Help - rearing

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horseytea

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Hello,

I'm after a bit of advice.

I bought a new beautiful horse a week ago. When I tried her I rode her once, cantered, trotted even popped a jump. Was really happy with her. It was only a short try, admittedly as didn't have enough time because of the light (my fault - being late!!).I then had a five stage vetting, which she passed, apart from a few niggles. There's a vid of her being great too, even a child rode her.

Had the saddle fitter out the other day. every time I got on her back she went nuts, rearing, turning, head right back, napping. this was just on the yard, walking around to test the saddle. She was not the same horse and I don't know what to do. I've already fallen in love with her and want to get her sorted, my riding instructor and saddle fitter said it was her back so getting a specialist next week. My mom wants me to see if I can take her back, as she's worried for my safety. I'm an experienced rider, ridden all my life, and even I don't know how I managed to stay on her the way she reacted. I thought it could be because she's still settling in...but it does seem to be her back, she was lovely before whilst grooming her, so quiet and gorge. I don't think she did it whilst with us because there's no mud on her coat to suggest she rolled and she has a massive stable with plenty of straw. And a cute little pony as a new mate so no horsey fights. HELP PLEASE!
 
Jay tea said:
Hello,

I'm after a bit of advice.

I bought a new beautiful horse a week ago. When I tried her I rode her once, cantered, trotted even popped a jump. Was really happy with her. It was only a short try, admittedly as didn't have enough time because of the light (my fault - being late!!).I then had a five stage vetting, which she passed, apart from a few niggles. There's a vid of her being great too, even a child rode her.

Had the saddle fitter out the other day. every time I got on her back she went nuts, rearing, turning, head right back, napping. this was just on the yard, walking around to test the saddle. She was not the same horse and I don't know what to do. I've already fallen in love with her and want to get her sorted, my riding instructor and saddle fitter said it was her back so getting a specialist next week. My mom wants me to see if I can take her back, as she's worried for my safety. I'm an experienced rider, ridden all my life, and even I don't know how I managed to stay on her the way she reacted. I thought it could be because she's still settling in...but it does seem to be her back, she was lovely before whilst grooming her, so quiet and gorge. I don't think she did it whilst with us because there's no mud on her coat to suggest she rolled and she has a massive stable with plenty of straw. And a cute little pony as a new mate so no horsey fights. HELP PLEASE!
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I would speak to the previous owner (if she answers :rolleyes:)
Seems a little strange that she was perfect, then completely different once you got her home.
It sounds like she may have been doped up to me :(
 
Sounds abit odd to me, as when a horse has a 5 stage vetting they have the full works ridden etc, so she must of been ok for that if the vet didn't pick up on anything. Maybe it would be worth contacting a vet to have her blood tested?

Hope you get it sorted
 
Natz88 said:
Sounds abit odd to me, as when a horse has a 5 stage vetting they have the full works ridden etc, so she must of been ok for that if the vet didn't pick up on anything. Maybe it would be worth contacting a vet to have her blood tested?

Hope you get it sorted
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They should have pulled bloods on a 5 stage vetting so I would ask the vets to run them and see if there was anything untoward
 
Thanks,

Have spoken to vet and she said there were no problems in her back that she could see and asked if something could have happened whilst she was with us, I said no, I really don't think there was! She was ridden by a young lad even, so for a young boy to ride her I thought can only be a good thing.

She has had a blood test, good idea. Although I do feel like I trust the woman I bought her off and I don't think she would do that to me. I have found previous owners from passport and even on h and h forum but still no reply from them. No tack came with her, so we were fitting for a new saddle. Tried about 8 and every time, she did the same. Thanks for this. I saw an old ad from when she was 7 she's 10 now, which said no vices etc...that's why I find it so strange
 
Jay tea said:
Thanks,

No tack came with her, so we were fitting for a new saddle. Tried about 8 and every time, she did the same.
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Not sure I am understanding correctly - you put her through this 8 times and each time she did the same thing? I would have stopped at twice personally. Was your instructor there at the time as you mention earlier that she also thinks it's her back...
 
Echo about getting the bloods tested for signs of bute or sedation. The time you tried her, did you happen to see if she had any access to water?
 
There is another post about your horse by junglediva, she was also looking for her if you do a search it is the same photo as on the other post that you have already found.

It looks as if she may have moved around rather a lot and could be just unsettled or it may be why she has been moved on.

I would contact the seller and state that you are having some problems, do this immediately, even if you do not want to send her back the fact that you have told the seller straight away will give you more chance of doing so if you need to. The longer you leave making contact the seller can then say you have caused the rearing.

Regarding her back, there need not be any evidence of damage being done they can slip and pull muscles just as we can, but most horses do not rear and it is not acceptable behaviour and can be very dangerous so as most others have said if you can , send her back.
 
Well, there is always a reason - horses don't just rear for fun (ok, except with their pals in the field!). I'd imagine if she did it each time you put her saddle on - there is a significant reason for her doing it. I assume you saw her tacked up when you tried her??

