Hello and HELP!!

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FingersCrossed

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Hello! :)

I just wanted to introduce myself; I've browsed this forum for a while now, on and off, but never posted but now I desperatley need some advice so I figured I should join! :o

I'm 15, 16 tomorrow infact! :D I've ridden in pony club since I was little but finally got a chance to own my own horse last november. My parents aren't horsey at all, but agreed to pay for my livery if I bought the horse and paid for everything else etc (I have a part time job), so last november I got a little 15.2 thoroughbred, who was sold to me as 8 years old, but he isnt, he's not even 4 yet.

When I got him he was a bit bargy, and just tested me in every way possible but I stuck with him and now, on the ground, he is a pleasure to handle. However riding him, or attempting to is another matter.

When I got him I rode him lightly, slow little hacks out and about, short schooling sessions etc and he was going really quite well - a little behind the bit at times, but towards the end of the schooling session he'd be working properly from behind and he showed great promise!
However, two months ago something wasnt right with his back, he started to hate being tacked up and rearing once I'd got on, so I called out a physio. She checked him over and told me it was his numnah causing pressure points on his back, and to buy a polypad. She also told me to give him a week off, a week of longreining and then to get on him again and things would be okay.

I followed her plan, except he had two weeks off (due to unrelated lameness) and then I longreined him, then I expected things to be okay, so tried to get on, however he wouldnt have. He would literally do anything to get me off.
I've been persistant with him, to an extent, but when every time I, or anyone else tries to get on he freaks out. He is, however a dream to lunge or long rein. Around this time I also found out that prior to me buying hm he had only been schooled for two weeks.

I know I need to re-back him, and school him consistently, but how do I introduce a rider to a horse who is convinced he wont let anyone on his back?

I cannot afford to send him away to be professionally restarted - if I could, I would! I can afford to get a riding instructor out once a week to help, but Im aware that this isnt really good enough.

Please help, I honestly don't know what to do. I love this horse to bits, and other than the obvious he is a dream to handle, he has gorgeous paces and a nice pop on him, and I honestly think he has potential to be a nice little eventer.

Any advice/tips great appreciated!
Thank you - and sorry for making this post so long! :)

- I would just like to add that had I known he was only a baby and had only been schooled for two weeks I would have acted differently, but I cant change the past and I never rode him in such a manner that would hurt him. :)
 
Have you got an instructor? If not get hold of a good one and explain the situation. Have you had his teeth checked? & the saddle rechecked?
 
Bless, he sounds lovely but like he's expecting pain. Have you had the saddle fit checked?

Do you have any pictures of him?

When you say get on, what do you do? Do you get on normally or do you do it like you would if you were rebacking and just lean over so he feels the weight?
 
The physio checked the saddle and said that its a perfect fit for him, but yeah, I'll find a saddle fitter and ask their advice.

Currently no, I dont have an instructor, I've been looking for one, tried about three, but they weren't for me; I didnt feel comfortable around them.

His teeth were checked two months ago, which is when I found out about his age, apparently they were perfect for a 3/4 year old which is how old is he.
 
Dizzle said:
Bless, he sounds lovely but like he's expecting pain. Have you had the saddle fit checked?

Do you have any pictures of him?

When you say get on, what do you do? Do you get on normally or do you do it like you would if you were rebacking and just lean over so he feels the weight?
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I have lots of pictures, but none really showing anything, Im planing on taking some tonight when I lunge him.

I can tack him up, lunge/long rein him - no problem. put my foot in the stirrup, no problem. anything futher than that ends up in me on the floor. I've tried just leaning over him, and the same occurs.
 
To be honest I would get the saddler out to check his saddle fit. Nothing against physio's but if his saddle is a little too tight a polypad is only going to make things worse. As he's lunging and long reining well and only objects when being mounted it does point to something painful around his back and so the saddle would be my prime suspect.
 
0ldmare said:
To be honest I would get the saddler out to check his saddle fit. Nothing against physio's but if his saddle is a little too tight a polypad is only going to make things worse. As he's lunging and long reining well and only objects when being mounted it does point to something painful around his back and so the saddle would be my prime suspect.
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Thanks, will definatley get someone out to have a look.

Is there a specific organisation that shows people who have qualified or something similar? I know round where I am there are loads of people who claim they are qualified but arent.
 
