Fall from my 4yro today now wondering what to do.

Hunter93

Hunter93

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So I've had my 4yro for about 6 months he was an exchange from my vet as she does polo and wanted my 3yro (what I was happy for as he was too skinny for my big bum!) And I bought out of pitty as he was skinny and I was ideally looking for a sensible cob that I could plod along on and jump as I had been out of riding for a few years and after many lessons I decided to move on from ponies.
Any how, he's a very good hack, brill with traffic etc, I moved to a yard to have a school and better hacking and he finds anything to spook at in school or can nap.
I've brought him back into work as he's been out of work for a month due to abcess and re started on Monday, monday in school, had a big buck going into trot what was strange as never bucks but stayed on and he just had an electric bum all the way through, Tuesday he spooked but was good nothing I couldn't handle, today we were in the school going well when he suddenly spooked bonked across school sent me flying head first banging my head and scraping my side. (Worst fall I've had since a young kid) before this he had only got me off in summer by rearing and falling on me, while getting a contact on lunge.
What annoys me is that he isn't consistently bad as i always get back on and he acts as of nothibg has happend! but I can't ride without a body protector to trust him as a butterfly may go by! And he's also more of a project then I ideally wanted for a first horse.
I understand he's still 4 and he's a thoroughbred but was after advice really, on what I should do? send away to be schooled? Get rid and the sensible already jumping horse I was planning on getting?

sorry it's an essay.
 
Id sell him on and get something that's perfect for you. There's no point battling and losing your confidence. He doesn't sound like he is a good fit for what you want, so i'd sell him on.

If you are absolutely mad about the horse, try sending him for schooling and then get lessons from the person so you know which buttons to push etc.
 
Thank you paddi22
I've said ill sell several times but I do adore him but I also don't know what I'd get for him? So ideally I'd exchange. My mum said send him away and rind him when he's there. Just money isn't it? Looking at cheapest £120 pw round here :(
 
So he's a four year old TB who's been off for a month, just started back, it's the middle of winter and he was fresh so you fell off? Sounds normal to me, but if you prefer not to deal with all that I'd suggest selling/exchanging him for something that suits your needs better - like an older, steadier sort that you don't have to worry about having a "moment". That's what I'd do anyway, but then I probably wouldn't have bought a young TB in the first place.........
 
Cortez said:
So he's a four year old TB who's been off for a month, just started back, it's the middle of winter and he was fresh so you fell off? Sounds normal to me, but if you prefer not to deal with all that I'd suggest selling/exchanging him for something that suits your needs better - like an older, steadier sort that you don't have to worry about having a "moment". That's what I'd do anyway, but then I probably wouldn't have bought a young TB in the first place.........
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i agree with this but think its worded a bit harshly
 
Thank you for our replies.

I didn't ideally plan to buy a young tb but like I said I fell for him I know it wasn't ideal for my situation but now looking back I would regret getting a 'plod' as I would get bored.
This is the same behaviour I had before he had his break just the 'bucking' is new and his spooking is more dramatic!
I spent my savings on the tb I exchanged him for £1200 and I don't realistically know what id get for my boy.
 
I would forget the school if very fresh I think this always makes them worse, I would hack out not in open fields though, then I would reintroduce the school when back in to work.
 
Just moved yards - still settling, been out of work - was fit now fresh, winter is here - and the ghosts and ghoolies are hanging behind every bush, lunge it and lunge it some more, then get on and ride it, make it go forward dont hold it back, they become like elastic bands otherwise.
 
Thankyou putasocinit,
I think he needs working every day so the scary polls and plants don't look scary! So days I can't ride I'm going to lunge!
I'm very stubborn don't get me wrong but I think by other people now having doubts around me has started to make me realise that I may get quite hurt soon.
 
You don't have to get a plod though! I retired my tb due to injury over winter and got myself a cheap great irish sports horse. He is a joy to ride, safe but still lively, and i can bring him everywhere and do anything on him without worry. There are plenty are safe, perfect horses out there for you. I absolutely adore my tb and was willing and able to work through the napping, rearing etc, but to be honest I'm in heaven now with my new lad! I can just completely relax and trust him 100% in every situation.

Whereas before I would have encouraged anyone to work through issues with their horses, now I am the opposite and would completely encourage people to just get a horse that fits them and makes a good partnership!
 
It does just sound like young horse antics but if your not confident/experienced you could create a bad situation. This time in the horses ridden life is very important so you shouldn't just struggle through. You need to decide to either sell or if you want to keep the horse send it away for schooling or if you have a good instructor get them in once a week to help you ride horse or ride it for you then you can just lunge, long-rein and hack the rest of the time until you build your confidence. There is no need to be rushing with the schooling. Get the basics right now over winter and it'll pay you in the long run.

You must also look at the big picture, everything you do with this horse will be the horses first time, 1st time doing poles, 1st jump, 1st grid, 1st time XC, 1st water jump, 1st time ridden in field, 1st time at the beach, 1st at a show. You need to be able to guide the horse confidently through all these situations and more.
 
I would get a riding instructor on board and just go with it - you may well have a little gem there.

Baby TB, not been in work, new yard, new mum - why don't you do some groundwork too, and make a good connection together ? If it's any consolation, my lad is 5 years old, and can put in an excited bucking tantrum with the best of them. But I know that just a tiny problem (altho I do hit the ground occasionally :o), and it is no way malicious - it's just a fired up baby.

Good luck. x
 
PandorasJar said:
Just a thought.
You say he came from your vet and skinny. Are you sure he was skinny and not correct weight and now being over fed?
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From reading it the horse she swapped was the skinny one and now has the non skinny one.

