Hello - and ouch!

[Gerry-Boy]

First of all, a big Hello to everyone! I've just registered here, this forum is great, I've already found so much great advice!

I've been riding for about 6 years now, I've part-owned a mare for 5 of these and a few weeks ago finally made the right decision to give her up as she's not the right horse for me.

I'm a nervous rider, totally lack confidence and she's very mare-ish, very stubborn and very strong - bad combination

I didn't want to give up riding so I decided to try again with a boy - and found my lovely Gerry-Boy

He's been living with me at my house for 10 days now, seems to have settled in really well, gets on with his companion - all good!

I've had him a new saddle fitted and he's been very well behaved every time I rode him. Very responsive, very willing, just lovely!

Rode him alone most of the time, was never an issue.

Then yesterday happened... I led him in my arena, as always and he already didn't want to stay. Usually I turn him around and he waits until I shut the gate. Yesterday I turned him around and he wanted to walk back out!
Took me three attempts to get the gate shut.

Then I got on him and he started walking (he's only 5.5 years old, still lots to learn!), I was trying to give him some direction but he insisted we go back to the gate. Tried circling him in both directions to get him going - and after the third or fourth circle attempt he threw his head in the air and bolted into a bucky canter.
Took me completely by surprise as usually he'll just stop whenever he's unsure.

Obviously I came off - painful, bruised but ok otherwise.

I'm trying to figure out what happened as I really need to understand. Arena's fine, I walked it afterwards, I couldn't see anything that would have triggered this reaction.

I have to admit I didn't get back on him as I was all alone and really didn't feel brave enough (also quite shaken). I was however going to lead him around to overcome whatever it was that made him chuck me off but he refused to move away from the gate!
So weird!!!

So in the end I untacked him, gave him a brush and put him to bed.

Tried again this morning (this time my husband was there), he was very good, walked into the arena, waited for me to shut the gate...

I have zero idea what was wrong yesterday, I've checked his tack, the arena, there was nothing obviously scary...

This is a huge set back to my confidence issues, sigh!!! Got my instructor coming out again tomorrow so hopefully I'll get over this quickly.

Sigh!!!!

Thanks for listening, just needed to let it all out I guess

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

So sorry to hear about your fall, I hope you're not too bruised and sore. I think getting your instructor out to take a look is a great idea, hopefully they'll be able to give you a few tips for if it happens again.

In terms of the whys, I'd hazard a guess that's he's young and testing his boundaries in a new environment. 10 days really isn't very long in the grand scheme of things and it's not unusual for a horse to start testing his place in the herd so to speak. I mean this in the nicest way, but you mention you're nervous and lack confidence, which leads me to wonder whether you'd be better suited to something a bit more established, especially if you plan to keep the horse at home. Youngsters often look to their riders/handlers for confidence, and can become panicked and flighty, or as you're currently experiencing nappy (with him refusing to move from the gate) if their rider doesn't instill that confidence in them.


The other thing to consider is that youngsters change shape pretty quickly so I would also look at getting your saddler back out to check that the saddle still fits him and isn't causing any discomfort.

Best of luck, let us know how you get on with your instructor.

 

[Amye]

Welcome to the forum!

Great advice from Festivefuzz.

It sounds like he might be testing his boundaries, he's young, and has had 10 days to settle in and get his confidence with the place, now he's testing you to see where the boundaries lie. I found with mine he was great for the first month or so, then he did little behaviours, like napping, to find his boundaries. Once you get used to each other and you set some rules they generally settle down again.

Was anything out of place in the arena? Sometimes if some jump wings move or a cone move mine can be a bit spooky with it. Or it could be the weather! A sudden drop in temp can make them a bit sharp.

It's worth getting his saddle checked too just in case (and teeth and back if the behaviours continue), but if it's a one off then it might just be that something had upset him in the arena (or even earlier that day) and he was napping towards the gate. It's frustrating when you can't put your finger on why!

 

[Gerry-Boy]

Thanks, both.

I was actually looking for a much more mature horse but his owner recommended him to me. I explained what I was looking for and she said he's what I need. And, until yesterday, she was right - he's absolutely lovely!

He's an ex-racer so has more experience than other 5.5 yo. (He's won 0 races, didn't like jumping or hunting either, that's how he ended up with me )

He has a brand new saddle, I've had it fit last Tuesday, can't be that.

I'm hoping it's a one-off! Plus this has tought me to really work on my seat! Heels down, sit back - don't just relax just because we're walking! Will try harder!!!

 

[Wimbles]

Thanks, both.



He has a brand new saddle, I've had it fit last Tuesday, can't be that.

Without sounding hugely pessimistic please don't discount the saddle. I have had saddles fitted that looked like they fitted beautifully but the horse soon told me that they weren't so keen.

It's the one thing that sounds like it has changed so I would get it checked again

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Without sounding hugely pessimistic please don't discount the saddle. I have had saddles fitted that looked like they fitted beautifully but the horse soon told me that they weren't so keen.

It's the one thing that sounds like it has changed so I would get it checked again

Totally second this. Back, tack and teeth are always my go to checks when it comes to a change in behaviour.

I'm still of the opinion that a young ex-racer wouldn't be my first choice for someone nervous and lacking in confidence, particularly if they're planning to keep the horse at home, but appreciate there are always exceptions to the rule and think your instructor will be far better placed to cast judgement on your suitability than someone on a forum.

How often are you having lessons with them? You may find it handy for your instructor to also school him once or twice a week to help bring him on.

 

[oldie48]

Mmm, young ex racer wouldn't be my first choice for a novice either but you may be lucky and found a gem. Racers don't have the same education as the average riding horse and I guess he'll need to be completely retrained, doesn't matter if he was a star on the track or not. Realistically you need professional help and TBH if you aren't confident and experienced it is going to cost you. It really concerns me that the seller thought he was the horse that was right for you, if it was a dealer then I'd seriously consider returning and asking for a refund. sorry to be so negative but I've been riding and owning for 20 years and wouldn't consider an ex-racer even if it was given to me, not because there is anything wrong with them but purely because they need to be in confident experienced hands and I'm not that person and from what you have said, neither are you.

 

[Micky]

Sounds like he's napping...an old favourite of horses with their new riders/owners! Find a nice instructor and have some lessons..make sure the saddler was a master saddler And fitter...get the saddle checked after 6 months for shape change .... Check your not feeding too much of what your horse doesn't need..do some ground work with him in the school too, not forgetting to wear your hat and gloves!