From complete lunatic to dream horse...in a year

Andiamo

Andiamo

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From complete lunatic to dream horse...in a year

It's a year on, and thought I'd tell the story of a dangerous loonie who has now turned into my dream horse....

I bought him in Belgium at the end of April 2011, he was meant to be a "safe" horse, that's what they told me anyway. I wanted a safe one after having my confidence and bones shattered by my previous Hanoverian horse. I am sure he was drugged when I tried him in Belgium, I did think it strange that they were selling him (and were not riding him themselves), when they had had two other stallions that they rode daily (the sellers were a middle aged couple, and kept the horses at home, and they both worked fulltime in jobs (not horse related).

Anyway, long story short...bought him, had him brought to the UK, and he was a lunatic from day 1 - hyper beyond belief, had obviously never been around mares (he had just been gelded I found out), he would leap about while being groomed, picking out his feet took 4 people to achieve...and OMG riding was taking your life in your hands - he bolted blind, and did not seem to even have been backed, he would try to bolt as you mounted - so he had to be held securely by a competent person on the ground in order to get on him - and then had to be held tightly or on a lunge line for the first couple of rounds of the school - unless you wanted to go about 120mph around it. He scared the life out of me, and I realised I had made a huge mistake....

I won't bore you with the details of all the back checks, osteopath treatments, vet checks, dental checks, trialling of different bits, corrective farriery, behavioral training with positive reinforcement, in-hand groundwork, nutritional consultations, and two new saddles in the space of the first 3 months (cost me a bundle)...plus lots of training for me and him from a fabulous grand prix dressage rider who has helped hugely. Tried every calmer on the market, and tried many different types of feed.

Anyway, it's now a bit more than a year later, and he has slowly turned into my dream horse. There are still quirks, he is a spooky horse, but every day he gets a little bit better, everyday I see progress, and progress is addictive :)
It's been a long haul, I have learned loads, so has he!, but I am so happy that I did not give up on him!! With a lot of patience, love, kindness, consistency, and some help from a fab trainer - he has completely transformed.
Before, people at the yard I was on would hover around, they would ambush me, and say "get rid of him", "he's too much", "he needs a professional rider", "get something safe"...

Now, (on a different yard) ...I get lovely kind comments like "what a beautiful horse", and people want to know all about him, which warms my heart.

Everyday he learns a little bit more, he is very clever...yesterday I asked for Renvers - he's never done it before - he did it perfectly, much to my surprise!!! he picks things up so quickly, it blows me away!
We still have huge spooks out at shows, which of course affects his scores, but I look at every comp as an "outing" - with no pressure for him, I just want him to be a little bit better each time we go...and I know once he has more confidence when out, the scores will come...

I love him to pieces now, and look forward to every ride. And to think I almost gave up!! His progress & transformation is hugely rewarding :)

Anyone else have a nice story of a positive transformation of a horse?

Some pics of him below - from July 2012.

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What a beautiful horse! :)

I think you are right, it is the progress that is addictive and as long as you can see it however small it is, it makes it all worth while. Lucky horse to have found someone with that sort of philosophy, willing to give him the time he needs.

Lovely positive story that cheered me up on Friday morning :D
 
What a stunning horse!

Well done for doing all that in a year :O
I would have said I helped to transform J from a nervous, spooky horse lacking confidence to a great little horse - he still has quirks etc and it's taken me 18 months, J's change seems nothing however in comparison.

Well done :D
 
Well done, what a journey, but kudos for not giving up. I am in a similar situation to you, although nowhere near the dream horse stage. Was thinking about selling my youngster as we've had a number of problems, including me coming off and breaking my ribs in January, but I now feel like we're getting somewhere (although she can't be ridden at the moment) - two days ago she whickered when she saw me and was following me round the field like a big dog yesterday. :rolleyes:

Thank you for sharing your story, it brought a tear to my eye and will help me be brave in the face of everyone who thinks I should sell!

P.S. He is GORGEOUS!!
 
Thank you @Kirsty+Java and Lollysmum :)

I read in a book by Jo Hinneman recently - The Simplicity of Dressage (great book by the way!)...he said it takes 18 months to give a foundation training to a young horse... so I think we are right on schedule :)

I am gutted though that my Jeep 4x4 has just decided to die, and needs an entire new transmission...which means I can't get him out to any more shows for the moment.

I moved him this week back to a new yard on full livery (DIY just isn't my thing, two full wheelbarrows of poo PER DAY!!! was just too much!) - he settled almost immediately, I rode him in the school on Day 1, and he was an angel. Last night however, there was a herd of frolicking, leaping, mooing cows next to the school, plus rode in the dark with floodlights for the first time... he was not having any of it - spooked & napped constantly - but I stayed on board, which is always a good thing :)) - for his first time meeting cows close up and being ridden in the dark, he did really well!!

