HELP!!**warning - long**

[MillionDollar]

Oh no!!! I feel for you as im speaking from experience.

When i got my 1st 2 ponies both NF and very green at 5 and 6, when they saw other horses they went crazy- i left useless plus i was only 10 but with perseverence they are now fantastic in everyway including hunting and going on fun rides.

Plus when i got Lottie (Danish WB) i loved her but for the 1st few weeks i was petrified of her!!! She scared the hell out of me- but again i persevered and, i think i was crazy, took her on a fun ride, she was fantastic i loved her so much from that day on- shes perfect! It was just that i was not used to a horse like her and didn't understand her.

However, if you don't feel safe on this horse prehaps you shouldn't carry on BUT he might be a completely different horse in a few days time when hes settled down.
I would turn him out for a couple of days tbh!!! Plus he is only 5 so will have a few baby moments.

Hope this helps, Claire

 

[S_N]

My gut reaction is to agree with pretty much everyone else and to send him back. I can totally see where Tia is coming from, but this horse was ££££££££££'s - he should not behave like this! I feel so bad for you hun, but a) it is good that the person bought him off is willing to take him back and b) I totally empathise with you being worried about looking for another one incase the same thing happens again..... Huge HUGGLES!!!

 

[KatB]

Really sympathise with you hon, and I think for the amount of money you've paid (guessing its big bucks) i'd be very concerned about his attitude to other nhorses, how the hell has he coped in a collecting ring enviroment?! And even if he does settle, hes always going to have the "edge" which could perhaps hold you back from achieving the goals you're after in Dressage.

Yes he is young, and probably scared, but that is unacceptable in a horse that is meant to have doen as much as he has. My boy behaved like that when I got him, but he was a just backed 3yr old, and only behaved like that under saddle, not in the way you describe in the stable.

There are better horses out there for you, and are more likely to take you where you want to go. don't do something you may regret.

 

[LEC]

I took my horse to his first event just to try him with others and he did pretty much that. Every time another horse came near him he took off. I wondered what an earth I had bought especially when further stories came back to me that you could not get on him. I was hanging on to the neck strap for half an hour but he calmed down and I was able to work him and get him used to it. Mine was a young horse where the occassion just got to him and he had never been anywhere. I think you can work through it with time and patience. I now have an absolute donkey who is so chilled he falls asleep most of the time. There is a good article in eventing magazine this month about the Days and how they deal with these kind of issues.
I think it comes down to you and your confidence. I would ask for a couple of days leeway keep trying and if all fails send him back.

 

[burtie]

Really tough one P_G. Has he actually been out and competed before or been to new homes much, if so I'd expect better than this as he should be used to strange surrounds and horses. If not I'd be more inclined to forgive him and give him time to settle in.

But it does sound like getting this horse used to acccepting new places, horses and people is going to a long road and your first few outings could be interesting. I suppose it comes down to how much you paid and what level you expect him to be at the moment. Also will you trust this horse now? Sounds simple but once lost trust is a very tricky thing to get back?

 

[PeterNatt]

If you have a bad back you just can not afford to have an accident. Be honest with yourself and if you can send him back. Next time you buy one remember your back and buy something that is nice and steady.

 

[flyingfeet]

It's a hard one and never nice falling off!

If he has been out seen places then perhaps send him back

However if a home bred that has never done anything I think you should allow more time. He doesn't know you or the surroundings and if only ever been a one human horse you can expect a reactiion.

I was always taught to give a new horse a few days to get settled in before mounting. I also suggest giving him a good lunge before you even think of getting back on.

 

[MillionDollar]

Just want to say that i also agree with everyone about the lunging- it works wonders. He can have a buck and a squeal before you get on him, i did this with my WB when i got her- it definitely worked!

 

[Iestyn]

Send it back. You didn't buy that grey of yr instructors because you didn't want a "hot" horse. A sensible horse, even in new surroundings shouldn't behave like this - mine never has and I've had hims since he was 3. It's not worth the risk - what happens when you want to start competing. I'd be pretty p'd off if a horse behaved like that or even a lesser reaction in a warm-up arena.

 

[YorksG]

How was he kept before and has he competed? I must admit I would not ride a new arrival for a week, but then ours are all mares, who I think take longer to settle. I would be worried about a horse that isn't used to horses, what sort of hang ups has he developed from not socialising, and how the hell is he going to react if he is turned out with others if he can't cope with them passing the stable. Even an unsettled horse shouldn't try and get you off before you get on! If that is his stress reaction then he probably isn't safe as a hack never mind a competition horse. My opinion, give him a week to settle but if not ok with other horses don't even bother getting back on but send him back. Only my opinion, but the more opinions the merrier!

 

[katiejaye]

Gosh hun I'm so sorry to hear this. I had a very similar scenario with a horse I got home before Louis. Exactly the same situation, I got dumped on the first day and I have to say that I sent her back (I was totally in love with her so it was difficult) because she went nuts too. It's a really difficult one but it seems from your post that you have already made a decision. I would say wait a couple more days and then asses it again then.

At the end of the day, your safety and sanity are the most important things.

 

[LizzieJ]

I kept my mare and seven years later she hasn't changed - virtually unrideable half the time and I could sell her for breeding but a bit worried because she could get passed around and I still love her to bits. I had the opportunity to send her back when I bought her and really wish I had - she has cost me a fortune and never done anything remotely like I bought her for. I also broke my back when she went over on me so I woud send it back but it's soooo hard.

