losing confidence with difficult TB - I need help!(long, and rambling, sorry!)

A lot of ex racers are like that. After all they are just trained to run, schooling in an arena is completly different, they need patient handling and can take a great deal of time to get over their problems.
After pain has been ruled out, i'd defo get a sharer to do some work when you can't
 
I really sympathise with the issues you are having, it's no joke when your own horse is frightening you! I have had similar issues at times with my ex racer although thankfully they haven't escallated to the extremes you are having.
From my experience with my boy when I began to lunge him he was an absolute a**e! He would turn in towards me and be very threatening and then buck towards me. Once he took off around the school pulling me with him then just circled around me at what felt like flat out. Tbh at that stage it took every ounce of bravery for me to compose myself and get him to stop. I then had a firm talking to from my yo who told me that he was doing what he liked and didn't think that I had what it took to stand up to him. (basically taking the p**s!) You need to assert yourself (easier said than done I know) But he needs to know that you are his leader and he must do as you ask, not what he pleases. Take some control back, work with him on the ground moving him around you away from you etc. Be positive not agressive as I know with my lad that won't work at all. When lunging wear your hat and gloves and be strong. Use a lunge whip to keep him out and away from you but keep him moving forward at walk and trot. Keep to just walk and trot to keep him calmer and focused on work. Set yourself small goals, this week work on getting some control back next week get him lunging nicely, then maybe move on to riding after lunging. I'm sure some of this has been said already (I skimmed through previous threads!) but this really has helped me feel so much better about the relationship I have with my lad. We also had quite a rocky start but we getting on so much better now allthough I know I still have further to go. Good luck with your lad. Don't give up, have faith in yourself.
 
thanks again guys, I feel like its come to a head and its make or break time - I need to find a way to move forwards or walk away before my confidence goes completely - It took me ages to type that, I find the idea of giving up too difficult to get my head around.

So onwards and upwards - vet is coming out this week, and going to give full MOT, check back, teeth etc, if all clear, I will have saddle rechecked.... and I have had an offer from one of you lovely lot to help so will be taking that up and very much looking forward to having a hacking buddy :) - I think its the support that Im lacking, so feeling much more positive - thank you all for your comments, please keep them coming if you have any more suggestions/ideas. xx
 
shysmum said:
your safety has to be the number one priority. My last horse was a rearer at first, and it was scary, hard work, BUT very rewarding in the end. How he never got me off, I'll never know. I'm so sorry it's not getting sorted, (((((((hugs))))) sm x
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Yes, mine was as well. Very rewarding in the end but not much fun at the time.
 
I currently have an ex racehorse 4 y/o who has been off the track now 1 year. She is a star now and we are competing in small competitions and she is more forward going that some hunters we come across, but for the first 6 months i hated riding her simply because she was a typical ex racehorse coming out of being racing fit, female, young, nervous and thoroughbred. So the first thing i did was take her off hard feed completely fed her Molichaff calmer and hay ad-lib and turned her out as much as possible, when i rode her we didnt just hack we trotted and did figure 8's and we cantered collected and did figure 8's so she had no excess energy to use on me. Hacking was a reward once a week for being good. Now that i have retrained her mind i can do anything with her incl lead others on a hack, have other horses galloping around me and i couldnt ask for a nice TB to own. Try to ignore the horror stories as they will just make you more nervous but certainly change feed and turn out first. Just talking to the horse 9/10 times gives it confidence when you feel it is going to get silly. GOOD LUCK
 
I think you're doing the right thing getting the Vet out to rule out any pain issues. (particularly ulcers and back issues/saddle fitting) Having him out as much as possible will help and feeding mag ox with some speedibeet or a handful of chaff and as much forage as he can have.

If it were me I would seriously think about moving to a yard where you can have some help and not hack out at all unless you have a foot soldier or a calm nanny horse.

I feel lunging him too much will just make him fitter and from experience TB's don't normally get 'worn out'.

Ground work and inhand stuff while you're waiting for the Vet would be a good idea.

good luck, it's a horrible situation to be in and your safety must come first.
 
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