My new motto is: What doesn't kill you....is all good training :)
 
What a lovely story! Beautiful pictures. Was there one or two things that you think made the difference (i.e. feed, saddle etc) or do you just think it was hard work, perserverence and getting his trust?
 
I love your new motto - and may, with your permission, borrow that as well - if that's ok.

It's inspiring to see the progress that you have made with him, as I remember old posts about some of your darker times with him. He is a real credit to you and I hope that I can get to that point with my boy, one day.

It must give you such an immense sense of pride to see what you have achieved together - knowing all that you endured to get there.

Well done. Really - well done.
 
@Vetwrap - yes of course you can use the motto! It's a great one :) it makes me view spook-inducing things in a completely different way.

@Supanova - answering your question - what worked? - I bought a new Wow Competitor dressage saddle - it made a big difference, it transformed his movement /paces, gave him freedom through the shoulder, and immediately he didn't head toss as much when ridden. The lessons with a fab GP rider have helped immensely, this pro is used to dealing with lively, spooky, naughty horses, and she taught me some good tricks which brought about positive change immediately, or when they didn't, she'd jump on him and sort him out!
 
Ah love this story, well done. He is so beautiful as well.
I went through a similar thing with my late mare, a bit different as it was handling she was worse than riding but it took me 6 months of hacking before she would tolerate being schooled. It was blood, sweat, tears and tantrums I can tell you but it was a journey I will never forget and she turned into a real take anywhere, do anything type of horse and she gave me so much fun and pleasure.
I love the progress achieved, you are right it is addictive. My current boy has been pretty easy but still the odd up and down as with any young horse but even then it just gets better with every passing day, week and year. It's the building of the partnership I find as well, I love it. Its why I have a horse tbh :).
 
@JGC - sorry to hear about your accident with yours....mine hospitalised me for a week last summer, with a further 3 weeks of recovery time needed - after a massive bronc'ing session. About 5 weeks ago he dropped me on my head in the school, after a massive spook, bolting, leaping session when five deer appeared at the side of the school...
Be brave, carry on, pay attention to the positives, appreciate the progress, and be sure there is nothing underlying the behaviour. Also, lunge/ pessoa before getting on if the horse has a naughty twinkle in it's eye as you're grooming it ;) it's knowing when to recognize the small signs that will keep you safe.

I saw a video of Michael Eilberg with a young horse, he said he lunges the youngsters before getting on - his secret was to crack the lunge whip loudly a couple of times whilst lungeing - it will get the monkey out of the horse before you get on. It's a tip I still use...
 
Lollysmum said:
What a beautiful horse! :)

I think you are right, it is the progress that is addictive and as long as you can see it however small it is, it makes it all worth while. Lucky horse to have found someone with that sort of philosophy, willing to give him the time he needs.

Lovely positive story that cheered me up on Friday morning :D
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what a lovely horse and a great story i bought a mare last year complete stress head after 3 weeks i was thinking what have i got myself into well all i can say i am so glad i carried on with her she is going really well and so true the progress is very addictive i had a great lesson on wednesday and really miffed as i am at work for 4 days so wont be able to carry on where i left off though she will be hacked on the weekend by a freind i cant wait till monday to ride again well done to you aswell :)
 
He is lovely!! Well done for sticking with him, Im in the same postion as you, so many people told me to sell but like you said 'What doesnt kill you, is good training!' The horse has taught me so much, and although hes always been easy to handle riding him was awful in group lessons at riding club we would just go backwards or rear constantly, now 18months on hes super, still quirky but I love him.
Good on you!!! :)
 
Andiamo said:
@JGC - sorry to hear about your accident with yours....mine hospitalised me for a week last summer, with a further 3 weeks of recovery time needed - after a massive bronc'ing session. About 5 weeks ago he dropped me on my head in the school, after a massive spook, bolting, leaping session when five deer appeared at the side of the school...
Be brave, carry on, pay attention to the positives, appreciate the progress, and be sure there is nothing underlying the behaviour. Also, lunge/ pessoa before getting on if the horse has a naughty twinkle in it's eye as you're grooming it ;) it's knowing when to recognize the small signs that will keep you safe.

I saw a video of Michael Eilberg with a young horse, he said he lunges the youngsters before getting on - his secret was to crack the lunge whip loudly a couple of times whilst lungeing - it will get the monkey out of the horse before you get on. It's a tip I still use...
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Thanks for the tips, there was an ovary problem underlying my mare's behaviour which is hopefully being sorted, but there were other problems too. I will bear all this in mind when it is time to get back on.
 
