Help? Nutty Horse?

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amanda1788

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Hi

I have a 5 year old gelding, i bought him about a month ago, and I bought him from a dealer, he is basically my first horse(another storey) and I have been having problems with him. Basically he sold to me to be really safe, she said he had never reared bucked bolted or anything like that, she did say he could be a bit spooky on his own but for 5 that was ok. anyway the first week or so of having him he was great hacked him out alone and in company and he was fine. Then last week when i was on a hack with another horse he bronced (not sure how you spell) when i wouldnt let him follow another horse we met on the hack. even though he already had company. then i took him with my mum walking with us and he suddenly starting neighing and bronced and bucked until i came off then bolted across a main road towards some other horses. Now people have told me its because he is baby and needs to get more confident on his own which is fine as i dont mind working with him if its just him being a baby. But then the other day when leading him he went nutty and bronced nearly crushing me. And today i took him in the school and he got a bit excited when some other horses came near, but then was ok, the out of the blue and for no apparant reason he went nutty broncoing and bucking until i came off, then was bucking and rearing round the school, so basically is this just him being baby like or is he being naughty? As I have really lost my confidence.
Thanks, sorry about the really long post!
 
There's no such thing as naughty. Have you had him checked over - back, tack etc. How much turnout does he get/feed etc? Ideally you need a good riding instructor to give you lessons, a green 5yo and novice owner are not really suitable for eachother unless you get the right help. I was novice when I brought my first youngster and only managed with the help of some very good instructors and experienced horse people.
 
I think ideally maybe you should consider trying to return him, he does not sound like the suitable first horse and if in a month he has managed to take away a lot of your confidence he doesn't sound right for you. As he was sold to you as safe you could phone the dealer and get them to trade the horse for another
 
Sounds like a young horse which has worked you out before you worked him out (as they always do!) he has learned V quickly how to get rid of you, you must stop this now or it will become a habit of a life time, he needs socialising with other horses in controlled enviroments. the sooner he learns to keep his attention on the rider when other horses are around the better, it's just his instincts but it needs training. if you have lost your confidence in him he will know about this he will feel it when your handling him and riding him. I would say get some professional help with him so that you can both get through this.
 
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There's no such thing as naughty.

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so if a horse is checked physically, back, saddle, everything you can think of and it is still bad what is it then. Our yard had a pony that was exactly that! which to me is naughty
 
er how about groundwork and correct schooling for a young horse, gaining trust, setting firm, clear boundries etc??? besides the physical checks? How anyone could deem a young horse with (I presume) a novice owner naughty I'll never know!
 
Would the dealer take him back or exchange him? If you haven't got too attached to him it might be the best way to go. It could be something physical or it could be just attitude. Either way it will probably cost a lot of time/money/training to sort out if this is your first horse. And you may well lose all your confidence on the way. From the sounds of it you could end up dumped in the middle of the road if you hack him so you might be stuck in the school for months.

Does the dealer have a good reputation? I would think its more than likely she knew about this behaviour.
 
Try to return him to the dealer. Or have him vetted. Sounds like one I bought turned out to be a rig. He went back full refund. Its hard trying to find the right one especially your first. Did you take anyone with you?
 
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What about horses that take advantage of novices or strangers? Daisy is lovely with me on the ground but terrorises my friends who look after her when I'm on holiday. I've known riding school horses and particularly ponies that were experienced at dropping the shoulder at just the right point to ditch the rider and be able to trot off to continue their favourite pass time of eating
 
Sounds like he is a sharp baby to me. Maybe confused? I would get an instructor with experience with young horses that can teach you to keep him calm and that can get you our confidence back! Some horses if they know you are nervous can play on that and deck you. You have only had him a month, and like someone has said, he has worked you out before you have worked him out. I am sure that with the correct tuiton and some firm handling he will come right,after all he is only a baby!
 
Sorry to hear he's knocked your confidence. He is young but he's realised that he can boss you around so that's what he's doing. I would either see if they will exhange him or get yourself a good instructor, or, send him away to a professional for a couple of weeks to see what they make of him. It may just be that's he's not suitable as a first horse so needs someone more expeienced to bring him on.
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