I need help with my 16 year old thoroughbred!!

[Ando85]

Hi everyone hoping you can offer me some friendly advice. I have recently purchased my first horse and I am struggling with him.

With being a novice I decided to look for an older horse that would be easy going and happy hacking out alone or in company a couple of times a week. I thought that an older horse who had been there and done that would be a good starter for me.

I found a 16 year old thoroughbred who had a lovely temperement and seemed very laid back. His owner told me that he had quite an extensive racing background but that he had been with him for 8 years and had been a happy hacker and was well suited for a novice without being a plod. He hadn't been ridden for a year at no fault of his own and would need reschooling to be bought back into work but it wouldn't take long.

I was reluctant to buy him without rising him so I asked the owner if we could tack him up and see how he goes. He was brilliant I walked and trotted on him without any problems but I didn't want to canter with him being out of work.

I went ahead and bought him. I keep him at a busy yard but I have stuck to what he's used to living out with a companion and bring him into his box to groom or tack him up. I've hit a few problems with him at first he got very stressed in the box but we've overcome that by walking him all around the yard and the boxes so he gets used to his surroundings, also bringing him into his box for his feed.

Also he would refuse to walk on for me when leading him in and out of his field but I've found that I've changed my tone of voice and now he responds and doesn't mess. He would also refuse to pick up his feet for me to clean them and would kick out but again we've overcome that by me being more "boss" then "nice".

The main problem is riding him!! I have lunged him and he works perfectly listens to all my voice commands but as soon as I get on him and ask him to trot he wants to canter and starts kicking out and I'm left clinging onto him.I haven't even attempted to hack him out because when I did as soon as he saw the other horses he got way too excited and threw me off.

I haven't given up but when I get on him I start worrying that he's going to go and automatically tense up on him!!

Owner says this is out of character for him and I'm worrying it's me.

Also just to add he was very anxious in the school chomping down on the bit and after some advice I've put him on a calmer which has really calmed his nerves. His feed is one scoop of Mollichop and Speedibeet a day and three slices of hay same as what he has been on with previous owner.

What am I doing wrong? I can ride but this is knocking my confidence and I am doubting myself. I love this horse and he makes up for it by being as good as gold in every other way now we've overcome his other teething problems.

Please help!!

 

[hnmisty]

Have you had his teeth, back and saddle checked? They are always good starting points for problems like this

 

[Ando85]

Thank you!! Yes his teeth and back have been checked and they are fine. His saddle fits fine too and came with him 😥

 

[Hoofing-it]

Have you had his teeth, back and saddle checked? They are always good starting points for problems like this

Definitely- has anyone else ridden him since he's been with you? You state that you're a novice. Do you have anyone more experienced to hand who could put him through his paces so to speak - after checking out above suggestions of course!

 

[MadBlackLab]

TB are very sensitive and if he been in same home for 8 years he may be struggling with adjusting to a new home. Have you got an instructor who could come and give lessons and pointers?

 

[Zero00000]

Sounds very much like my TB mare,
She also struggles with new environments, gets very stressy in stables, plants her heels occasionally, can have a buck and a fart when coming back into work and gets overly excited when seeing other horses out on hacks.

She does settle eventually and then is the most loving horse,

I cant really help with advise though, ive had her 10yrs so I just know how to react to her and can feel the slightest different in her that others cant,
all I will say is just because the saddle came with him, doesn't mean it fits, and coming back into work he will start building muscle and changing shape x

 

[DreamingIsBelieving]

How long have you had him? It can take quite a while for horses to settle into new homes (and without being stereotypical, generally TBs do have a tendency to react badly to change!). Also, having loaned a 16 year old ex-racer, I've found that you can take the horse out of the race, but you can never take all of the race out of the horse! Could it be that coming back into work after time off, he's remembering more of his racehorse aids than his happy hacker aids?? I would assume his racehorse aids would be more ingrained in his memory since he learnt them at a younger age? If you're getting nervous riding him, tensing up, leaning forward and shortening your reins then you're basically giving him the cue to 'go!'. Also, what you say about him getting over-excited seeing other horses out hacking sounds rather 'racehorsey' as well. A good instructor would be able to see if this is the problem or not.

