Hi everyone, Newbie requires advice :)

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BeckyG

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Hi everyone,
I am looking for some advice from experienced horse persons :)

Myself and my friend have been having riding lessons for a while and due to the expense we began to consider owning horses of our own. We are both mature (me 30, my friend 26) and after weighing the pros and cons decided it would be possible. We looked at a few farms surrounding the village where we live and chose one, stables are now ready and waiting. He also throws straw in with the price and supply's hay. Insurance quotes are good and the farm has provided contact details for vet/farrier.

I am currently looking, but in no rush, for a suitable Cob approx 15.3hh + that is possibly 10 years and above and acceptable of a novice rider :)

My friend however fell in love with and bought a 15.3hh Thoroughbred X gelding who is 7 years old from a local auction. The sellers seemed ok and told her he had been broken about 3/4 yrs and then put out for the last 2 year. Possibly mistreated a little too.

She has had him about 3 weeks now and bonded quite well. he is more accepting of a cuddle and allows her to feed, clean, groom, put his rug on, lunge and walk him without much worry.

On Saturday she decided to see how far he would go. She put on his saddle and bridle and lunged him in the paddock. He appeared to be coping well. He allowed me to place pressure on both stirrups with my hands.

My friend decided to place her foot in the stirrup and push as if she was to back him (she had no intention of backing him yet) to see his reaction. He started to buck quite aggressively, kicking her in the leg and pulling the lead rope clean out of my hands.

Today we tried again, but from the beginning. grooming him all over to see if he is sensitive anywhere (seems fine apart from behind ears)
walked him around the paddock (fine)
added obstacles to the paddock (cones, tyres, poles, chairs ect) he was sometimes jumpy but accepted their presence.

Later today we went back to him. He would not allow her to put his bridle on but she managed to fit his saddle.

When walking back into the paddock he spooked and bucked away, and bucked again about 5 minutes later.

From my perception he appears very jumpy. and appears much more so when he is tacked up. :confused:

She is now in two minds whether to persevere with earning his trust or having someone come to assess him/ have his back checked ect

Any advice will be much appreciated.
 
Get a bloody good instructor first then get his back etc checked. I would be in two minds without seeing him. It could be that because you are novices he is unsure what to do and you aren't in a position to give him clear leadership or he is in pain and trying to tell you. If you haven't had the saddle professionally fitted then pain is likely but you will still need an expect opinion.
In my opinion buying a horse to make it cheaper to ride is slightly foolish. They always do something which costs a fortune and you will still continue to need lessons for many years ( especially having bought a horse that obviously has issues)
Is there anyone at the yard who is experienced and could help before the horse injures itself, you or ends up sold to the wrong person again.
 
Definitely my first port of call would be having all relevant checks done - back/teeth etc - and getting a professional in for an opinion

BUT im afraid I agree that the horse doesnt sound the right sort of type for a first horse, given his history of being turned away/poss mistreated etc and bought from auction!

Kim
 
I do agree with all your comments. After seeing him bucking recently I know I am out of my depth. My friend however is determined to get him back on track, but then she is the one bonding with him.

There is two very experienced ladies at the farm, one of which has offered to help but my concern is that he is capable of harming her too.

The whole experience has made me aware of the risks when buying.
 
Oh dear. This doesn't sound the sort of horse that is suitable as a first horse - was it an impulse buy? I think you should get someone very experienced to come and assess the horse and go from there.
 
Well could be a disaster or a success. Get in a good person to restart this horse for you and work with you for the next couple of months, and see what you've got.

I'm assuming the horse has had the once over from the vet, and tack has been professionaly fitted??
 
Hi
I am really sorry to hear about your situation, but I do agree with the previous post that he just doesn't sound like the right horse for you.
When your friend purchased him did she or anyone ride him to confirm he was broken in and did you have a vetting done?

If not, then I would either suggest getting the vet down to have a vetting check done, then either sending him or getting in a professional trainer to help you.
I wouldn't beat yourselves up about it, it is all part of the learning curve, so whatever you both decide to do, you now have some experience underneath you belt to help you in the future what you need to do and what to look out for when buying a horse. ( and take a experienced friend or hire a trainer for the day)

But you both need to consider the horses safety and yourselves.

I hope things work out for you both.
 
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vickyb said:
Oh dear. This doesn't sound the sort of horse that is suitable as a first horse - was it an impulse buy? I think you should get someone very experienced to come and assess the horse and go from there.
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Yes I think she was a little impulsive when buying. I personally wouldn't buy unless I was sure that I could handle him/her
 
Bonding on the ground is all very well but you know nothing about this horses history, he may have been broken in the past possibly ridden but for some reason turned away and sent to an auction. Your friend needs to get some professional help jf she continues to try and fail it will be going further back every time until there is a serious accident, there is every possibility that he has a history of issues, pain related or bad handling, it is not likely to be easy to deal with without a lot of experience.

