc. A lot of the crossbreeds are mixed with arab or tb so wouldnt neccesarily make them any less hot by not being purebred. The spanish men really are hard sods some of them, which to be fair is why when horses come over theyre usually very respectful, bordering fearful many of them. Prob is when they learn were not going to be as strict they start to push theyre luck a little, same as any horse testing its new owner. The horses apart from being worked dont really leave theyre stables in spain, and feed is minimal compared to the amount of processed, high sugar feeds we give in the uk. With that and the compartivley low workload we give our horses (they can do 8 hours a day in scorching heat) its no wonder some of them just dont cope with our ways, they like theyre routine and to be kept busy more than anything, when your reduce that yet give them more energy in feed you undoubtably make trouble for yourself!

Eta I still love them to bits and would never have anything else, the trainability, kindness and intelligence of them more than makes up for any downsides

 

[Caol Ila]

I don't see this as *just* a Spanish horse thing.

When my draft cross (Shire-TB) was young, she went through a phase of being reasonably calm and sensible in walk and trot and occasionally explosive in the canter. The athleticism involved came as quite a shock to me, as I'd never ridden anything quite that powerful and athletic. She was a second horse but my first was a quarter horse who had never been capable of such feats of athleticism. There was nothing physically wrong with her. It was just a thing she went through. Bucked me off a couple times, then I learned how to not get bucked off, feel when she was about to explode, and disengage her hind end before she did. She stopped doing this in the dressage ring after I became competent enough to deal with it but even now, at age 19, might pull airs above the ground if cantering in a group on the trail.

She's a funny horse. At 19 years old, 90% of the time, she's nearly bombproof. I put rank beginner friends on her. She didn't bat an eyelid at the fireworks yesterday and today. But she still has the occasional "hot" day (usually when she gets her first strong heats of the spring in March or April) and you'd bloody better be able to ride a hot horse on that day. If someone couldn't, I think real problems could develop. I like it this way because it reminds me that I can ride a sharp horse if I have to but at the same time, I feel grateful that I usually don't!

 

[Milkmaid]

Sorry to hear you are broken

Another who doesn`t see this as simply a 'spanish' issue. I have ridden a variety of 'iberian' horses and in my experience they all very different. I`d say pretty much as varied in nature as i`ve seen in any other breed.
The school stallions are hot & sensitive generally but I`ve also ridden some very forgiving, generous ones (one in particular when I was trying to master one time changes!) And as for the treking Luso`s in Portugal, some of them were complete donkeys, lol!

A novice owner on a young, sensitive horse, seen it many many times....with Welshies, Cobs, T.Bs........ Young horses do need experienced trainers generally, even my 5 year old 'common cob' would be a nightmare in 'inexperienced' hands. If you are not there immediately with the reassurance when he needs it then he loses confidence in a nano second which is what I fear may have happened with your boy, then they panic!

I think it would be a very sensible move to take the horse back and once mended set about finding yourself a sensible, kind schoolmaster type who knows the job and can cope with you being a little unsure. You will have so much more fun

 

[puss]

Hi im sorry you have been hurt. I have a spanish horse from spain before him i had a very hot TB thought after him could stay on anything oh boy how wrong was i my spanish is a rescue he was badley beaten. Hes fast sharp can run backwards as fast as forward can spin quicker than a washing machine and sometimes you just get on and he explodes for no reason. when first got him i had most the school in my mouth got dumped so many times. At the time it seemed pointless getting on just to be dumped again.These horses are not easy ride at all but once you get that bond the are very loyal mine would now jump threw fire for me but he will not allow anyone else ride him lunge him or even put his bridle on. Two years on i stay on alot more now luck rather than skill. If you cant wait for a bond which i think is a must for these horses more then any other horse. Send him back their horses that needs alot of time not just get on and compete or hack even straight away well thats my experience anyway would never get another but i do love my boy

 

[D5edon]

aw thanks.

if i keep him i need someone to ride him as i dont think time out of work does that particular horse very good (on advice of prev home). my plan would be to do some natural horsemanship stuff on the ground alongside that so we can build our bond.

As someone who bought a horse that gradually ebbed my confidence over 2 years, I would say either send him back now or get good professional help. I am now selling him for less than half of what I paid for him and have spent a lot of money having him reschooled. Basically he is a great horse, just the wrong one for me and I didn't realise that as each day went on I was sapping his and my confidence which now makes me feel very sad. Still a lesson learned for me and I am getting a great deal of pleasure now seeing the horse he has become but with a different rider and I hope he will find a great home.

At least unlike me, you are recognising that you need to do something and in this way you will recover more quickly. I still have confidence issues because I let it go on too long. Nearly gave up but now have a lovely ten year old who will never set the world on fire but he is building up the trust I lost.

 

[WestCoast]

It sounds like the people that break these spanish horses are the numpties to me. It seems like they aren't treated with a great deal of kindness and there is a big gap in their training in terms of mannere, coping with changes, general bombproofing and coping when their rider becomes unbalanced. A horse isn't trained because a perfect rider can sit on it and get a nice lateral movement.

 

[WestCoast]

bloody phone.

A horse is trained when it can cope with anything it is likely to meet in everyday life and trusts people so it will look to its rider/handler in unsettling situations. Even I know that.

Paula

 

[Daytona]

I have to agree nothing to do with just Spanish horses, lots of talented young horses can be sharp and difficult, and super sensitive. It's not limited to just Spanish horses by any means.

 

[browbrow]

It sounds like the people that break these spanish horses are the numpties to me. It seems like they aren't treated with a great deal of kindness and there is a big gap in their training in terms of mannere, coping with changes, general bombproofing and coping when their rider becomes unbalanced. A horse isn't trained because a perfect rider can sit on it and get a nice lateral movement.

