Horse has to go:-(

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arty21

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Several weeks ago I posted a topic "personality change in my horse" and had lots of replies. Just to keep anyone interested up to date I thought I would continue the saga.
After taking all advice and cutting feed, increasing turnout and coaxing rather than chastising everything when well untill todays lesson in the menarge. After a spooky start in the wind and settling into a nice pace and routine, the horse for no reason bucked 4 times twisted then threw my daughter to the ground then tried to kick out at her. Sarah was under instruction at the time and the trainer was totaly gobsmacked at the horse. As she said the change came from know where. So a descision has been made the horse is going. We are all gutted but we cant have a horse that is un trustworthy.
 
I think that is a very brave and sensible desicion to have made. I truly believe that horses are far too big and stonger animals to not be able to trust them which is why i instill outstanding manners into mine from an early age. It maybe your horse has issues which are beyond environmental control which isnt unheard of but that type of animal are far too risky to trust with your life let alone your daugthers.
 
I think you have made a very well judged decision. In my opinion, humble though it is, you are better selling the horse with the problems than trying to muddle through and risking a real accident. As long as you are truthful when selling him you will feel better for it, you can get a horse you can enjoy then. Well done for it and good luck with everything
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I knew someone who had a horse which had very similar behavioural issues, with very sudden onset....she too decided he 'had to go', and against our advice, called a dealer of unsound/problem horses....he cost her £4500, and just two months later he was loaded into a cattle trailer and driven to God knows where...she was paid £300 for him. I really hope you do not choose the same path for your horse!
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Have you had everything physically checked? My mare bucked a lot when i got her but she'd been ridden in a very badly fitting saddle and she also needed the physio to her. Might be a thought. How long have you had it for?
 
I don't blame you at all but its hard to decide these things .Your daughters safety is the most important thing.
I wish you luck ,I once lost thousands on a horse that was unsafe but it was the best thing I did
 
Bought from a dealer and going back to the dealer under an exchange guarantee. Dealer has agreed to this. Personally if I was the only owner then I would keep her and resolve the issues ( if indeed they are resolvable) but I will not put an 11 year old girl at risk. I dont believe this horse is dangerous but she certaimly is unpredictable.
 
Sensible to put your safety first. For the horse's sake it would be nice if you can find him a suitable home where they can work on him and deal with the fact that he's not totally safe. I hope you don't take the easy route and just trade him in.
 
Got to say i think its a really valid point about this horses future being insecure but im sure you care about this horse to have mad the efforts you have so far so as stated before if your VERY honest you'll be suprised someone great may be just around the corner who may be able to utilise him in some way. I had a project ex racehorse who appeared to have a dual personality unfortunately I had him PTS as he almost killed me and i wasnt prepared to take the risk of it happening to anyone else.However that is an extreme case and horrible situation to be in.
 
If the dealer has agreed to have the horse back thats great, as nice as the idea of finding the horse a loving home for life is, dont feel under pressure to do it. There are many horsey people about who are looking for 'project' horses to progress with, i'm sure that the dealer will have no problems. If you did try to get rid of the horse yourself you may find that if the new owner cant cope you may have to have him back, no chance of an exchange then so may not be the best idea. Good luck with finding a new horse and well done for taking one on a sort of trial, best idea to see if they suit!
 
it sounds for the best, you are doing the right thing in not risking your daughter, am sure there is the perfect horse out there for you, sounds like this horse needs some re-training from someone, i dont blame you for not wanting to take any more risks with it
 
I know exactly where you're at.
I bought a super little roan gelding for my son to enjoy and he had I think had a chequered past. Some days he would be fine and they could trot happily over a cross pole, other days the b*** would be presented perfectly and swerve violently to a stop pitching him over it's shoulder. He always got back on and tried again. (he was 8).
One night we built a foot high course which he had done lots of times before and he went round once, no reason to stop, my son had a good jumping position and never gobbed him unless he actually was flying over his head..
He stopped at the second pole and off poor lad went. For the first time he was near to tears and I thought, "You know what pony, you've just sealed your next move..!"
next morning he was plaited, bathed and went to Beeston sale where I told anyone that he was good apart from a tendancy to stop dead jumping..He still made the top price of the day as he was stunning.
We went and found a much more genuine pony and I don't regret it one bit.
You can replace your horse a million times over, you can't replace your daughter.
Sometimes it's best to get rid, get a safer more forgiving type and start again..
I would in your case advise trying a well known dealer who has good reports such as the one in Sheffield (if you are near enough) and ask for a swap..
That way there is no problem selling the horse, as in the right hands it could turn out to be totally different.
Horses that kick out at people on the ground are normally very confident bolshy types, so this doesn't sound like fear more a naughty horse...I've seen many go to amazing lengths to avoid treading on people.
I am glad you have taken this decision, you need peace of mind..
 