I agree with horserider and dizzle, get his saddle checked before trying to get on him again, then, if possible find a sympathetic instructor to come even if only once a week to help you out, the instructor can leave you with a weekly plan of what you should be doing with horse till they visit again so days between visits not wasted :)

Good luck, hope problem gets resolved for you :)
 
ElleSkywalker said:
I agree with horserider and dizzle, get his saddle checked before trying to get on him again, then, if possible find a sympathetic instructor to come even if only once a week to help you out, the instructor can leave you with a weekly plan of what you should be doing with horse till they visit again so days between visits not wasted :)

Good luck, hope problem gets resolved for you :)
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Thankyou - me too! :)

Should I stop lunging him in his saddle and stick to a lunging roller?

(Sorry, I have a million questions!)
 
FingersCrossed said:
Thanks, will definatley get someone out to have a look.

Is there a specific organisation that shows people who have qualified or something similar? I know round where I am there are loads of people who claim they are qualified but arent.
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Sorry just saw this, go to www.mastersaddlers.co.uk and look under the 'Qualifed Saddle Fitters' tab. It is a QSF that you need, rather than a saddler, as a QSF is trained (it takes 3 years before they are even allowed to take the exam!) to fit saddles, whereas although some saddlers do fit as well, in general saddlers make the saddles, not fit them. :D

Also anyone claiming to be a QSF will be on this website, if they aren't, they either aren't fully qualified (still training but have taken the introduction to saddle fitting course) which is fine as they will still know an awful lot or are being sneakyand should be avoided!!
 
Here is a the list of saddlers from the Master saddlers org, http://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/

Do get him checked as this sounds very much like your first port of call. Quite agree that you should get a fully trained saddler as opposed to someone who just fits saddles. Your saddle may just need a small adjustment or reflocking, it may not be a big expense at all.
 
ElleSkywalker said:
Sorry just saw this, go to www.mastersaddlers.co.uk and look under the 'Qualifed Saddle Fitters' tab. It is a QSF that you need, rather than a saddler, as a QSF is trained (it takes 3 years before they are even allowed to take the exam!) to fit saddles, whereas although some saddlers do fit as well, in general saddlers make the saddles, not fit them. :D

Also anyone claiming to be a QSF will be on this website, if they aren't, they either aren't fully qualified (still training but have taken the introduction to saddle fitting course) which is fine as they will still know an awful lot or are being sneakyand should be avoided!!
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Thankyou! Have just searched and there are 3 or 4 quite close to me so will definatley try and get that sorted. I feel really guilty now, I trusted the physio and presumed it fit. :(
 
Oh and don't feel bad, you did the right thing getting a physio out, and tried your best for the horse and are actively seaking and taking advice. Many far older/more experianced owners would not have done either :rolleyes:

Ps, I got my first horse young too, (she & her foal are my avatar) brought her at 15, and paid every last penny for her myself (keep etc) so understand how you must be feeling. Keep with the horse, hopefully a QSF & good intructor will be able to sort your boy out :D
 
Okay, thanks will do! I feel awful!
Just had a look at one of the QSF's seperate site and she charges £50 for an assessment and then the price varies depending on what needs to be done, is that a reasonable price or should I see how much the other SF's charge?
 
I used to work for a saddler and unfortunatley that is about the right sort of price :( It is worth calling a few to see if anyone is coming to your area as they could be a little cheaper if they have a few in the area to see.

Know it seems a lot of money, but trust me it will be well spent. I used to get call after call and email after email from people who had been thro physios and saddles off ebay and their horses still weren't in the correct saddle & had all sorts of problems. If these chaps had just gone to a good QSF first they would have saved a fortune!

Even if you have to save up and it means a few weeks long reigning/leading in hand/ lunging it is most certainly worth it :D
 
Is there anyway you could share the call out charge with someone else needing to see a saddle fitter? My horse reared with me one day out of the blue so had the saddle checked. Shared the call out with a friend, had the saddle adjusted and it cost £46 in total. Happy horse and happy me. :)

Sounds like you are doing it right so keep it up and good luck.
 
No, I'm the only person who rides at the yard where I'm at so noone else needs saddles, I'll just save up, but its hard knowing how much I'll need to have because I don't know how much the readjustments may cost - if that makes sense?
I completely agree that its worth it, even if its just to put my mind at rest, and I definatley do not want to put my man through any more pain! I'm going to lunge him tonight so I'll get some pictures and then be brave and ask for critique of him! :p
thanks for all your help and advice, I really appreciate it! :)
 
Definitely think getting the saddle checked is the way to go.

