I need help ..

[ruby92]

Apologies now for long post..

Edit ** hes not on hard feed at the moment lives out in a big pasture

Had my new horse 8 weeks hes a ex racehorse out of training 4 years been used as a fun horse .. when I tried him he was calm relaxed everything I wanted .. fast forward 8 weeks and I have to ride him everyday because he's too fresh my partner has to ride him for me first .. if he has a day off I get on and he just wants to be off starts very tense I give him is rein so he's got time to settle and relax soon as I gradually take up a rein he starts like tonight a horse walked past and he planted put his head up I asked him to walk forward and he started throwing his head around and dancing on the spot .. if my partner rides him first and then I get on he's fine and rideable my partner is experienced with thoroughbreds however I struggle with them now im getting older and struggle with joint problems to hold them if they get over strong or fresh .. but I want to be able to ride him on my own and have fun .. he currently has a new saddle teeth are up to date and I did have his back checked 3 weeks ago he's in a d ring snaffle any suggestions would be appreciated
Thank you

 

[Squeak]

Have you tried contacting the old owners? If he was ok when you tried him it might be worth picking their brains.

 

[ruby92]

Have you tried contacting the old owners? If he was ok when you tried him it might be worth picking their brains.

I have i even sent them a video of him when he's first ridden she replied that he's probably settling in but he looks lovely and collected ?

 

[BSL2]

Spring grass could be having an effect. 8 weeks, maybe testing boundries. If all health/ tack checks done. Find a good instructor and bring in a little discipline through schooling as well as hacking. I see you say teeth are up to date. If not done very recently, I'd have checked again. Did new saddle come with him, or fitted by professional fitter arranged by you. Wouldn't hurt to check fit, if not bought by yourself. (May have changed shape if on grass 24/7) Still very early days for both of you. Relationships with horses take time. Find a good trainer they can help enormously. X

 

[canteron]

Maybe have a look at some ground work so you can get the horse thinking before you get on - and without always needing your partner.
Lots out there, but TRT has some interesting ‘patterns’ you teach on the ground and then take into the ridden work to give you a few more tools to manage the horse.

 

[McGrools]

Hi, not wishing to be negative but ex racers do tend to be prone to kissing spine. If he was mine I’d get his back exrayed before going down any other investigative avenues. ? wishing you luck.

 

[spotty_pony]

Have you tried lungeing before you get on?

 

[ruby92]

Have you tried lungeing before you get on?

Yes doesn't really help

 

[spotty_pony]

Hmm I wonder if he could be acting off your apprehension... maybe have some lessons with him go build confidence?

 

[Trouper]

TBs are very sensitive and intelligent. He's in a new place and trying to find his place and settle in. For me, your comment that he is OK with your partner tells me that he is picking up on your anxiety and it is making him feel insecure. I am not saying this in any critical way - I was the same with my first ex-racer.
If you are completely satisfied that there are no physical reasons for his behaviour then I think it is a case of "fake it till you make it" with your confidence and an instructor can certainly help with that. I know you have tried lungeing but with a new TB I would be doing lots of groundwork exercises with him to establish a good firm relationship and ensure he is listening to you. There are countless books on groundwork exercises to get some ideas.
One final point - do remember that taking up the reins with an ex-racer means "go" and relaxing them means chill out - a fact I wish I had known when I first had mine!!!!!

 

[stormox]

I wouldnt want my horse to 'look nice and collected'!!! I would want my horse to stretch down over his back and neck.
Are you riding on too short a rein? Try and let him relax and walk out on a loose rein.
If he was ok before, and ok with your partner now I suspect the problem is the way you are riding him.
How about getting some lessons for you and your horse with an experienced instructor who is used to TB types?

 

[ruby92]

TBs are very sensitive and intelligent. He's in a new place and trying to find his place and settle in. For me, your comment that he is OK with your partner tells me that he is picking up on your anxiety and it is making him feel insecure. I am not saying this in any critical way - I was the same with my first ex-racer.
If you are completely satisfied that there are no physical reasons for his behaviour then I think it is a case of "fake it till you make it" with your confidence and an instructor can certainly help with that. I know you have tried lungeing but with a new TB I would be doing lots of groundwork exercises with him to establish a good firm relationship and ensure he is listening to you. There are countless books on groundwork exercises to get some ideas.
One final point - do remember that taking up the reins with an ex-racer means "go" and relaxing them means chill out - a fact I wish I had known when I first had mine!!!!!

I think its the fact my partner understands thoroughbreds and racehorses and ex racehorses in general with him been a jockey and riding them out everyday .. I know I will get there was just looking for help and advice for the road ahead

 

[Annagain]

Have you tried calming cookies? I haven't used them myself but had reports from people I know wouldn't be swayed by a placebo effect who say they're very good. Even if it is a placebo effect, it can't hurt.

 

[Carrottom]

It could be the spring grass making him fresh. Mine had a few silly moments last week. If possible I find it best to put him to work, trotting circles works best for me until he relaxes and puts his brain back between his ears. If the situation is dangerous, on the road for example, I just get off, lead for a bit and get back on.
I find tbs take a few months to settle in a new home. Racing folk don't notice this as they are experienced in handling them so just get on with it regardless.

 

[Birker2020]

Apologies now for long post..

Edit ** hes not on hard feed at the moment lives out in a big pasture

Had my new horse 8 weeks hes a ex racehorse out of training 4 years been used as a fun horse .. when I tried him he was calm relaxed everything I wanted .. fast forward 8 weeks and I have to ride him everyday because he's too fresh my partner has to ride him for me first .. if he has a day off I get on and he just wants to be off starts very tense I give him is rein so he's got time to settle and relax soon as I gradually take up a rein he starts like tonight a horse walked past and he planted put his head up I asked him to walk forward and he started throwing his head around and dancing on the spot .. if my partner rides him first and then I get on he's fine and rideable my partner is experienced with thoroughbreds however I struggle with them now im getting older and struggle with joint problems to hold them if they get over strong or fresh .. but I want to be able to ride him on my own and have fun .. he currently has a new saddle teeth are up to date and I did have his back checked 3 weeks ago he's in a d ring snaffle any suggestions would be appreciated
Thank you

Has he got gradually worse or is this a sudden thing? What was he like after the first couple of weeks with you for example?

 

[ruby92]

Has he got gradually worse or is this a sudden thing? What was he like after the first couple of weeks with you for example?

Sudden

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Prior to buying the horse did you have him vetted & if so did the vet take a blood sample? If he did then get the sample analysed & you will know if the horse was given anything to keep it nice & calm when you went to try the horse. If it turns out there is something in the sample that shouldn't be there you are in a strong position.