I always say to anyone when dealing with a horse that we come first the horse comes second and any inanimate objects such as cars trailers lorries come last, your daughters welfare must come first and it sounds like you are making the right decision from your description of things.
 
Thanks people for all your support. Now I know I have made the right descision.
Out of interest could this sort of behavior be trained out of a 10 year old horse or is it in her and too late to do anything about.
 
IMO the unpredictable behaviour will always be in her, unless someone finds a physical problem and fixes it. However in the right home someone will be able to work with it and it might not be too much of a problem.
 
The horse that I had a problem with was in pain ,we sent it to equine hospital and they said it was his back we spent a fortune but the problem returned ,we sold it at a big loss to a pro. who said he would turn it away for a few months and then reschool [my daughter was working there while doing A levels].The horse quickly lost weight and was pts he was checked and had liver disease, he was in pain ,poor horse.
I think it would depend on the cause of the problem, another rider may be able to deal with the problem,I know a hunter who is brilliant hunting but a nightmare to do anything else with.
I hope it works out for the horse and you
 
We must alo remember that this is an 11 year old girl here - i don't have children, but really, we must always put our lvoes ones first, as she is really saying.
Shame for the horse, if there is a problem, the dealer may sort it. Maybe not. Should find somewhere.
 
I think that you've probably made the right decision, it's not worth the risk. Just as a thought you might want to get him vetted (5*) which will check for any physical problems and if he does pass you can always say to potential purchasers that he passed that 5* vetting and that might help. Good luck
 
Totally agree with Henryhorn on this one.
I love my horses to bits and they live a life of luxury HOWEVER I expect a certain level of behaviour back from them and if I don't get it then they're out the door.
You've had a go and tried to make it work but this pony is a big risk to your little girl. Don't think twice just move him on asap and find something that's safe and gives your daughter fun not tears.
Re your Q above, it probably is an issue that can be sorted . . . but not by a child.
Good luck
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If the behaviour is a habit then yes it can be trained out out the horse, but the longer the habit goes on the harder it is.
FWIW I think you are doing the right thing, if your horse is your hobby then make it fun, and being infear of your horse pulling a stunt like that is no fun!
 
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Bought from a dealer and going back to the dealer under an exchange guarantee. Dealer has agreed to this. Personally if I was the only owner then I would keep her and resolve the issues ( if indeed they are resolvable) but I will not put an 11 year old girl at risk. I dont believe this horse is dangerous but she certaimly is unpredictable.

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Couldn't agree with you more. Aged 11 riding should be fun, your daughter shouldn't have to deal with a problem horse. And you as a parent most definitely don't want to fear and dread whenever she rides something so unpredictable.

As the horse came from a dealer let them fix her and you move on. If you wanted a problem horse I am sure you would have bought one.
 
Definitly the right decision and good that you can send back to the dealer for an exchange.

Just make sure the new horse is a good one, some times under these deals each horse you get is worse than the one before.


Eyes and ears open and I really hope you get a nice horse for the girl to have fun on and to help her confidence grow.
 
I think you're doing the right thing - when I was 9 my parents bought me a pony from the riding school I was at. When we took him home his personality changed hugely (I think due to change in workload etc) and he very quickly realised he could get me off. The owner of the riding school was unsympathetic, and we took him back there and had him on livery to see if it would help, but by then I'd started to lose my confidence, and the pony knew it.
It culminated in me getting thrown on the road and fracturing my skull, and completely losing my nerve. It took me a long time to get over the fractured skull, and even longer to get my nerve back.
The fact that you can exchange the horse with the dealer is a godsend imo - my advise would be to do it asap before your daughter starts to lose her confidence. Good luck with the hunt for a nice reliable horse too
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