Help struggling with new horse.

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chestnutt

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Hi, I am a long time lurker on here but I am having difficulty with my new horse and am completely stumped. Any help appreciated.

Basically around 6 months ago I spent a lot of my savings buying a new horse to event. I shopped around and ended up buying a lovely ISH from a pro, who was easy going but talented sort. He was obviously vetted and passed with flying colours.
For the first few months he was perfect, although a bit bolshy on the ground, we worked through this and had no issues. We did a bit of BS and some working hunters over winter and he has been placed every time out. So far so good.

Well, just this last week we have been having lots of trouble. He has been very fresh, and then started to nap. Firstly out on a hack, he kept spinning round at spooky things in the hedge. I wasn't carrying at stick so just kept turning him around and riding him forward past said spooky things, and when he eventually went passed them I patted him. This was only a couple of incidents, but he would whip round very sharply and try and run off home, and was really difficult to turn back around.
Then he had 2 days off due to snow, and I have no where to ride or lunge, though I manage to get him turned out for an hour or 2.
Day before yesterday went for another hack, he whipped round again and tried to to take him self home. I turned him back around and tried to ride him forward and he went up. Not high, but I hit him for it. Then he got angry and I felt if I was to really try and fight with him I would lose. I didn't let him shoot off home but kept turning him back around when he whipped round and trying to ride forward. In the end he trotted past the spooky bag and although tense was good for the rest of the hack.
Yesterday schooling, as so as he got in the arena he whipped round and set off bucking and wouldn't go near the corner and was generally being a spooky twit. After a lot of working in I got him the spooky corner, which he has never spooked at before. If I pushed him into the corner initially he would have a tantrum shaking his head, going up and launching.
Today we went for a hack and he was fine passed the place he spooked last time but started to carry on slightly further down. He was getting really nasty this time and launching into the air and going up a lot. After about 10 minutes, and going 300m in the wrong direction I manage to get him to trot past, which he did for a good time afterwards pulling my arms out. We then went for a canter twice up the gallops, past the first spooky bit and he was great, and then I took him back in the arena when I got home and he worked really nicely straight away.
We have our first BE event soon and I am really worried. I have dropped him down from Novice and am just doing a BE90. I am afraid I have wrecked a good horse, and now have made a huge loss and cannot afford to buy another (and I don't really want to sell him!) . I don't know what to do, help!
p.s I would say I am fairly experienced rider, I have evented a very quirky horse in the past, and work on a racing yard often riding quirky difficult and strong horses, so I am not a complete numpty. I just wanted a serious competition horse for a change.
Sorry for the essay. :(:(:(
 
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He sounds fresh! And even the nicest horse can be horrible when fresh. One of my previous ISH who was normally so well behaved turned into a complete pain when off due to snow. Relax, bring him back into proper regular work, hack out with a friend for now or if not, lunge him first. Sure once he is back into full normal work, he will be a different horse. Presume you have not changed any feed? Even my horse dog who loves everyone, tanked in the field today! And he is far too much of a gentleman to do that normally!
 
So, 3 rides where he's been quite sharp and spooky?

I reckon he's had a fair amount of broken-up time off with the rubbish weather and the very cold wind is just making him feel rather full of himself and so he's expressing that! I find windy weather can make the most sensible of horses into a total tit...
 
wench said:
What are you feeding him on?
Click to expand...

Not a lot! He more or less gets ad lib haylage but very little hard feed. He gets half a stubbs scoop of Hi-fi molasses free, a little speedi beet, and a mug of blue chip. No sugar or cereal.
My plan was for this week was to up the anti and have some lessons with an experienced instructor and see how he goes. I really do hope its just freshness. I think it may be that I am nervous about our first BE going wrong.

p.s It has been VERY windy here, I am near the sea :)
 
sounds as though he is desperately trying to tell you something. If this is new behaviour, and out of character for him, it i ver likely to be much more than just freshness.

It sounds to me more like a pain issue. When were his teeth, back and saddle last checked? Has he slimmed off a bit during the winter and so perhaps his saddle fit has changed a bit and may now be pinching him? Have you changed anything recently? New numnah, bridle, bit, or anything else?

I know it is hard for a lot of people at the moment with this terrible weather, but sounds as though he would be benefit from some good turn out. Is there any way you can organise for him to be out more?

I am sure you will not have ruined a good horse, but he is definitely trying to tell you something so do try to listen rather than just force him on through it! Hope you manage to work it out. :)
 
Dentist is coming next week! He hasn't changed shape really over winter and saddle seems to fit fine, but will get it checked. Physio is due out middle of april, but will try and get her sooner.
Bitting wise, I am not sure we have reached the holy grail yet. I had him in a french link eggbut snaffle as he wasn't keen on a loose ring. Moved him into a hanging cheek snaffle with a rotary bit in the middle, like this...
http://www.horsebitbank.com/small-hanging-cheek-comfort-snaffle-258.phtml

He is less strong in this and leans less, but still not completely happy, or controllable. Any other bitting suggestions helpful. I find him ok in a snaffle for sj and dressage, but on xc bitting suggestions appreciated. He is a big strong lad, and has grown since I bought him, he is now 17hh!
 