 

[Ando85]

Hi everybody thanks for your help. I have had him just over a month now. I agree it probably takes some horses a while to settle in and he is coping fantastic to his new surroundings. I'd say the last couple of weeks I've had a break through with him and he's really warming to me and starting to trust me.

I asked other people on the livery yard about his saddle and they all say it fits perfectly but I will take your advice and check with a saddle fitter.

The owner of the livery yard and another experienced horse owner have been so helpful. They've helped me lunge him and the owner of the yard is a riding instructor and I had a half an hour lesson with her on him today. It was her that pointed out I was tensing up and giving him the cue to go. We did some exercises today to help me loosen up with my legs and hands and it definitely helped but I still feel he's out of control and maybe I'm too much of a novice to handle him?!

He just starts throwing his head down and kicking with his back legs and goes so fast!! I half halt him and use steady voice commands and try my hardest to relax on him but I can't help but hold on for dear life lol!!

I haven't asked anyone else to ride him but I'm sure they would for me. I'm going to do weekly lessons on him with my instructor because it's a huge help!!

Everyone keeps telling me it'll take time. I just hope I'm not doing anything wrong?

 

[webble]

Have you tried doing ground work with him? Things like rein back turn on the fore hand etc are great for relaxing you both before you get on and establishing you as the boss

 

[TrasaM]

Give yourself and him time to settle. I've only recent began to realise just how emotional horses are. I did a Masterson Method session with a TB who is still racing but who'd only been in the new yard 3 weeks. They were having problems with him: tantrums and napping and generally uncooperative. I was expecting a fire breathing hyped up TB. What I found was a very unhappy horse who did have physical issues but within minutes of starting to work on him I could easily have burst out crying. The feeling of sadness he was giving off was almost overwhelming. I don't know why he was feeling like this only that he was miserable and finding life very hard. Maybe it was his new life and he was missing his previous yard or people or maybe he just didn't feel well. His groom told me afterwards that he made her feel the same each time she worked him. Maybe like is some of them fund change harder than others. Hope you manage to get past your nerves as this won't be helping him either. If he's worried about a new environment and then you get on and get tense he'll just be even more convinced that he's in danger and be reactive and spooky. and take care.

 

[Ando85]

Hi there thank you for your help yes me and the instructor did this with him today and it certainly helped. We are going to continue to over the next few weeks.

He had a lovely relationship with his previous owner and I can tell he misses him and he is sad. I will definitely give him time to settle in I just want advice so I can do the best by him.

I've eased him into things and took time to walk him around his new surroundings the yard, boxes school and nearby lanes.

I spend as much time with him as I can even just in his field talking to him I get the impression he likes that.

The last couple of weeks have been lovely as I can tell he's warmed to me.

He enjoys my company and he comes straight over to me now in his field where as at the beginning he'd just have his back to me and stand looking sad 😥

I try my hardest not to be nervous when excercising him but I came off him badly and hurt myself and finding it really hard. After today's lesson with my instructor I feel better as I was able to relax my hands and legs and immediately he relaxed too.

Is there anything more I can do to help him adjust to his new environment? I think with weekly lessons I will get more confident when riding him and learn to fit with him? 😊

I won't be giving up on him!!

 

[webble]

awwww you sound lovely OP

 

[TrasaM]

I think you're doing exactly the right thing and he will settle so try not to worry too much. As long as you've excluded pain and discomfort then it's all down to you and him building on your partnership and him learning that he can rely on you to help him through the scary bits.
I look forward to reading you're next thread where you tell us about how well everything is going x

 

[Hoofing-it]

Good luck- I'm interested to know how you get on as I plan on rehoming a racehorse in the near future. Best wishes.

