I DONT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN, PLEASE HELP ME

guido16 said:
Sorry, but if this horse already needs reschooling, someone who cannot long rein should not be learning to do so with him! This will just create a mountain more problems.

Long reining is nothing to do with "dominating" a horse!
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ah, but if she doesn't do it herself, some rough body will ride him into the ground. ;)
 
Martlin,

Now I know where I went wrong when I worked as one of those "roughnecks" for 6 years......I should of dominated the horses.....what a fool I am!
 
I am thinking that a horse who is a bit 'wild ' in the school and someone who canot long rien is a recipe for disaster.
This horse does not sound as though he needs dominating he needs to learn the the school means calmness and gentle control and giving up his energy levels to the control of the rider.
 
Goldenstar said:
I am thinking that a horse who is a bit 'wild ' in the school and someone who canot long rien is a recipe for disaster.
This horse does not sound as though he needs dominating he needs to learn the the school means calmness and gentle control and giving up his energy levels to the control of the rider.
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If there was a 'Like' button I'd have clicked it!

This is the approach I've taken. We've had a few iffy moments but on the whole he's learning. It'll take a while though I'd say.
 
Yeah I have done LOADS of lunging, and at the start he was really fizzy, but he now listens to me and he's amazing on the lunge, I dont use a lunge whip as he freaks out, he slows when I ask him, stops when I say WHOA. and Trots and canters just simply when I ask him to. I may get him reschooled. I dont want to sell him, as the he ended up at a dealers before and I dont want him to have a similar fate, as he is a good boy. I want to bear it. And to Golden Balls, you don't need to tell me I don't know the basics, I know how to ride and how to school, I just dont understand this problem which is why I am asking, not be insulted by someone who obviously feels the need to push himself up. I ride by feel and have learnt from the responses of the horse. Yes I dont know the fancy lingo and everything, but I have a good heart and I can connect well with my horse, and I know how to deal with horses mostly, but I seem to be running into problems with this one. I want to do whats best for him, and I dont want to give up on him. He hated hunting, and he was so sad in the sellers yard, his eyes were sad, and he is so much happier now. The last guy used to kick him in the stomach.
 
I agree that the horse needs a skilled professional to reschool him. I had a similar horse a few years ago. A ten year old ex pointer who had only ever raced and hunted. Like yours he would bolt in the school. I managed to reschool him into a really flashy dressage horse, but found out I was one of only three people who could ride him. When I tried to find a sharer he bolted with the two people who tried him. Both fell off and one dislocated her shoulder and broke her arm. Yet I could get on him and he was an angel (once I had reschooled him). He also went well for one of my liveries and my sister, but anyone else - he would bolt. What I am saying is that these kinds of horses need a professional to school them who has very 'good hands'. So not at all rough! Anyone who is rough should not be a professional horse person. If you have not had experience in retraining ex hunters or racers before, then this is not a job for you. You need help.
 
OP I think it would be well worth finding out a bit more about his history first hand, so try contacting the previous owners. You may get useful information or even some help sorting him out, you may not but it is worth a try. Even a hint as to what bit he hunted in and what feed he was on would help. Alternatively you may find that you have been had and the horse has been mis-sold but at least you know.

If he genuinely was a good hunter it might be worth seeing if you can get an experienced person to take him hunting. It maybe that the best thing is for him to have that kind of life that he is used to. Good hunters command good prices and are well appreciated so it wouldn't be a bad thing for him.

If you are determined to keep him, or if there is a reason he can't hunt anymore then you need some help reschooling him. I would look for an instructor who will ride him if necessary but will also give you lessons on him. Preferably get someone who has experience of difficult or problem horses rather than someone who deals mainly with higher level competition horses or riding school clients, look for someone who has experience of reschooling racehorses or working on a dealers yard or breaking yard, the kind of person who won't be fazed by his antics, they need not be heavy handed or rough.

Make sure you are 100% sure he isn't suffering from any condition which may cause him pain or discomfort. Tracing his history could bring things to light on this front too.
 
I agree with the previous posters you need to either get professional help to start him again from scratch or sell this horse as a hunter only. You need to view him as a totally green 4 yr old that has just been backed but not yet been schooled.