A vet check first to see if he has a physical problem, then find a good pro to either come out or send him away for restarting.

Your plan to find a sensible older horse sounds far more sensible.
 
kate89 said:
Hi
I am really sorry to hear about your situation, but I do agree with the previous post that he just doesn't sound like the right horse for you.
When your friend purchased him did she or anyone ride him to confirm he was broken in and did you have a vetting done?

If not, then I would either suggest getting the vet down to have a vetting check done, then either sending him or getting in a professional trainer to help you.
I wouldn't beat yourselves up about it, it is all part of the learning curve, so whatever you both decide to do, you now have some experience underneath you belt to help you in the future what you need to do and what to look out for when buying a horse. ( and take a experienced friend or hire a trainer for the day)

But you both need to consider the horses safety and yourselves.

I hope things work out for you both.
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I know she had the vet out a few days after he arrived and he was happy with him.
No he wasn't backed by previous owner, In fact I think he lied through his teeth just to get a sale.
he told her he took him in px and they never had time to get him working again (this was a riding stables?):confused:


The Saddle she bought on the previous owners recommendation.


P>S any advice on what I should be looking for would be welcome
currently considering a cob type 10ish years.
 
Yep, been had with him, which I'm sure you both realise.

Get his back, teeth and saddle done.

Then send him away to a private professional yard for 6 weeks on livery to be backed. Do not bother doing it yourself or be duped into the 'trust' thing. Trust is great, don't get me wrong....but experience is more important at this point. How many people end up struggling for years, just to do it themselves and put it down to the horse 'trusting' them, when actually, it could have been done much more efficiently and correctly being sent away to a breakers yard [and cheaper in the long term].

Then either sell him and buy one more suitable, or, if he's proving to be sensible, then keep on schooling for another couple of weeks, then bring him back and work with him under strict eyes of an instructor each week.


Don't limit yourself to a type. Look for experience and schoolmaster/mistress types :) You could miss out on a perfect one just looking for cobs [Gasp. Yes, I said that! :p Not very good at sales am I :p ]. Examples would be two here at ours...one is my 16.3hh ex racer [who I posted about earlier about how much I love him], and the other a 15.2hh ISH x Connemara type. Both are the complete schoolmaster types and could stick a baby on either of them. The Connie x will do flying changes, walk-canter and jump 3'6" with a complete novice on board.
 
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No, Unless it has there details in his passport... I will ask her to check
However I dont think they will care less tbh

Can anyone recommend a decent trainer in leeds area?. She did say didnt want to send him away so preferably one that comes to you.
 
Chances are your friend is going to find out the hard way as she doesn't sound like she is listening to you.

You cannot believe anything the seller says. End of story. If you didn't see the horse ridden then chances are it hasn't been. If you want to sell a horse you make the effort to get it going to the best it can go.

She would be far better to send it to a pro but if she won't, please do not get roped into helping hold it for her etc.

If she had half a clue she would know trying to get on it like that was an accident waiting to happen.
 
Try Sarah Ussher - you can google her - she is based on Harewood Park and works with difficult/problem horses.

I know someone in leeds looking to sell their 15hh (ish) coloured mared who's 7 yo. Only drawback is she's not 100% in traffic (think she just gets a bit nervous and jumpy as opposed to doing anything bad) but the woman who owns her (had her a couple of years after having previous horse PTS) wants something that she feels more confident with out in traffic as they spend a lot of time hacking.
 
BeckyG said:
No, Unless it has there details in his passport... I will ask her to check
However I dont think they will care less tbh

Can anyone recommend a decent trainer in leeds area?. She did say didnt want to send him away so preferably one that comes to you.
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If you phone the passport company and give microchip details they may have contact details about the horse but will not be able to give them out, however, you could ask them to pass on a message but then again, if you've been duped chances are the owners haven't re-registered their details etc. Owner info in passports is a blooming waste of time and proves nothing.

Afraid from the sound of things he needs a bit more intensive work and understanding than what somebody who comes out to your yard could achieve. have found with horses that have issues, they usually benefit from being sent away and have regular short and sweet contact rather than a couple of hours a week.

Can't think of anybody in Leeds off the top of my head, although it is out of our 'knowing people' area. There is a natural horsemanship training yard in Leeds area but I can't remember what they are called and have never dealt with them. We are in south yorks/lincs borders but won't come out! Know that's no help really! I do know of somebody in Goole, just down the M62.
 