 

[DreamingIsBelieving]

A month isn't very long at all and it sounds like you've come a long way with him on the ground in that time. It sounds like you're taking all the right steps to improving your ridden partnership with him as well. Definitely carry on with the lessons for a while and see how that goes. It may also be helpful for you to get the opportunity to ride a more placid, easy-going horse every now and again just to help maintain your overall confidence as a rider while you're going though what is hopefully just a 'sticky patch'. I'd definitely persevere wit him for the time being. Could it simply be that he's not the sort you're used to riding, and therefore you may find that you simply need to learn how to ride a more forward-going, speedy horse. I know that when I first rode a non-riding-school horse (that also happened to be the 16 year old ex-racer I loaned) it was like having to learn to ride again, but it didn't take long for me to adapt my aids to suit her. I think if you're determined to make it work and if you keep having regular lessons then work it will!
It sounds to me like you may need to work on getting a balance between keeping him steady and giving him his head every once in a while. Maybe ask your instructor to get on him for a minute so you can observe how she rides him and how that may alter his way of going.

 

[Ando85]

Your totally right he's not the sort I'm used to riding. I thought I was a very capable rider and able to ride anything perhaps a little over confident tbh.

I have been used to riding school horses who have had the occasional spook and I've been able to stay on. Although I always rode the more forward going ones they were still school horses at the end of the day.

This had made me realise that I've still got a lot to learn as a rider but I am prepared to put in all the effort I can for him.

We are building a lovely partnership and I won't be giving up on him and will give him all the time he needs!! Hopefully my riding skills will improve an I'll learn to ride him the way I need to.

Thank you for all your advice and help and I will keep you all posted on our journey xx

 

[hnmisty]

OP, I'd try to find a recommended saddler (you could try posting in the regional board on here). I once had a "saddler" out to fit my pony. They were beyond incompetent and it was only because I have a sticky bum that I didn't end up in hospital up to my neck in plaster!

He sounds like he has landed on his feet with you

Good luck- I'm interested to know how you get on as I plan on rehoming a racehorse in the near future. Best wishes.

Want mine? I am planning on selling/loaning lol

 

[Ando85]

Aww thank you I will do that 😊 xx

 

[EmmyMD]

Sounds like he might be in pain. Also remember with an extensive racing history hea probably been with more trainers than I've had hot dinners, and new situations probably have a bit of an oh god here we go again.

Also make sure when you trot you aren't shortening your reins and tipping forwards at the same time as this probably means one thing to a conventionally trained racehorse.... GO!

 

[EmmyMD]

Also just a note on stress, if he raced on the flat he has probably had the most military of routines from about 6 months old. And a strict routine has probably been mimicked since, I can tell the time by my gelding! He knows
Exactly when he is meant to come in, get fed, get more hay etc. and I think it helps them cope with new environments.

Obviously check he is still sound, friends saying it looks fine is not the same as an equine dental technician or saddled or physio coming out.

 

[Ando85]

Hi there thanks for your reply. I stick with the same routine daily for him so he knows exactly where he is with me.

He has also had his teeth done and legs and back checked by a very competent equine vet. I will be finding a saddle fitter today so they can just check the fit of his saddle for me so we can rule everything out.

His last owner who had him for 8 years had his own stables and field and my tb had just been there with one other companion and his owner.

He was owned by another lady prior to this for a long time and before her he ws racing for 5 years. First run 2000 Last run 2005 31 flat runs in total had 4 wins, 5 seconds, 4 thirds & 1 fourth. Total prize money earned £18,626!! Obviously I didn't learn this until afterwards when I've looked into his racing history.

We think possibly coming back into a busy yard with all these other horses around him he thinks he's returned to racing and is remembering more of his racing routes. But you will be right bless him he has had different owners and he was so happy with his last owner!!

Hopefully we'll get there I will let you know what saddle fitter says xx

 

[luckyoldme]

Hi op i know exactly how you feel! Ihe sounds exactly like minr was. Its good that you have such good people around you. Try to imagine how this move has been for your horse. He has no way yet of knowing he is safe in his new home. Only a lot of time and fair handling can make him understand that. My advice is to just take steady slow steps towards your ultimate goal of hacking him out increasing your confidence in each other as you go.
its a very up and down battle but you will get therr and its worth it in thend

 

[Ando85]

Thank you I will give him as much time as he needs and take it nice and easy with him. I want to give him his forever home and to have a good relationship with him xx

 

[luckyoldme]

mine took about 6 months, but evan after that he just chilled out more and more. It was awful in the beginning but he is very settled and safe now, and has managed to endear himself to everyone he meets!