Cut his feed to the basics you don't want him brimming with pent up energy. You need to long rein him in a safe environment i.e. a school with 4 solid walls and full doors so he can't get out. Start long reining on a circle before you try anything else. If he goes to run on a set of long reins turn him in to the wall - he'll get the idea. Bear in mind that when long reining a strong horse you often need a stronger bit than that which you ride in as the contact will be heavier.

If when he sets off with you ridden he has his head in the air then you need something to stop him getting his head up, but don't strap him in and ride him until he has been long reined/lunged with the tack on as they can hit the pressure panic and rear if they are not used to it. Our youngsters are always long reined/lunged with their heads in if they are to be schooled in draw reins or a market harb. You can play around a with bits while long reining and think about shape don't get fixed on the traditional snaffles are mild mind set. A single jointed bit is harsh for a horse with a big tongue & low palate, they will often throw their head/snatch/get hold and run to avoid it. Don't risk your neck experimenting with bits ridden when you can long rein and get an idea first.

I still long rein my horses even after they are broken to ensure they are confident on their own and compliant. It will often help with horses that are rude on the ground as it shows them you can and will demand respect so it is for all round behaviour not just riding.

It will take a long time to have this horse to 100% so ask yourself honestly are you willing to put in the work and get the professional back up you'll need or should you buy a horse that has been broken and schooled to do your job rather than somebody elses.
 
guido16 said:
Not being rude, by how do you know he hated hunting?
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Sounds like he liked his job so well that's why he fancies doing it again now! A forward, jump anything horse is obviously naturally lending itself to a certain job :) maybe it's not the same job that you want..?
 
Lungeing is a good idea he needs to know that wooo means STOP! LOL.

This gets him use to your voice comand's and its amzeing how much discipline and respect for you he can learn from this.
 
OP, I'm quite concerned that you assume that if you send him away for schooling he will be treated roughly - you make it sound as if you're the only one you'd trust to ride him and everyone else would beat him! I think you need to do some research locally - maybe even start with a post on here asking for recommendations and find out what professionals are avialable locally to take the horse for maybe 4 weeks and see if they can give a basic grounding and nip the situation in the bud. A good yard will not only treat your horse well and tailor his schooling to him but they should be able to give you lessons on him as they work and keep you updated on his progress and discuss it with you. There are several professionals I can think of where I would be more than happy to send my horse - and I'm damn sure they'd ride him and school him a heck of a lot better than me!
 
OP unless you are an experianced hunter and have ridden him to hounds you can't possibly say he hates hunting .
You are running into trouble because you do not have the skill and experiance to retrain this horse without the correct help.
You have a four year old child you need to wise up and get help now.
I fear the reason you don't know 'the fancy lingo is that your basics are not in place as well as the horses.
 
Why don't you just try riding him in a different bit? Sorry if that sounds simple? The chances are, out hunting he would have been in a pelham, gag or double.
Worth a shot?
If he will listen in a stronger bit you can then build some confidence with him.
If he doesn't like a running martingale try a standing , there is a lot of anti standing martingales but some horses don't like the 'bounce' a running can have on the reins. A standing, correctly fitted, might just help with his balance.
 
You poor thing, that is a horrible feeling you are having, several years ago, I had a little 3/4 TB, 1/4 Arab ginger horse, I bought him as a just 4 year old. He was exceptionally sharp and due to the nature of my job I was unable to give him the hard work which he craved for, it took me 2 years, a couple of bad falls (still have problems with my back now) before I realised that he was just not for me. I sold him to an exceptionally good horseman who stands several stallions and he hunted him quite hard, it was the perfect home for my ginger horse he craved hard work and was a perfect, mannerly hunter.

The point of my little story is that sometimes it is best to cut your losses before either of you get a serious injury, as your horse is older than mine was sometimes the safest thing is to cut your losses if you can't see a safe way forward and as someone else suggested, contact the local hunts and see if they are interested in taking him on like I did.

Good Luck
 
I know you are nervous of sending him away to be reschooled so why not get an instructor to your yard to give you a few lessons - explain the problem on the phone first and chat to them to see if you are suited to each other. Make sure they are prepared to ride him themselves if possible so they can get a good idea of him and possibly ask if they can hack out with you. If you definately dont want an instructor, you are going to have to sort out his brakes asap. many hunters go in a pelham or gag - if he is holding his head high cheltenham gag is not for him.