Sounds like you just need to lunge a lot more. Even if it is just a few mins before riding. But if you are not coping with a young TB sell and find something else. Having struggled with bad horses it is not worth it. Especially if it for fun and not your job. Hope you find a good answer. :)
 
So you got him and you say he was very skinny. It's winter, I'm sure well fed, and he's feeling fresh. Plus young and happy.

I wouldn't go blaming a TB necessarily. I have a ginger TB mare we've called the pensioner since she was a yearling. But I would take a look at what you're feeding as it should mostly be fibre with low startch and sugar. If you need fat add linseed or rice bran. Balance with some vit and mins. I'd stay away from soy and most commercial feeds. Common mistakes with TB's, they need lots of food. They need lots of work. TB's which don't need the reserves for racing which they're bred to do, can do very well on a high fibre diet and adding fat. I'd stay away from balancers too as they are made from soya. That can really affect horses. I don't feed it to my TB's. Also if you're going to lunge it needs to be controlled as if you were riding. He needs to listen to you. Do mostly walk and trot. Don't let him fly around to get the goofies out. You'll end up with a horse that gets very fit very quick. He's a TB. That's what you get.

I know money is tight but you might need to save for a few weeks for help. See if someone can come to you in your environment. This might be better than sending him away.

But I would try those things first as they can make a big difference. Even if your horse isn't bare you should try the diet. Some good vit and min supps with things he needs(mag, b vits, and E). It's a great diet for horses wearing shoes too. And can't stress enough the importance of vit e in winter. It does not save in hay or haylage. Only plentiful in grass.

Best of luck
Terri
 
Hunter93 said:
I've brought him back into work as he's been out of work for a month due to abcess and re started on Monday, monday in school, had a big buck going into trot what was strange as never bucks but stayed on and he just had an electric bum all the way through, Tuesday he spooked but was good nothing I couldn't handle, today we were in the school going well when he suddenly spooked bonked across school sent me flying head first banging my head and scraping my side. (Worst fall I've had since a young kid) before this he had only got me off in summer by rearing and falling on me, while getting a contact on lunge.
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Just a thought but could his foot/feet still be sore?
 
Think it's a little harsh that he has been judged quite strongly by some. He is only 4 and babies undergo quite a few personality transplants growing up. You probably had him out more in the summer and worked him more! I would look at his feed and I would certainly get good help from an instructor who is experienced with babies. If you can't afford that then I would think of selling him to a home that is more suited. Don't persevere without help though or you will make a much bigger rod for your back as the habits get ingrained. I do have a youngster and he too has his moments. I am however on a professional yard where the YO specialises in producing young eventers. Good luck..
 
I got my boy as a 4yo, now 6 and would never look back. Many times I thought we weren't suited but patience, persistence and consistency paid off.
Wouldn't change him for the world. The change is crazy, he looks great and is winning out at competitions now.
Don't give up on something you believe in x
 
I know this is basic but have you had the saddle checked. Horse at that age is changing shape a lot so might be uncomfortable. My girl was extremely spooky in the school but distracted whilst out hacking so we rarely had spooks. I changed over to a treeless recently and the change in her is immense. Shes not spooked at all. Im sure her saddle wasnt comfortable. Could be worth checking even if youve had it done in the last six months or whatever:)
 
Alot of good advice here. I would just put it down to baby sillies......my share horse is 6 and he still does this if he's not ridden enough (bloody broncked round the school on Sunday due to a week off).

I understand he had forced time off but I think it depends how much you plan to work him. My share horse is currently for sale as his owner has no time and I can only ride once a week due to exams and no floodlights. He is no fun to ride if he is only being worked once a week as he is just SO full of beans (and an exuberant buck feels more scary on a 17.3!).

I don't think people should ever feel bad selling a horse that is not suitable. If the behaviour un-nerves you, I'd try and find something more suitable.

I believe alot of dealers do part-exchanges so if you know any reputable dealers in your area, that could be an option (don't shout at me HHO!)
 
Ive recently moved yards. its taken my 5yo a while to settle. she had 5 weeks off due to abscess ande being away. when i came back i took her a hack, was a bit cocky and decided to go on an adventure (first time out at new place). About half hour into the hack we went down a path which wasnt suitable for horses, when i turned her round she bronced me off and took off home. i dont blame her as i should have been more sensible. After that if she seemed fresh i lunged her first and then took her a small 10min hack but only walking. It wasnt long enough for her to get rid of her excess energy but we always ended on a good note..ie her behaving. i built time up over a couple weeks and then when i had her out today she was back to her normal self...literally over night. personally i think little and often and ending on a good note works..i was cocky and asked a fresh horse to do to much. If you like him dont give up but just be sensible. I was spoilt with my girl as shes always been good so all she did was remind me not to take her for granted!
 
Thankyou everyone for your advice!
I really appreciate it. I am going to have his saddle looked at and Im also looking at sending him away to be professionally school and I can ride him there too so they can help me out, if I can't afford this I will look into selling him or exchanging :(
We're going out on a hack tomorrow as friend is long reining her young one, I'll see how he is and whether a lunge may help before hand!
The Lady I got him off of has advised me to send him away as she thinks he's learning to take the P***, which I agree as he is young and like you've all said he needs constant work.
His feet have been checked and there all good :)
I want to know that we've gone on that experience together and taught him to jump too!

MontyandZoom said:
I don't think people should ever feel bad selling a horse that is not suitable. If the behaviour un-nerves you, I'd try and find something more suitable.

I believe alot of dealers do part-exchanges so if you know any reputable dealers in your area, that could be an option (don't shout at me HHO!)
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I really appreciate this, as I do feel bad wanting to sell him as I think I've the only one he's bonded with being on racing yards and polo he's never been owned by one person and so thats why he's a baby around me and clingy and I don't think anyone else would understand him ;)
 
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