 

[Skhosu]

hmm... I would go with gut reaction TBH.
On saying that, my pony chucked me the first time I rode him at home, but he was just spooking so not so bad, (mind, a month later he jumped out of the school w/ me and I did my collarbone...) . My gut reaction though was not that I was scared and wanted to send him back.
Any horse I've had who has behaved badly, tends to behave like that when wound up in general so yes, maybe a few days to settle in, but after that, send it back! (particularly if it cost lots!)
Did anyone get on it? Would old owner get on it if you asked her to?

 

[Bossanova]

Few questions- how old is he and how long has he been in work for? Is he used to the comings and goings on a busy yard? Has he ever been worked away from where you bought him?

I would be inclined to say send him back but I know that if I'd just bought him, I'd prob persevere, rightly or wrongly!!

 

[Sags_Deer]

well i would advise you for the money you spent to send the horse back, he is big, my trainer always said never have a horse that size as you dont know how quickly they have grown. there are loads of others out there, before you hurt yourself send him back. But on the other side some horses do take a long time to settle in i guess if you want to do dressage and he behaves like this what is he going to behave like at shows. mind you look at anky she likes them with a lot of buzz. you tried loose schooling him and some calmers for a few days. good luck

 

[siennamiller]

p-g I am really sorry to hear about what happened.
I rode a horse once for someone, similiar size. We lunged him before I got on ( he had come from ireland so we did not know what he was like) he was dope on a rope, I got on, as soon as my weight was in the saddle he went bonkers, I cam off (hard) anyway we tried a few times and sometimes he was ok and sometimes he went beserk and I came off, he was unpredicatable and in the end I refused to get on him. We had to send him back. I agree with everyone else, you should send him back before you have an accident or get too attached.
Also if he is that frightened of other horses what will he be like in a warm up-you may cause an nasty accident!
a xx

 

[jennystreek]

I really sympathise with you - i have just bought a mare (4 weeks ago) that rears, bucks and bronchos.......when i take her in the school if something spooks her she just starts bronching, and she is b***dy athletic!! I dont want to feel defeated by her though, and all the while im not scared, i want to get through this. She has only ever competed in 3 intros (this year), and has won 2 of them so she must have it in her to behave!! I stupidly havent said anything to the owners, as have blamed myself for her actions and also settling in factors. I could stand to loose a lot of money if i had to sell her on if she becomes too dangerous. She has caused me a lot of worry!!

 

[AmyMay]

PG - I'm so sorry to hear that things went pear shaped over the weekend - we all know how excited you've been about collecting your new horse.

Personally I would have given it time to settle in before even contemplating getting on it. It sounds like a pretty high maintenance animal - and also a highly strung animal.

You obviously have very definate ideas about how you intened to deal with this horse and train it etc. on a day to day basis. But each is an individual and have to be treated as such.

Time spent allowing it to settle down, acclimatise and get used to all the goings on would be time well spent.

You have nothing to prove to anyone - so why not let it chill for the next week or so??

 

[Rambo]

Sorry to hear things haven't worked out exactly to plan. I hope the back isn't too bad, and that you've had time to gather your thoughts

So, firstly, how old is this horse, and how much has he done. When was he broken, what environment has he come from etc...

Personally, I think you would have been better served letting him settle in for a few days before getting on board...but hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it...and i've certainly been guilty of the same

Let's put things into a little perspective. The horse you tried obviously had something very special...otherwise you wouldn't have parted with all your hard-earned cash to buy him

You also were aware of some greenness with regard to the mingling with other horses and working in packed arena's. Neither of these things caused you enough concern at the time to prevent the purchase, and in my opinion are not uncommon in a highly strung performance horse.

What should you do now ? Well, firstly make sure YOU are fit before you try toget back on him

Secondly, I would give him 2 or 3 days to settle down in his new environment before you try to do anything else with him. Then, when you feel he is settling, start to introduce him to the school...on his own....and probably on the lunge for a few days. Slowly, he should start to settle to his routine, and then you can consider getting back on top. If you are 'fragile' (and I don't mean to put you down, just understand you back isn't great !), perhaps you could get someone else to sit on top for the first couple of times until he has got the excess energy from his system !?

Most importantly, don't give up on him yet ! The horse you tried and fell for is in there somewhere....just give him a chance to show you that

It might be worth contacting his previous owner and finding out exactly when he was last ridden, and what feed regime he's been on too. If he's a fit horse having a lot of hard feed and he's not been ridden for a while (not inconceivable for a horse being sold) then he may just be brimming with energy and confidence

Hope it all goes well, and keep us informed of his progress

 

[Farm Kat]

I haven't read all the replies. But as the owner is willing to have him back, I would arrange to have him for a week or 2 to see if he settles, and get her to ride him, see how he behaves, if he doesn't then I would send him back. It really isn't on behaving like that! I have taken on several ponies with ridden issues, and have never spent alot on them,If he were cheap, then I would persevere, but not if you have spent ££££., I'd want it to behave. If I personally had spent alot of money on a horse and it had behaved like that the first time I got on it, it would have gone straight back, no second chance.
Has it actually competed?
I too have a bad back, and I'm back having treatment for it again, so I don;t take chances anymore. There are far too many horses out there that don't behave like that, so why put up with it.

On the other hand, my sister has a pony that bites, kicks, and rears up in your face she was brought unbroken as a childs pony, which she will never be, and also doesn't mix well, she is 80% better, but you still cannot trust her, and TBH, we have 9, and it's just a pain in the arse having to remember to watch her, and yes, we do wish we got rid when we had the chance, even if she hasn't tried to kill anyone for a few months, the thought she may is still there.