I hunted my gelding a few times and this has made him VERY forward hacking on his own - I ride in a Cheltenham Gag as otherwise I would have no hope of holding him - it is sheer excitment - the horses I have seen hunting LOVE it - they will keep going all day of their own accord. Also remember that if he hunted this season he will be very very fit.

See what he is like hacking with a couple of other horses - it may be that the only time he has hacked on his own will be to hack back to the trailer at the end of the days hunting - or possibly to hack to the meet ! He may well be looking for the "field" (the other horses) around every corner.

Do not persist on your own you WILL get hurt !

Good luck
 
Hollylouise, you're in the same rough area as Nat Dixon, I would really recommend you book a session with her. She really knows her stuff and is ace at producing, she would give you a no-nonsense assessment of where to go from here, if the horse can be helped then she will be able to do something. To be honest this horse sounds like he needs an awful lot of work to turn around, and he's not all that safe by any means. If you want Nat's number pm me. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
 
Bubbles said:
Hollylouise, you're in the same rough area as Nat Dixon, I would really recommend you book a session with her. She really knows her stuff and is ace at producing, she would give you a no-nonsense assessment of where to go from here, if the horse can be helped then she will be able to do something. To be honest this horse sounds like he needs an awful lot of work to turn around, and he's not all that safe by any means. If you want Nat's number pm me. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
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This sounds like a good starting point
 
charlie76 said:
Why don't you just try riding him in a different bit? Sorry if that sounds simple? The chances are, out hunting he would have been in a pelham, gag or double.
Worth a shot?
If he will listen in a stronger bit you can then build some confidence with him.
If he doesn't like a running martingale try a standing , there is a lot of anti standing martingales but some horses don't like the 'bounce' a running can have on the reins. A standing, correctly fitted, might just help with his balance.
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Agreed. My first thought while reading this was "why doesn't it have a standing on" :cool:

I reckon, as others say, you need guidance from a good instructor, or to send the horse for reschooling by a competent professional.

If you're not willing to do that, you'd be better to resell [honestly/ as a hunter] before you or the horse end up injured.
 
Hi OP im sorry youre having problems with this horse, but from your opening post,as he is, this clearly isnt the horse for you.
As others before me have said, carrying on as you are, you are doomed to disaster. Can i ask if you had this horse vetted and if so did you have bloods taken and kept for instances like this ?
First i think you need to look at how much youre prepared to spend to educate this horse, as reschooling is not cheap
I think he's probably 100% on a hunting field and will jump whatever is in his path and be a bit of a forward going jumping machine, sadly this isnt what you want from him, but he may suit someone else if you decide to sell.
TBH from your post and replies, i personally dont think you have the skills to work this horse through his issues.
Please do some research and find someone who is close to you who is good at reschooling and producing horses, you can the visit every day and watch him worked. I am pretty sure folks on here can help you find someone.
If the person you bought him from is a dealer, you may be able to get your money back as he's clearly not 100% all rounder.
I wouldnt rush to put a bigger bit in his mouth until you have had him assessed and discussed this with a pro, my fear being if he is so sensitive, and the fact hes running back, you might inadvertantly send him up if he cant go forward.
Youre doing the right thing seeking help, and the sooner the better for you both
 
Hi there. Its very frustrating and worrying when this type of thing happens. My advice would be to look at feed, give NOTHING that is heating. Hay instead of haylage and plenty of it and find yourself a sympathetic and knowledgeable instructor. One that will ride him for you as well. I had lots of 'issues' when I first go T and the lady that I have came out, watched me ride him, got on him herself and then knew how to help me. It works for us. Also look at bits etc. It may well be that the snaffle does not suit him. Good luck :)
 
What are the circumstances that led you to buy this horse to begin with? Why did you choose him? How many times did you ride him before buying and in what situations? Did you ride him in a school/arena, in an open field, over walls/xc fences, over SJ fences, hack him on the road, ride him in a group situation as well as solo? If the answer is yes, then how did he perform then? Did you get a 2nd opinion before purchasing him & get someone more experienced to ride him

To be honest, it sounds like he is not the horse for you - hence why I wonder you bought him? Why go for an ex-hunter to begin with & what do you want from this horse or any horse in particular? It is possible that this is horse is suitable for every type of discipline, but perhaps not with you? Honestly, unless you are prepared to spend a long time and money re-training him, I would look to send him back or sell him on.
 
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