He is stunning, the transformation is amazing!
You should be super proud of yourself as well, you're obviously extremely talented and the difference in him is amazing. I dread to think what would have happened to a horse like him if you hadn't had the determination and skill to turn it around for him.
Wishing you a long and happy career together :)
 
Hi your lad is lovely well done for your faith in him ' believe me i know where your comeing from' after 4 yrs of the WRONG instruction and being told to pts me and my boy 16.3 belgium warmblood burgraffe /lux lines so well build lad really turned corner dressage judges love him my instructor wants him shes an international dressage rider and im glad ive kept going its not easy but nothing worth haveing ever is :)
 
Gorgeous horse, lovely story, very well done to you both!!!
I have a former lunatic too who is fairly unrecognisable within a year (from a 'shoot or geld' youngster - breeder's words, not mine - to one who is now well on his way to being backed and sane-ish).
And like you, I bought another who I'd hoped and been led to believe was a much more straightforward prospect which I'd be able to crack on with and get riding as a bit of 'light relief' from my project young loon...oh how misleading that little idea was!
He might have had the appearance of being tamer and calmer than my youngster, but by starting the training process with him, it became clear he was little more than an unhandled horse left ungelded until the age of 6 who was completely terrified underneath and had a full-on meltdown, complete with escalating explosive blind bolting...fast forward some great professional help; some Dr Green; me getting over myself and my disappointment that I had another huge project on my hands and I've started all over again with him.
He is taking the baby steps he presumably never had as a youngster and we have definitely turned a corner and however it long it takes, I now know I can bring him round - one day!
So your story is very inspiring and I agree, once you see the tiniest bit of progress, it makes it all worthwhile and motivates you to keep going. :D
And yes, I'm adopting your motto too! ;)
 
ELAINE.69 said:
Hi your lad is lovely well done for your faith in him ' believe me i know where your comeing from' after 4 yrs of the WRONG instruction and being told to pts me and my boy 16.3 belgium warmblood burgraffe /lux lines so well build lad really turned corner dressage judges love him my instructor wants him shes an international dressage rider and im glad ive kept going its not easy but nothing worth haveing ever is :)
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@ELAINE.69 thank you for sharing your story :) - do you have any pics to post of yours?

b1ackhorse said:
Such a lovely story and such a beautiful horse, you should be a very proud owner.
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Thank you :)

Cobiau Cymraeg Wyllt said:
Gorgeous horse, lovely story, very well done to you both!!!
I have a former lunatic too who is fairly unrecognisable within a year (from a 'shoot or geld' youngster - breeder's words, not mine - to one who is now well on his way to being backed and sane-ish).
And like you, I bought another who I'd hoped and been led to believe was a much more straightforward prospect which I'd be able to crack on with and get riding as a bit of 'light relief' from my project young loon...oh how misleading that little idea was!
He might have had the appearance of being tamer and calmer than my youngster, but by starting the training process with him, it became clear he was little more than an unhandled horse left ungelded until the age of 6 who was completely terrified underneath and had a full-on meltdown, complete with escalating explosive blind bolting...fast forward some great professional help; some Dr Green; me getting over myself and my disappointment that I had another huge project on my hands and I've started all over again with him.
He is taking the baby steps he presumably never had as a youngster and we have definitely turned a corner and however it long it takes, I now know I can bring him round - one day!
So your story is very inspiring and I agree, once you see the tiniest bit of progress, it makes it all worthwhile and motivates you to keep going. :D
And yes, I'm adopting your motto too! ;)
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@Cobiau Cymraeg Wyllt - wow, we certainly have a lot in common then! I found out recently that the stud that my boy came from basically leave the youngsters out unhandled from a foal to 4 years old, or until someone expresses interest in buying. So, he was completely feral in his first few years, which would explain why he didn't trust people, and couldn't form a bond.

There is definitely huge value in taking a big step back to the beginning and starting over, especially if the horse is a nice person...it's not their fault that they've been handled / started badly, they deserve a fresh start and a kind heart to get them going on the right path :)
 
What a wonderful story, and a wonderful horse. I'm writing to say thank you for that, because it gives me the hope and the courage to carry on.

3 months ago I bought a gorgeous, so-laid-back-he-was-almost-horizontal ex-racer who had had a year's re-schooling. 2 months in and I was a jibbering wreck every time I went to ride him, mainlining Bach's Remedies and praying no one would see my wobbly legs. He had become a bucking bronco and it was real head between the knees until you came off stuff. Alternatively, it was spook at nothing, stick our head in the air and bolt. We've had teeth checked - lots of nasty ridges; saddles checked - he has changed shape so much in the last three months my saddles fitted to him shortly after I bought him both press in all the wrong places so a new one is being built; back checked; and disasters on the lunge beyond anything I've ever seen before. My trainer said that despite all the bad things, some of it is just bloody mindedness.

But, we've gone back to the beginning, starting with lungeing again (namely so that I can lunge him to within an inch of his life before riding). He's had three days off because the saddler thought he was a little unsound and we start a six month planned programme of development tomorrow. Your story has given me so much to think about and hope for. Thank you.
 
awwww wow what a lovely story. ;) Made up that you both came through it. I have also bought a horse with a history that I have no knowledge of shes andalusian and Im having to go back to basics but you have spared me on reading your post. Good luck for the future xxxxxx
 
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