Your doing really well!! How old is he? It wouldn't hurt to get him checked by a vet that he's not in pain, that his saddle isn't pinching ect.
If he's 5/6 he could well be going through the horrors and having been with a pro who won't have given him an inch he's trying it on with you. You havent let him get away with a thing and you have finished what you started every time so you are doing everything right.
My horse and the last horse I bought on both got the horrors at that age. You would have laughed to have seen me with my current boy trotting him the whole way round on a hack with him snorting, spinning him back round the right way when he whipped round and telling him 'you can do it you little
turd!!' It only lasted about 6 months. That was also the time he needed a stallion chain too and from the field as well and even then I would dangle like a pendulum trying to keep hold of him. He's fab though, just a phase and he's perfect now. It also never affected his competition capabilities, he was always up for the job.
My late mare was worse don't think she walked once through her horror stage. Wanted to do everything at a million miles an hr including going backwards out hacking when she decided she didn't want to go past something. Hers lasted about 6 months as well.
Just keep going, don't give him an inch. He'll be good as gold again soon.
These good horses all have it in them!
 
He is 7. He got 13 BE points last year as a 6 year old and did 5yo classes too. The pro rider is a tall man, who is quite 'firm' with his horses. Although this doesn't bother me much, the fact he has grown so much since I got him, is making me think he is only just maturing now.

I try to finish every session on a positive, and not get sucked into a fight with him. If I get angry, or try to 'beat' some sense into him I don't think it will work, not in the long term as it will make a mountain out of a molehill. I try to sit still when he is being naughty, but be consistent and persistent without losing my rag (or falling off!).
 
I don't think its a pain issue at all ;) its very easy to forget that horses DO feel fresh and get the devil up them occasionally and its not cos they hurt or anything else, just because they're feeling a bit fresh and excited about life!! My mare does it regularly at her "freshest" and tbh I'm afraid I'm a bad horse owner and ride her out with a short stick and a pair of draw reins on. She has the draw reins on very loosely, but they're there to help me catch her when she throws her head up beyond the acceptable to spin, and just riding with a whip makes her think twice about spinning, even though she's never been properly smacked in her life! I worked on a eventing yard where everything was hacked in draw reins as a safety precaution, as just gives a bit more control if they have the sillies :) you'll be fine I'm sure.
 
Hi sounds fresh to me , my three are being right tits at the moment and my old guys (23 & 24 yo) both dumped there riders today :) and sounds like your doing all the right things and maybe its a sign that spring is coming .
 
Any of mine that have been horrible like that have ONLY done it when they've been in pain. Completely safe horses will go very highly strung, neurotic and dangerous and you cannot reason with them at all.
As soon as the pain was removed they were calm and easygoing again, happy to do anything without quibble.
 
He sounds a bit fresh to me. My horse can get on like that if he is fresh.

What about giving him a little lunge before you get on. That's what I do with my lad when he is fresh as I know he will buck and plant me without the lunge. I find a wee lunge also helps with my confidence if it is a bit shaky.
 
Completely agree sb if they're being neurotic and unreasonable, but when they're young, fit and maybe slightly sharp anyway, in a new home or lacking regular work, silliness can take over, which is what this sounds like. However, if the horse started to behave like this all the time when working in a familiar environment and out the blue, tune yes finding an explanation can often result in findig discomfort?
 
The wind turns my horse into an absolute idiot. I bought him as a rising 5yo and learnt the hard way that riding in high winds isn't worth it. It's almost like he just can't help but get the devil in him when it's windy!

Your horse sounds fresh, like others I think he'll be back to normal once you can put some serious work in with hopefully nicer weather. Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the responses.
I am not sure if it is pain, or naughtiness.
My old horse, an ex racer with a Kissing Spine was very difficult. When he was naughty (due to pain) it was different some how, as he wouldn't work through it but worse and worse, and stop thinking' logically.
I am scared that I have 'broken' the horse, and was thinking about sending him away to pro to get going and sell, and just having no horse :(

I am glad a posted this as I feel a lot more positive now. The plan is...
- Booked a lesson with pro rider
- Dentist booked
-Get physio booked
-Continue to work him everyday in a consistent and persistent manner
- Get saddle checked
- Lunge before getting on

If I rule out pain as an issue by getting everything checked, then if he is still naughty I will really get after him.
 
Chesnutt

Sounds like a good plan.

You haven't broken your horse. It is just that time of year, unfortunately. For my horse that time of year seems to be Oct/Nov time but my other horse it was this time of year.

You will be out eventing him before you know it :)

JANA
 
You will feel much more confident to ride through dodgy moments with someone you trust on the ground so you've done absolutely the right thing booking a lesson. The majority of horses can't fail to be feeling fresh at the mo with little opportunity for good turnout. Stick with it!
 
I agree, excellent plan and i don't think you've broken him .... they're all a bit bonkers right now because of the weather and the fact that spring is supposed to be on the way. Good Luck and i'm sure in a few weeks you and he will be back on track.
 