If you have the patience/money/heart to help her through her problems, then I'm sure she will thank you for it, seeing as she may have been moved around alot....if not, send her back...
 
You must get the blood from the Vetting tested for painkillers or sedation. Also, while it is a good idea to focus on the saddle don't forget that there may be a problem with the girthing or girth area instead. It is also possible for her to react badly because of remembered pain not present pain. Sounds like a minefield, if I were you she would go back as it's not worth the risk.
 
I bought a mare last year, a TB, she was fine for a couple of weeks then started whipping round then rearing. At first I thought she was going to be too quiet! It turns out that she was given a drug called RESERPINE, it is used for humans with psycotic behaviour and it lasts for 4 weeks. Google it as it is very interesting reading.
 
Thanks. No that is a different horse, I was doing that for my best friend as she hasn't access to the internet, and she has just bought a new horse too.

The fitting was on two different days, as for personal reasons we had to finish the first one early. The first day she was naughty and reared but wasn't as naughty as the second day, that's why we thought we'd try again. She gradually got worse the more saddles on her back. we stopped on the seconfd day after the third saddle try (sorry 7 not 8) as she was really bad. Hence still no saddle, because we stopped. I would rather try and sort her out, because I think she has had a few owners, poor baby and has a beautiful temperament. I'll be honest I can't remember, I'm sure there was a bucket of water in the stable for her return. The people we got her from I think are fine, I don't think they would do anything untoward. I know there must be a problem for her to be doing it, I just want to find out what. AS the person can't come out until next week, I'm worried f by then I do decide it's long term and want to take her back (:() it will be too late.
 
It sounds as though you have am attachment to her already so I would suggest you get her back checked. If a problem see if you can establish when or how it happened. With old owner journey to you or last few days. If not a back problem and it is the saddle see if the old owner will lend you the saddle you tried her in to check the saddle fitter isn't just getting it wrong. If you eliminate back mouth physical cause or the saddle it would seem behavioural. You can then weigh up whether despite your attachment to her you want her to go back. Money to sort this out comes into it too. Good luck with sorting it out.
 
Now I am not saying this is the same with this mare. However I once knew someone who got ripped off by a dealer, admittedly they were daft for not getting a vetting done ( I would have). They saw the horse ridden at the dealers and also tried themselves. Horse went fine I was told. Then when the horse moved to their place the horse was bucking when backed. Owner tried contacting the dealer about it and to cut a long story short the horse never went back and a horse that they were offered as a replacement got sold as they couldn't make the viewing that weekend. Dealer tried to claim there was nothing wrong with the horse, saying it was fine when it left. If it had been me I would have been pushy and taken the horse back up in a trailer myself.
I saw the horse for the first time around a month to 2 months after purchase and was aware of all the dealings with the dealer. I knew straightaway something was wrong because I observed and helped out the farrier one day and it wasn't right on its back legs at all. Almost went down as one was lifted and seemed to be in discomfort. I relayed this back to the owner.
All the time they were trying to get answers from the dealer. The horse was looked at by a vet and later developed mud fever in its legs which caused swelling. I did think it was mud fever and was proved correct. I also lunged the horse as asked to and it didn't track up right and was crossing its back legs.
Shortly after I moved yards and then didn't see the horse again until around 5/6 months later and the horse had just been out at grass.
I saw several vets look at the horse and do work ups on it, the farrier too.
I also went up to Liverpool with the horse and owner and observed some tests that were done there. Horse was a mystery to them as to what was wrong.
I cannot remember all the technical terms and I do know it had a bone scan done.
My own thoughts on the horse was that the passport had been doctored at some point and this was an ex racer, as it was a TB. My thoughts were either that it was an insurance write off or had gone around the auctions. I do know that one owner was traced but they didn't give that much information on the horse.
The result of the tests showed that it could never be ridden ever again. It had kissing spine as well as issues with 3 of its legs, especially the hinds.
It was a walking money pit to be honest. I think the horse lives out at grass now. Personally I would have had it pts as it did have some issues and did struggle with weight too, but that is the owner's choice.
I am not saying that the same is true of the OP's mare but people are not always what they seem. This dealer seemed genuine but how someone with the experience they supposedly had with horses could have missed the issues with this horse is beyond me. I am convinced the horse was not only sedated but also given painkillers which then wore off.
If the horse has had a blood test it is imperative that the results be known. It should show any use of drugs, or at least the main ones for pain/sedation.
I would be extremely concerned of any horse that is reacting to just a saddle being placed on its back to be honest, unless it was just being broken.
OP get your answers then decide how to follow up on them. If a large amount of money is needed to get the horse right you need to justify if it is worth it. Even if the horse is insured be wary as some conditions may be excluded if the insurers believe they are pre existing and be wary of excess fees as some treatments may be treated as individual claims so excess is payable on each of them.
If in doubt send the horse back especially if it was sold on subject to a vetting.
I have certainly had my eyes opened since owning horses and I am sharing this, not to scaremonger but as sound advice that some 'bogey' horses do slip through the net and a lot of the time those selling these horses on don't care!
You hear about bad stories all the time when it comes to buying horses and the phrase 'buyer beware'. What I have said on here is totally true and I have done so, so that it may make others think before they go ahead and buy.
OP you did the correct thing with having the horse vetted and I would recommend this hand over heart to anyone buying a horse.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on x
 