Ffion: I agree when I helped today I kept a very wide berth. She asked me to lead him today but I tried to explain that it would confuse him more switching handlers. I had to clean and feed him for her sunday after he kicked her leg on Sat
 
Also thanks for all the tips, i will pass the recommended names on to her tomorrow.
As for the 15hh thats jumpy in traffic... Sounds great but I wouldn't take the risk. He/she would have to venture in traffic, i only want a light hack but I also have two children who I would like to ride at some point.
 
What is he being fed? Chances are if grazing is good and he isn't really doing anything your friend will be able to get away with only feeding him hay, and if really needed a good non-mollassed chaff (ready grass/good doer etc) and multi-vit powder. Also does he lunge? Lunge him with tack and see how he reacts.

Get a good trainer to come to you!
 
Your friend has been incredibly foolish, and this is going to cost her a lot of money I think. I assume the horse was cheap, it may all work out OK, but why bother risking injury when you can buy something that is going to be enjoyable and easy for your first horse? Buying a horse at a sales is risky for the most experienced of horse folk but a novice? You can't even trust a private seller or dealer to tell you the truth really but a sales?! I just wish she had read a few posts on here and learnt to exercise caution when buying any horse!

For you I would say find a good, reputable dealer in your area and try plenty of horses over a period of weeks if not months before making your decision. Be realistic about your riding skills - depending on the type of horses you've been riding you may well be surprised what happens when you get on a horse described as 'not strong or silly'!

I hope you find a nice horse so that your confidence isn't shattered from the off, maybe you can let your

You will still need lessons. Unless you buy a completely bombproof horse (which will cost decent money) and just want to hack you may be lucky
 
That was meant to say maybe you can let your friend ride your nice sensible horse if this one gives her confidence a few knocks, but I hope it works out OK I really do.
 
I am sorry this has happened, you seem very sensible and able to learn from your friends mistakes.

Just one question really, does your friend realise she has more on her hands than she can handle, or is she totally wedded to the mindset that getting by the horse to trust her through kindness will sort it?

Although I have 30 years experience with horses, I'd still only class myself as a competent novice and could not deal with your friends situation without help. And lots of it! Horses need clear instructions, with leadership and boundaries and it really isn't failure to get help, its more a sign of strength!

I'd echo the 6 weeks at a professionals yard, you would be amazed at what this could achieve as opposed to weekly lessons.

Good luck.
 
There is nothing sensible in owning a horse at all - they cost a huge amount of money and they often hurt us - but we all do it because we get something different out of it.

If what your friend gets out of it is taking a damaged horse and enjoys the task of making it good, then she is no more stupid that the rest of us, just has to accept it is going to be a bumpy ride (in more ways that one).

If she carries on, these are my two pennyworth, for what it is worth.

1. Abandon the idea of riding the horse for a bit, for choice you would start right at the beginning and start with leading/respect issues. Riding is probably a next Spring thing? It clearly has enough problems that you need to establish leadership/trust first. Do masses of inhand work, spook training maybe look at clicker training or anything else that will help you understand how this horse works/learns.

2. Your friend needs to gather as much knowledge from as many people/sources as she can. Read everything you can, ask around at yards and ask if you can watch them train their young horses, go to experienced people. Maybe even ask if you can help out for nothing so you can learn. Ultimately, the success of the project probably relies on who she takes help from, so the best thing is to refine your judgement on who you choose.

It can be done, but as they say, green (rider) on green (horse) normally makes black and blue (bruises), so patience and tenancity is the way forward!
 
Your poor friend, sounds like a totally unsuitable horse for a first time owner, agree with whoever said send it to professionals to be started and then sell on with full disclosure. Horses are meant to be fun, there's nothing worse then starting to dread time spent at the yard, and resentment will soon set in as you see all your hard earned going out on a horse which gives you no pleasure. Have been there myself many years ago, ended up injured and desperate, finally threw in the towel, far too late really, and have been very careful never to make that mistake again! (horse went to a far more suitable owner). Good luck with it all.
 
It's a bit of a pickle that your friend got herself into, OP.
The only advice I can give is that she needs professional help, the horse needs backing/re-backing and sorting by somebody who knows what they are doing; and I don't think a kind lady at your yard or a mate's uncle's cousin who did it reportedly will do ;)
There aren't that many true professionals that will come out to you, I'm afraid, but I suppose it CAN be done. Thing is, to do the job properly, one needs full control of the horse - what it eats, when it goes out/in, how it is handled and so on, it's very difficult to achieve that when going out to somebody's yard, especially if the owner is novice.
Hope you can get it sorted.
 
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