 

[Ando85]

Aww that's lovely to hear so hopefully my boy will settle with me 😊 xx

 

[katpower]

Hey Ando - do you know the One Rein Stop? One of the best riding tools you can have, especially with horses with uncertain brakes...
http://www.horseproblems.com.au/one_rein_stop_page.htm
Have a read through, give it a go. Basically, it means the horse can't run off, has to stop and think instead of just reacting brainlessly. If you practise this when you're training, it will come more automatically in an emergency - plus, the horse starts to respect your hands on the reins, and often the silly behaviour calms down a little without intervention.
It's saved my butt a lot with my silly TB - who likes a combination of spin/buck/run when stressed.

 

[Ando85]

Thank you that link was fab!! I will incorporate that into my training with him.

Just to keep you all posted the saddle fitter came out and his saddle fits beautifully so that rules that's out. I had an hours lesson with him yesterday and he was much better!! I felt in control of him throughout the whole lesson he didn't take off on me although he spun around, threw his head forward and bucked I remained on him and still made him trot on, in the end we were trotting perfectly 😊

I'm going to carry on perfecting our trot and then we will move onto canter.

I absolutely love this horse!! Thank you everyone will keep you updated on our progress xx

 

[TrasaM]

That's great news Ando. How very lovely that you feel this way about him. I look forward to hearing more about your adventures

 

[MadBlackLab]

So glad to see a positive update. Keep up the good work

 

[paddi22]

best of luck with him!
I second the poster who mentions the one rein stop. It really really helped with my exracer when he started getting hysterical.

It's taken me nearly two years to come right with my lad, we had a huge amounts of ups and downs, and at times he was completely unsafe to ride and i really though he was better pts at some stages, but we struggled through and he is actually going great now. I always adored him on the ground as he is a pet, but ridden he was just dangerous and I never could feel safe on him. There were three things that made it click for us finally i think -

- Longlining and groundwork
He was difficult to ride and he reared on a lot of trainers and riders, and even flipped. I worked with a great NH guy and we did tons of groundwork which helped. The long lining was brilliant. It meant I could get him out for walks without having to worry about his rearing or bucking, or me being nervous on him. If he napped I could safely work him through it, and it grew both our confidence. I also took the pressure off riding him and we went and did inhand shows and just enjoyed each others company with no pressure! He was always just so unsure of himself that if I got nervous at all in saddle then he just lost the plot completely. Stopping riding him allowed us both to get our confidence up with eachother, and when i got back I wasn't nervous at all as I really understood him and knew what way he needed me to ride. It's all very well pretending not to be nervous on him and doing stuff like breathing and singing to relax etc, but it's only when I truly felt in charge and that I could handle anything on him that his behaviour magically changed!

- Turning him out
I turned him out for six months, and just fed and did basic groundwork in the field, and he came back a different horse from it. Just more mature and relaxed. When he came back into stabling I cut out all sugar and starch from feed, and increased turnout and he was lovely and calm.

Tiny steps-
I had to learn to put aside and aims or goals I had, which was really hard as I love competing, and just go at his pace. His pace is generally at a crawl, so I was lucky that I could move to a cheaper yard and get a new cheap horse to ride in the meantime. That completely took the pressure off him and we went back to absolute baby steps. 5 mins in walk around the arena could turn into 5 mins plus a small trot, next day 10 mins. If he didn't seem comfortable with something I'd take a step back. He's very genuine and tries his heart out, so when he says 'non' its because mentally he can't handle it. It is slow progress but he is a million miles away from the nightmare he was and i actually enjoy riding him more now that my other one! He has taught me so much about riding and I have learnt so much from the experience.

Edit: also using an elastic bungee rein on him helps! Mine seems to use it like a kid uses a soother, he finds it comforting i think. It doesn't restrict his head, but if he gets stressed and raises it, the bungee seems to reassure him and he relaxs again! Also another thing that helped was to ride other horses. At one stage I thought i was the worst rider in the world as everytime we rode it was such a disaster, but riding other horses helped get my confidence back and show that it wasn't just me being cr¨p, it was just a difficult horse!