Help please! Under experienced for my horse

[Pepps20]

Please help. I am desperately trying to rehome my lovely horse. Bought from a dealer and with my heart taking control I now have I horse I can not do justice and am getting very depressed about it all. Cruize is a 16.2hh ISH Gelding 11yo. I bought him as a 'novice ride' been there done that. Perfect confindence giver. But three months later it is evident he is out of practice and very big and stubborn. He is my first horse and I do not have the experience to train him through this as I wanted a horse to teach me the ropes. He has a bucking habit occasionally in canter which is really putting me of and I am at the end with him. I just wanted my first perfect horse and I can now see a lot of mistakes I made in the buying process which I will not make again. Obviously because I can not show him cantering I am really struggling to sell and get any money back for him at all This is really effecting me and ruining my dreams of owning a horse. Can any one help me and my big chap. He has a cracking character. Just needs an experienced rider to bring him on. Desperatley!!!

 

[be positive]

You do not give any idea of what area you are in so any suggestions of where to go for help may be too far away.

If you bought from a dealer then you may well not get the same price as you paid as he is not the horse you thought you were buying so needs an experienced home, would the dealer take him back? you will lose some money but it may be the easiest option.
Otherwise your best course would be to find a good instructor to help you, they may be able to get you going with him so you decide not to sell or they should be able to assist with the selling by riding him to show him to buyers in a better light, sales livery is another option that makes it easier for you, it may be that he just needs a firmer rider for a week or so rather than needing too much schooling, it will obviously cost you money whichever way you go, unfortunately it is often the case with the first purchase that the owner takes on a horse that is beyond their capabilities and is why having someone experienced involved, ideally your regular instructor, when going to try horses.

Post with your area and there may be more chance of someone knowing who would be suitable to help you.

 

[wkiwi]

You do not give any idea of what area you are in so any suggestions of where to go for help may be too far away.

If you bought from a dealer then you may well not get the same price as you paid as he is not the horse you thought you were buying so needs an experienced home, would the dealer take him back? you will lose some money but it may be the easiest option.
Otherwise your best course would be to find a good instructor to help you, they may be able to get you going with him so you decide not to sell or they should be able to assist with the selling by riding him to show him to buyers in a better light, sales livery is another option that makes it easier for you, it may be that he just needs a firmer rider for a week or so rather than needing too much schooling, it will obviously cost you money whichever way you go, unfortunately it is often the case with the first purchase that the owner takes on a horse that is beyond their capabilities and is why having someone experienced involved, ideally your regular instructor, when going to try horses.

Post with your area and there may be more chance of someone knowing who would be suitable to help you.

Agree with 'be positive'. Am also a touch concerned at your comment about wanting a horse to teach you; horses don't really do this as they cannot think their way out of problems except by trial and error. All they can do is react to the situation at the time and hope things improve (from their point of view). Of course, some react less than others and some become 'dead' to everything, while some very well mannered horses just ignore what the rider does and do what they think is best. I know someone who was absolutely gutted when their advanced dressage horse who is a perfect gentleman, got only 50% in a walk/trot test with another rider.
It may just be that you and your current horse are not communicating very well and that is why the horse is reacting as it is; sometimes it can just be a difference in the amount of rein contact you have compared to what the horse is used to (e.g. the mare i currently ride cannot cope with a loose rein - she gets worried if there is no-one at the end of the reins, while another horse on teh yard panics if the rider takes up a strong contact). Strongly recommend you talk to your instructor about the issues you are having and whether there is a way through them. I would also ask the dealer if they would show you how the horse was ridden in the past, get saddle checked etc.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[PaddyMonty]

What area of the country are you in?

 

[epeters91]

I agree with everything Be positive and Wkiwi said. If you want to keep him get an instructor in with you to help you figure out what's happening and see if you can get past it or maybe have the horse schooled by a proffessional beforehand.

You sound like you have already given up on working things out and just want rid of the horse if that's the case you won't get your money back and really you need to get an instructor or someone experienced riding the horse to see if he improves with them and have them ride him in front of prospective buyers. If you are set on selling him then I would suggest you don't ride him again as it doesn't sound like it will help you or the horse going forwards.

 

[webble]

Sorry you are having a tough time. I agree with the others get an instructor in for help and advice. They will either be able to improve you as a partnership or help with selling

does the horse behave the same with other riders? I assume you have done the teeth back saddle checks etc?

 

[sunshine100*]

hi where are you in the uk i might have some ideas for you-dont give up

 

[flirtygerty]

When you say he bucks when cantering, two things come to mind, my lad always gives a little squeal and mini buck going into canter, it's pure excitement, if your lad does more than a mini buck, get his back checked as it could be pain related

 

[Barnacle]

Little bucks going into canter, as already said, are often to do with saddle fit. If it's happening when out hacking, it may also be excitement. If all he does is give an occasional buck, his problem is super easy to fix. Get someone to check saddle fit and then I'd get an instructor to teach you both and also build your confidence. Try to find an instructor who is willing to ride your horse as well.

 

[jrp204]

He, very possibly is what he was sold as but he's in a new home and has probably sussed that you are lacking in experience/confidence. It may be worth getting someone more experienced in to ride him a few times, maybe they ride him for 1/2 an hour then you jump on and have a lesson. Hopefully this is only a blip but I agree it is tough once your confidence is shaken.