Once you're sure that there is no pain, then I would start your rebacking process by breaking everything down into really small steps....so he's scRed of being ridden? Of being tacked up? Start off just by having his saddle over his stable door whilst he has his tea, or a groom.

Then just put a saddle cloth on his back, and remove/end the session as soon as he rlaxes...then the same with he saddle, then the same with girthing etc...

I spent a good while just standing on a mounting block next to my boy, and as soon as he let out the tension, we walked away. Then I'd just raise a leg to the stirrup, and take it back down as soon as he relaxed.

Eventually I had a horse happy to be mounted again. (my boy has been diagnosed with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis and he was tying up regularly so in pain and learned to associate mounting and being ridden with this pain)
 
Tr0ble - thanks will definatley do that, it seems so kind on the horse, because your not forcing them to do anything, and as soon as they relax they are rewarded; how did you introduce a rider to your boy?
 
I just followed that same concept right through to getting on, so if I got on and he relaxed, I got off, rewarded, walked away, came back and repeated.

He'd already had a reasonable ridden career, done some sj training and dressage up to novice...I got him as a three year old and broke him in myself...so unfortunately it was me that caused the fear of riding through trying to 'ride through' his bad behaviour....not knowing that there was a very real pain reason for it as I had all, and I mean ALL checks done, had already scoped and treated for ulcers, and had all sorts of blood tests done. In the end it was a muscle biopsy that gave us the answer.

Unfortunately I got the answer too late and he already had muscle damage so I've turned him away for a year to fully recover, had intended to get back on this summer but I have broken my knee very badly and am unlikely to be strong enough to do right by him if I try and ride him this year as he needs me to get off quickly to release the pressure on him if he starts to lose his head, and I'm not sure I can sit his buck rear combos yet!
 
Re gradually introducing the actual getting on, I would start by putting my arm over the saddle and putting pressure on it, then leaning over the saddle from a mounting block, then when he's happy with that progress to putting foot in stirrup but not actually getting on, then a little weight etc etc. If there is somewon who can stand at his head and reassure him so much the better (but not holding him in a vice like grip lol). Dare I say it a small distraction with his favourite treat might even be in order the day you finally get aboard :D

Its worth asking the saddler if they have another local visit planned in case you can 'piggy back' and save a little, but overall it really will be money well spent

Good luck, you are doing the right thing, he's lucky to have you and I'm sure it will all work out in the end
 
Tr0uble - I'm sure all will be okay in the end, hope you recover quickly! :)

0ldmare - Thank you :) I've emailed all the saddlers in my area explaining the situation and asking if there is any particualar time they are in my area etc, one has already got back to me sayng she sometimes offers half price visits but with only 30 minutes notice, so something like that will be ideal for me, because I practically live at the yard anyway! :p

Gosh, I feel like I've learnt so much in the two hours I've been on this forum - shows how unknowledagble I am :D Haha, but once again, thanks, I certainly will take it all on board and bore you to death with the results :D :p
 
nothing to add on advice, but can i just say how refreshing it is to read from a younger member that is taking so much responsibilty for their horse, and getting a good out come. keep on kid your going to end up a fine horse woman! :):):)

ps.. how about asking the parents for a loan, and paying them back a bit each week???
 
jhoward said:
nothing to add on advice, but can i just say how refreshing it is to read from a younger member that is taking so much responsibilty for their horse, and getting a good out come. keep on kid your going to end up a fine horse
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Couldn't agree more!
 
My saddler charges £50 for a visit and will make minor adjustments there and then which is included in the price. When he/she comes do ask lots of questions about saddle fitting,and how your horse's conformation affects the fit, along with your own size. If your horse is young and changing shape, a saddle that fitted 6 months ago, will very likely need adjustment now, so don't feel bad.
Any good professional will be delighted to help educate someone who genuinely is trying to do their best for their horse.
Good luck, I think you're doing fine.
 
Awh thanks :) I'm not doing anything good though, just looking after my horse :)
Parents don't do loans, I understand it really, it means I have to be careful with my money and can't waste it! They insure him for me, but I give them the money, and they also pay my vet monthly (I'm on one of them monthly plans so it spreads the cost around) which I do pay them back but they pay my livery and when I got him that was the deal so I can't expect them to pay :), its fair enough tbh
But the good news is I've sold my ipod so I have £40 already! :)

Oh, next week there is also a back clinic on, is it worth me taking him along so he can be assessed by multiple physio's at once? :) i
 
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