Mine is totally off his rocker at the moment.

Have got physio booked to check him over (saddle teeth etc all done v recently) but I'm 99% sure it's the weather.

Am booking a few lessons to make sure I have someone on the ground so I don't bottle it but will have to just be persistent and work through it and hope it warms up soon.

Good luck.
 
One of the nicest and easiest (and flashy) horses on the yard has just started throwing his toys out of his pram. He was so easy that pretty much anyone could hack him. However as he was almost at full competition fitness, this wretched weather has put turnout and exercise out of the window and he is becoming OTT with his owner. As a matter of interest, everything had been checked on him as a starting point for the new year. This is not pain related, its a very very fresh horse who is bored. Keep a regular work programme and do have good instruction to get you back on track. And I am hugely envious as your boy sounds absolutely lovely!
 
Sounds like a good plan, check everything is hunky dory comfort wise first... then accept that it may well just be the wind and the start of the season (meaning close to very fit) and the rubbish weather are sending him bonkers. Coupled with the fact he is only a baby still and irish-types can be slow to mature.
You're doing everything right; if it were a horse at the racing yard you probably wouldn't think twice about it playing up. It's because he's yours, you paid a lot of money for him and he is very talented... but have faith in yourself! You wouldn't have bought him if he weren't suitable :) Your first BE will be fine, you know he has the ability to go around a far more challenging course than what you're asking. But good on you for dropping him down and allowing yourself time to realise you can both do it.
 
Has anyone who's horse is normally quiet but becoming excitable during bad weather put them on a calmer to get through the bad weather? did it make any difference?
 
I can't say I've tried a 'normal' calmer so to speak... I once tried ACP (sedalin) on mine so I could clip his ears, didn't work at all. So we have an immaculate clip everywhere and a huge pair of hairy donkey ears :rolleyes: I can't be bothered getting him sedated properly, he obviously likes the donkey look.
I think I'm lucky, although the wind gets under his tail and he spooks at anything and nothing, and has complete brain farts for no other reason than it's raining on his face... he's a very good boy. I forgive him his dislike of bad weather and his return to immaturity, a lot of it i think is not letting it get to you. Horses will always be trying, the key is to not lose your rag and remain firm, fair and confident. Which is exactly what it sounds like chestnutt is doing :)
 
Another vote for time of year/weather playing havoc. My normally chilled out gelding seems to go doolally after snow. First time in January when he bolted with me for first time, then this weekend when he spent the lengths of the gallops (in trot) doing some seriously bizarre movements - it looked like a cross between the world's worst attempt at piaffe, and something about to launch into a rodeo move. Refused to walk, and refused to go forward, just went for nearly a mile in this horrible horrible movement. Turned round, came home and he was fine - just was cold, hyper and fancied being a plonker.
 
I would also suspect, OP, your horse has spent the bulk of his working life in quite a strict program.

It's tricky. Big, athletic, healthy purpose bred horses, on the whole, are happier, healthier and saner when they work. But that's tricky to keep up in the current, um, climate. Is there any way you can get him a spell of hard work for a week or so? It's a bit unclear - do you have a currently useable school at home or just hacking? If time is an issue is there anyone else who can work him a few times?

I'm not negating the possibility of discomfort but his behaviour does not sound all that unexpected or unusual, given his type, background, circumstances etc.

That doesn't make it any less undesirable, of course!
 
My school has been barely usable, so often it means hacking out straight onto the road, which is the last thing you want to do on a silly horse!
Also his old pro yard, had all the faculties and I have barely any!
I have had fun at work, after a few easy days one horse bucked, then the horse I was on, normally an old schoolmaster set off bucking too! I think he probably be fine in company, but I am on my own at home :(
I think I am worrying as this is meant to be my 'fun' horse, and at the moment I find a 4 year old racehorse a more relaxing ride!
 
chestnutt said:
My school has been barely usable, so often it means hacking out straight onto the road, which is the last thing you want to do on a silly horse!
Also his old pro yard, had all the faculties and I have barely any!
I have had fun at work, after a few easy days one horse bucked, then the horse I was on, normally an old schoolmaster set off bucking too! I think he probably be fine in company, but I am on my own at home :(
I think I am worrying as this is meant to be my 'fun' horse, and at the moment I find a 4 year old racehorse a more relaxing ride!
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Relax about it. If you can't get him into a regular work routine, I would be tempted to let him down a little and then bring him back when the weather is kinder to us. Honestly, even the really kind horses on our yard are flexing their collective and overfit muscles at the moment!. Last time I sat on my normally game horse, I spent 35 minutes with a highly wired horse. It was the equivalent of trying to talk to a teenager who is singing with their fingers stuck in their ears. He had the weekend off thanks to the snow and everything frozen and yet again, our school is frozen solid tonight (and yesterday!). I will be lunging gently before I get back on to make sure he is listening to me! I am well aware that if I got on and expected him to behave as normal, I would be sadly disappointed as well as probably being speedily dispatched! And this is a kind horse who enjoys his work and has not one once of malice in his entire body!
 
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