Cocorules said:
It sounds as though you have am attachment to her already so I would suggest you get her back checked. If a problem see if you can establish when or how it happened. With old owner journey to you or last few days. If not a back problem and it is the saddle see if the old owner will lend you the saddle you tried her in to check the saddle fitter isn't just getting it wrong. If you eliminate back mouth physical cause or the saddle it would seem behavioural. You can then weigh up whether despite your attachment to her you want her to go back. Money to sort this out comes into it too. Good luck with sorting it out.
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I just wanted to add I don't think you have a problem with not sending back immediately you are entitled to work out the cause of the problem first
 
Rearing is most definitely a vice and if she was sold "vice-free" I would be getting back to the previous owner straight away! The bloods your vet took should show if any drugs were given.

Perhaps she would be willing to come and ride the horse for you so she can see the problem for herself.

It can take quite a while for a horse to settle into a new home, particularly if he has been in a few homes, but this reaction is very extreme!
 
Thanks so much for all your comments. I just hope I can get to the bottom of it. It's certainly a tough decision to make, as I have fallen in love with her, she is a beautiful mare and loves her cuddles. But I have to be more realistic! If it is she's in pain and that's the cause of the rearing etc, I just hope we can sort it out. It's very helpful to have others views, as I just seem to be going around in circles trying to decide what to do. I will wait for back specialist I think next week and see what they have to say. Depending on what it is, she may have to go back - which is just awful. If I had the money I'd keep her and buy another and work on her in the meantime. That's if they will even consider taking her back! Haven't even gone down that road yet, but have told them about what has been happening and kept them informed and to be fair, she has been very nice and just told us to let her know what is happening. Fingers crossed, bad week all round this week!
 
In my opinion it is very unlikely that she would be in enough pain to have that violent a reaction simply from trying on a new saddle. Surely any vet would pick up on the fact the mare was seriously sore through her back in the vetting?
I don't mean to sound negative but I think the most likely thing is that the horse has behavioral issues and it will save you far more heartache if you find out sooner rather than later. And if you establish the owner knew of the behaviour & didn't tell you she will have to take the horse back.
If I were you I would ring the lady you bought her from and ask her to come down and ride the mare in the saddle you tried her in then see how willing the woman is to do that.
What is the mare like to lunge, with / without tack?
I really hope it is physical as thats easier to deal with.
The truth is some horses do just go up for fun. Best of luck.
 
Jay Tea - check whether she had a special saddle

One of mine only like wows and would hump his back in anything else !

Failing that you have 2 choices of work through it or send her back

When she tries this the best method is to get her head on your boot (literally) as she cannot rear from this position
 
I have spoken to the vet at length. She says she didn't spot anything like that. although said on the lane, she was a bit flustered but was genuinely fine. Which is all the more confusing for me. Her first day with us, she was an angel, she was in the stable even by herself and was so calm and sweet, just happy eating hay for the first few hours. Put her out for a few hours when i next got her in she came in the stable she was working herself up and the next day too. It's a lovely big stable, but that is just down to settling in her new home and wanting to be with her new mates i think, after all it's only been a week. I was with her the whole time and she def wouldn't have caused injury there, she wasn't going nuts, just a bit flustered. She was certainly glad to be in the field as she had been in the stable for 3 days and not turned out at all before coming to her new home. However, in the field shes very settled I got her out of the field and she was amazing, she loves it in there and she's good to catch. stood as good as gold before the saddle fitting, brushed her, mane, tail everything. when she first saw the saddles my instructor did notice her ears went back, she was fine being tacked up too, although it was only when I got on her back it started...
 
Hi r u from trimply? If so helloo its mileys owner!
If i was u,id get her back checked,then if given the all ok it can b put down to settling in and/or trying it on with a new owner.
And of course getting the right saddle for her.
 
This could have been me writing the original post a year ago when I bought my mare. Good as gold one minute, complete rearing drama queen when I got her home. With hindsight, I should have taken her back. I didn't however, and worked through her problems and I can honestly say it has been really hard but eventually, well worth the effort. I am a much better rider and have learnt more in one year than in the previous 15 that I rode for.

It has been a huge struggle financially and emotionally. But I have had some super help at my yard. Short term, as everyone else has said, contact seller, get bloods tested, arrange back lady and let horsey chill out. Long term, decide if you want to work through this. It may take time, but for me it was well worth it. This time last year, I couldn't get on my horse and then stay on through the rearing! Now, we're hacking, jumping and dressaging :D I'm so glad that I gave her a chance to be a star, unlike her 5 previous owners!

Good luck and stay safe :cool:
 
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