How can I handle my spooky/sharp horse?

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I have just got a Horse on part loan, he is very sharp when I ride him and I'm struggling with him a bit, he also spooks too and sometimes the odd buck. If I could have some advice on maybe trying to get him to settle a bit or If I may need to change how I ride then I would be very greatful. Thank you! :) xxx
 
The best advice should come from his owner, ask how she rides him or is he always the same with her. He may just be testing you, sensing that you are unsure, a few lessons to get to know him may help or riding out with someone else on a sensible horse that gives you both confidence.
 
Check if this is a new thing or if he does it with the other owner too. Make sure his feed isn't heating him up? And you could try lungeing him to get rid of some excess energy before riding.
But yes, he may just be trying you out. Don't let him scare you though! :)
 
We had a 17hh TB who spooked in a school and his rider broke her back, we took him and he had a couple of riders off through spooking.
We knew he was bored with us, so sold him to a young lady who wanted to jump/get out and about, we were honest about him, his work load has increased a 100 fold and the spooking has stopped.
Try giving him something to think about and make him work for a living.
Good luck
 
I have a big 17.1hh who can be a real pain and really spooky. The way I used to deal with this is lunge or school for at least 15 minutes before we went out so he had to think and also blow off some steam. To begin with I'd also ALWAYS ride out with someone else, no exceptions.

Hopefully it'll get better!
 
Like others have said check first this is normal behaviour for him.
I would say lung, lunge, lunge before riding him. A good 25 minutes of lunging never goes amiss with a sharp horse. I used to ride a very giddy 14.2 and every time without fail I would lunge her until she was breaking sweat. It calmed her down one hell of a lot and taken all the naughtiness out of her like a treat :D

Otherwise if he just trying it on, be firm. If he's being giddy when handled a good tug on the leadrope and a firm "no" will once again not go amiss.
I find being assertive with new horses is a must on my list. Show him who is in control, try booking some lessons like said above. He may just be getting to know you and trying it on as my old horse would throw anyone else off who got on her.

Good luck (-:
 
I'd also check his behaviour out with owner. Check feed is low starch low sugar and high fibre (ie not a mix is a good start!!). Also consider heAyers be in pain. When was saddle last checked or chiro or dentist Came out? What state r feet in?
 
Thanks everyone for the great advice :). He is being like this with his other owner and he doesn't get given a feed because he's quite porky anyway. I reckon I should try the lunging a see how we both get on. I will also have another word with him own :)
 
Just a thought, but my mares.behaviour is worse with no feed.Also if no feed then might mean he is efficient in a vital or.mineral which could make behaviour worse too! My horse is a good doer some doesn't get a lot. Small scoop of Oat straw chaff, vits and mins, and quick beat (as low sugar). I find she is Mmuch better when she think she has been fed properly!! Lol!! If only eating grass then sugar on diet likely to be high until winter, topping up with high fibre (soaked hay or small feed) really could make a difference.

Another thought as this happened to my horse the other day is how do u ride? If u don't use ur legs properly on either of my mares and use Irish hands too much or to heavy then then can b very Sharpe and mess about, founding any excuse to spooke!!
Hope ubhet things resolved. X
 
Agree with waltzing Matilda. You could give a small amount of fast fibre with some mag in it to see if that helps. I find that I am more jumpy and sensitive to things when I haven't eaten too.
 
the change in home can have a big impact, each horse takes a different length of time to settle. How long have you had him now, when did he move over to you? Did you change his feed? Have you changed to haylage from hay or vice versa? Did he get any supplements with his owner - are there any you should get for him? Did he live for a long time at his previous yard? Was it a quiet peaceful location or a busy yard? What is your new place like? quiet / busy? Has his workload increased / decreased? All these things can have an impact.

Someone mentioned Fast Fibre - it's by Allen & Page, it is a very good feed, mine gets it as well. It is low in sugars and starch and is good for anxious types. Mine gets 2kg/day + water to soak it.

There are a couple of things you can get to help him settle...one is Valerian - (not comp legal, so only use if you are not going to a comp within 24 hours - it takes 24 hours to be eliminated from their systems.).

Hilton Herbs do a herbal mix with Valerian.

Also there is a product called Clop - it is linseed with Valerian, here it is: http://www.animalmedicationdirect.co.uk/clop-liquid-calmer-for-horses-1litre-pr-3955.html

James Hart does one as well - Valerian Calm - http://www.jameshartequine.com/valerian.html

Valerian is great for short-term use on an anxious horse to help them deal with change / moving home etc. I've used it, it DOES work. You can give 30ml of Clop half an hour before riding and you will see a difference.

Also, lungeing is always good for a horse that is prone to anxiety & spooking. Make sure he is getting enough work.

I've recently started adding Brewers yeast to mine's feed - it has a 50ml/day loading dose for a week, then 25ml/day after that. It helps him to be calmer as well.

Keep your inside leg on at all times, as a preventative measure to stop him from spooking outwards into the school, be prepared to give a fast pony club kick with the inside leg if he even thinks about spooking - let him know you won't accept it. If you do this consistently, he should start to realise he can't take the mick...

Good luck, stick with it!
 
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