100% agree with this !!!! I go to Spain a lot - lived there for years and worked on bullfighting ranches and dressage yards when i was younger - I hate to say but the breed ain't no different than a tb in terms of quirks - its how the spainish back and produce horses, it's a very unforgiving and harsh, no room for error method. The horses are never truly settled IMO as they always seem on edge, and as for comments from Cortez about pres not used to non balanced riders, not sure sure as I've seen some hideous riding in Spain and don't get me started on the awful tack with hoards of pads to make saddles fit!!!!

Having said that - a lady on here mentions about feeding regimes being different here in the uk and spanish horses not able to cope - again I echo this posters sentiments.

I love spanish nags - but I will keep my sport cobs for the uk and keep the beautiful spanish ones in Spain where they belong and go visit them twice a year for riding holidays

Op - all the best in your recovery - don't feel too bad, people get injured riding donkeys and Shetlands its just how the sport goes xxxx don't make you a **** rider

 

[nich]

I have a Spanish horse, imported aged 7 after being a brood mare - barely backed. Previous owner was a numpty who didn't inform me about the horse having sweetitch, and sold her on after a year as she couldn't cope. I'm not a hugely experienced owner/rider - she is my 2nd 'long term' horse, following a really easy IDx. She is PRE x 'spanish riding horse' which may have added sanity to her!

I have had her for 2 years, and we now have a great bond - I have invested lots of time in her, on the ground not just focussing on riding, and had a few lessons with one of Kelly Marks' RA's, just in handling/spook busting. Twice she has 'lost the plot' with me, both times were a panic reaction in canter on a hack (panic about being in the lead actually). This I can live with and manage. I don't have access to a decent school (ours is on a slope, too small and slippy woodchip) so i don't canter her on a circle - I know she would panic about it until she has the opportunity to practice and get balanced on a good surface. I am careful about who I ride with, what I do with her, etc. I do think a lot of problems with horses that people experience are due to too much schooling and not enough hacking - where horses have more to think about and mature physically and mentally. Also too much stabling, rugging, and inappropriate feeding.

My mare is so sweet natured, and is brilliant about all the faffing we have to do for the sweetitch, I wouldn't change her for anything. Oh, and I only ride a few times a week in winter, she doesn't have to be worked worked worked to stay sane.

I'm not saying OP shouldn't return her horse - clearly that sounds like a sensible decision in her case - but just want to make the point that all Andalucians aren't hyper sensitive and unsuitable for all but the 'best' riders. PRE's are of course likley going to suffer like any stud book managed breed from getting hotter as the breeding is from a tight gene pool...

 

[legyield]

I'd just like to wish you luck, whichever path you choose. I love PREs and recently bought a PRE foal, who I imagine will be a lot more challenging than my cob x!

 

[Cortez]

Lots of good advice from Spanish horse owners here, and some not so enlightened perhaps. Obviously not ALL Spanish horses are mad, crazy hotheads, and not all Spanish riders are godlike classical masters (very far from it indeed, I've seen some awful riding in Spain), but PRE's/Spanish are by nature a very hot breed and, most importantly, in Spain they are trained and kept in a manner which is entirely different to the English way of doing things. I have adapted (and I like to think improved) my riding to access the horse, and riding anything else now feels like 20 rounds with an all-in wrestler.

 

[browbrow]

Lots of good advice from Spanish horse owners here, and some not so enlightened perhaps. Obviously not ALL Spanish horses are mad, crazy hotheads, and not all Spanish riders are godlike classical masters (very far from it indeed, I've seen some awful riding in Spain), but PRE's/Spanish are by nature a very hot breed and, most importantly, in Spain they are trained and kept in a manner which is entirely different to the English way of doing things. I have adapted (and I like to think improved) my riding to access the horse, and riding anything else now feels like 20 rounds with an all-in wrestler.

Summing up the whole thread really - you just cannot expect a spanish horse or any type of overseas horse to adapt to an English way of stable management ( and climate) and the whole key to making it work is as you say Cortez, is the rider that needs to adapt to these fab horses. I have to say I think they are great horses but fall flat for their lack of jumping ability so can stay in Spain for me!!! I was in bascara, Andalucia last week riding a very hot pre mare who was fantastic to ride, quirky, bold, busy.... I can imagine shipping her over to the uk would be a disaster, it would blow her mind so for me she can stay in Catalonia !

 

[showpony]

OK, firstly I know NOTHING about PRE's at all. BUT you only have the horse a week - & horse is still young enough.. It took 3mths for me to get to know my youngster & after 1 wk I landed unbalanced on her back & she took off & I ended up being slammed into the arena fence which broke on impact - lots of bruising but thank god no broken bones!! TBH it really took over 3mths for us to trust each other, lots of ground work & for first couple mths light schooling, nothing mad! Unfortunatly this is the risk about riding, especially youngsters! I got myself a custom saddle with huge knee rolls & this has helped my security in the saddle should she " Choose " to have a moment which of course she still has as she is a baby.
My mare was very fresh for the first couple mths, found that lunging before riding really helped & don't think that horse can be classed as a nightmare after one incident one wk on that you bought her.

 

[Goldenstar]

I hope your recovery in straightward and you are not in to much pain .
In your situation taking into account the position you are in with work I would advise if you where my friend to return the horse to the dealer it's early days and the dealer may not take it back so easily later .
When you are recovered look for another horse perhaps older that will fit in with your work more easily , in a demanding job a horse should be relaxation and pleasure .

Good luck

 

[stencilface]

but fall flat for their lack of jumping ability

http://www.lusitano-interagro.com/novi.htm

http://www.endhousestud.co.uk/associate/crowncornelion.htm