Help for a friend

happyhack

happyhack

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My friend M has just bought a new horse. He's a 16.1hh Selle Francais (N) that has one hell of a buck in him
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She part exed her TB mare for him and for the first couple of weeks, he was the perfect horse. He was everything she was looking for.

In the last month though, he has "turned". When he lands after a jump. He bucks and has her off at least twice every time she jumps him. He also rears very high.
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She has had a back person out to him who is coming out agin this week, who has said he is very tight through his back and withers and his saddle and teeth are next to be checked. A colleague of one of the girls(S) at my yard has been up to see him too (C-he works with problem horses) and had him schooling and jumping beautifully. He took none of his crap when he was bucking and rearing, he is coming back this week.

We went out for a hack yesterday (me on Bondi, M on N and S on her horse L), M met me and S at our yard on foot and crying her eyes out. When she mounted he reared up and nearly went over with her.
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She was a bit worried about getting back on him, but all credit to her, she did and we went our for our hack where he behaved like an old RS horse who had been there done that. The week before on the same hack, he ditched her twice after spooking and then bucking.

The thing is he's a very nice horse, that when he is working well shows potential to be VERY special indeed (He was jumping the top of the wings and doing advanced dressage movements by the end of C's session with him), but I am worried that M is going to get seriously hurt, she's only 19.

I am probably just being an over protective friend, but I was just wondering if there is anything else that anyone could advise.

Coffee and chocolate digestives for anyone who read that and can make any sense of it!!
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Obviously the fit of the saddle must be checked.

But if he's a rearer - send him back to the dealer she (presumably) got him from.
 
Do you think she was "fiddled" on the part exchange? ie., the horse had these problems anyway and these issues were covered up with the viewing (bute/sedation)or is she perhaps seriously overhorsed (If C could control him, that seems likely)? What does the old owner say?
 
She got him from dealers yard and we *think* something a bit on the dodgy side had gone on (he had been there for quite a while). She'd never used a dealer before but he has had rave reviews on here. A couple of other friends of mine have had horses from him too but have sworn never to use him again.

She tried to take him back and he said he would call her when he had a suitable horse in for her-this was over a month ago now and she is still waiting for the call.

I dont think that its that she is overhorsed-her mare was a pain in the ass and used to rear and buck too-but never to the point that it worried her, she was just naughty and there was no maliciousness there. N seems to be a bit half and half.
 
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She tried to take him back and he said he would call her when he had a suitable horse in for her-this was over a month ago now and she is still waiting for the call.

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Just tell her to take it back - and get a full refund.

Out of interest, did anything come up in the vetting??
 
nope, nothing. Flew through it.

I think she's going to give him a couple of weeks and see what comes of the saddle/teeth checks and go from there.

Then she's going to take the horse back.
 
Did she have a 5 stage vetting? If so, ask the vet to check the bloods for sedation/bute. AFAIK, they don't check them unless you have an issue and specifically request them to check.

As she bought from a dealer, I would think she has recourse via Trading Standards if the horse is not as described.
 
It's a shame she didn't she have the new one on trial for 6 weeks.
I personally would NEVER buy from a dealer. I just don't know enough not to get hoodwinked.
She'll be waiting for the call forever, if she doesn't start being a bit more proactive with the dealer.

His back is the only thing I can think of or a habitual response as a result of a past or current problem. Most back experts will find some sort of problem, if the owner is paying (cynical - moi?). A vet check, imho is prob a better call. Did she get a 5 stage vetting?
 
To be honest I think it's best to get everything checked and then rethink the situation. If he is tight in his back that's something... Did the back person advise to carry on riding? Did they sort the problem out with that session? Or are they coming back to carry on with the treatment?

If this trainer got him going lovely there is something obviously good about him. Also shows that said horse tried it on but didn't get anywhere so got on with the job... Maybe your friend should have some exstensive lessons on him for a month to iron out any issue with neddy testing out the rider. It just depends if your friend is in it for the long haul. If not get him sorted out and either get him somehow back to the dealer or send him to be sold.
 
IMO even if he has a problem with back/saddle this is going to take a lot of work/expense to put right and he isnt the horse she thought he was. The fact that other friend managed to get a tune out of him makes me think they arent a good match then either.

Sorry he would be going back asap if me.
 
I would do the checks she is planning on doing with regards to back, teeth etc. I would say most of the time behaviour like this stems from a pain issue.

However, it's interesting you say her previous horse has similar traits. Is it something to do with her riding at all - too harsh a bit etc etc? Is the horse young - if so i would say it's possibly fixable. If not then it is likely it's established this behaviour and yes I would be taking it back asap.
 
She should send him back asap. He does not sound at all suitable for her. She should also have the bloods from the vetting analysed.

If she decides to keep him, she should start with the vet, not the back person, and take it from there.
 
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