first hack on new horse and he bolts off :-(

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Was that directed at me? Horses can test the waters? Really, I did not know. ( insert eyeroll). Horse testing waters really shouldn't equal whip unless you can be ready for whatever comes your way. In this case that did not happen. Rider fail. Now she wants to label the horse a nutter. It was also his first day. No benefit of the doubt. Just straight in with a smack.

Like I said I very rarely have a whip. And unlike most I know how to use one properly. Not a little tap to give me a false sense of security to show my horse I'm boss. I have many other tools in my tool kit thank you. All parts of my body. No extensions.

Terri

 

[Booboos]

I think you need to be more realistic about what to expect from a 6 year old horse who has done very little with the previous owner.

Does he lunge? If yes, it's probably a good idea to lunge him the first time you work with him to make sure he knows his commands for stop and go and to start bonding him. Do you have access to an arena? I don't by any means think you should endlessly drill a young horse in an arena but for safety's sake you need to make sure he understands your aids before you set off on a hack. Riding in the arena for a week or so won't do him any harm and will give you an opportunity to assess him.

When you do hack out go with another horse, a confident, steady horse that is likely to walk past worrying things and not get upset if the youngster does. If he is lazy to your leg keep your first aid very subtle and if he does not respond then quickly follow uo with a much stronger leg aid. If that doesn't work then try a tap with the stick behind the leg (tapping the shoulder is only useful if you want to control the shoulder, e.g. on a circle or doing lateral work), but be ready to give with your hands and allow him to shoot forwards - afterall this is what you asked him to do. If he does take off with you again (I agree this was not a bolt) pop him on a large 20m circle and wait it out.

 

[ribbons]

He was a bit cheeky and not listening so I tapped him on the neck with my whip, and he went.

Sounds like it wasn't not listening but not understanding what you were saying.
Please explain what you were trying to say to him with the tap on the neck, that he had any hope of understanding.
So many people assume a horse is fluent in the human language and actions.
You know what you meant, he didn't.

 

[emalou2]

Equilibrium Ireland.
No.
My comment was not directed at you. It was directed at the person who said that horses do not test the water. Hence my post that we all know that they can. Including yourself it appears.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Irish horse having a forward reaction to being tapped with a whip is not uncommon

 

[TrasaM]

Irish horse having a forward reaction to being tapped with a whip is not uncommon

Had a welsh section D do the same to me in a lesson recently. Went from sluggish trot to flying bucks because I tapped his shoulder. Maybe it's a celt thing. :

 

[cornbrodolly]

My first suggestion would be to find out everything you can about this horse. Why hadnt he done much? Where was he broken in? Has he been through dealers hands? Was he vetted with bloods taken? So many horses get messed up - I hope yours isnt one of them.
I do hope it was just 'nerves' on his part , unsettled with a new rider and a new place.Agree with other posters - go out in company for a few weeks.
Having foolishly bought a bolter a few years ago [ of course decribed as safe as houses], I have learnt the hard way to be very wary and cynical of what sellers say.

 

[neelie OAP]

lol Well I consider myself very experienced. Riding/owning horses since 11 and now 38!
Having ridden/owned horses of all ages.

I totally agree too, i just thought i would share and see peoples views.

I have only had him a day so we have no understanding of each other yet at all and that is a phase i very much look forward to!

We have alot of learning and growing to do together thats why i bought a youngster!

I am sure our next hack will be fab ;-)

Yes so you may well have experience, but not with this horse, so why take chances, give the poor lad time to settle and get to know you first before riding out alone in the open, it all too easy to spoil a good horse !

 

[Suechoccy]

No he's not a nutter ... you said go, he went!

You'll both be fine, build up a nice relationship together and learn from yesterday too and look back on it with a little grin once you really get to know him.