Mis sold or Me? Advice please

[deicinmerlyn]

He maybe deficient in minerals or have an ulcery gut from the move. Does he have salt and pre/probiotics? Brewers yeast/Yeasach is cheap and often helps.

 

[gunnergundog]

The dealer who sold him on behalf of the family seems to genuinely care about him and tells me its me and to sing and sit like a sack of spuds but if I am honest and after today with my experienced ( and much taller) friend riding him and him being worse, I actually think I ride him with confidence and pretty calmly.

The above is what stands out to me!

To an extent all horses do it, as in they will go differently for a different jockey, however there are also some that take adapting their way of going based on the level of rider skill to the Nth degree. What I am saying is that some suss out the jockey and if they think the jockey is up to it they go into 'competitive mode' (will jog, shy etc etc) and if they think the jockey isn't then they go into 'dope on a rope mode' in order to look after them. This could be what the dealer is trying to tell you.

Have you checked the dealer out on facebook on the Dodgy Dealers page? Ask if anyone knows him/her and if they get good reviews for basically being honest then I would put your experienced friend back on and tell her to ride like a sack of spuds, not knowing anything about horses. It's worth a try.

 

[Orangehorse]

In your circumstances, I would contact the seller and say that you will give him x time longer (not too long) and if there isn't a significant improvement he will have to go back. Your husband is dependent upon your care, you cannot risk any mishap, and the seller sounds as though she is concerned for the pony. In the meantime, would there be a share available that you could ride sometimes? Even a hunter livery yard, where they go out in a group and the horses are generally pretty well behaved as they are getting lots of work.

 

[laura_nash]

He is also hard to bridle, I am short and he is full up 14.2 so I have no chance if he sticks his head up. I am putting a bit of honey on his bit which is helping.

Has he had his teeth checked? It could just be a handling issue with the bridling but maybe worth checking, as tooth pain and tension in the poll can make a horse spookier.

 

[RhaLoulou]

Hi I really feel for the situation you are in. I would advise getting lessons and someone experienced to help.
I got a really good tip on bridling at a seminar the other day, lower the cheek piece a good few holes to make the bridle bigger then fasten it back up when it is back on. My new horse is a little bit difficult to bridle too and this tip has really helped us especially as I short and he is 15:3hh!

 

[LittleHoundDoggie]

Has he had his teeth checked? It could just be a handling issue with the bridling but maybe worth checking, as tooth pain and tension in the poll can make a horse spookier.

Yes, he has had his teeth checked. Honey on the bit and patience is working with this issue. Thanks for your help. Appreciated. xx

 

[Pearlsasinger]

What sort of chaff are you giving? If it is alfalfa, take him off it! Many horses react badly to alfalfa and behave wierdly when on it.

 

[LittleHoundDoggie]

Ive tried a couple, I will have a good look at the ingredients, I tried to get the plainest one possible. In my youth, you got just chopped hay!! The yard I was at chopped their own. He is in no way nasty or trying to get rid of me. He is scared and very green. I hacked him out with the YO in a forest and he did jump a couple of times but nothing major. He literally sees monsters everywhere now. When he leaps sideways or forwards, I sit quietly and just say "silly boy" or something. Small breakthrough yesterday, I had had a lesson the day before, in a strange menage but he feels comfortable in a menage so was fine. Instructor lead him to the gate ( with me onboard) and waited for a large lorry ( four arrived!!). He was terrified and tried to turn and run but she held on. When they passed he got a treat and praise.

Hacked through our village in company yesterday, in pub carpark ( didn't stop for drink!!). HUGE lorry came past and although he was poised to spin and run, he stayed still. I could kiss the lorry driver who went past us at about 5 mph, massive praise for him especially as he had had a major spook right outside our driveway.

I like him, he is a nice person and I'm not sure I can start looking again and then the bonding with a new horse. If I thought i could get him right then I would keep him.

Soooo, if a horse is unhandled until six, can he be brought on and made as bombproof as possible? I did it aged 11 with a young green pony. My dad bought him for me as he was going to market. They were totally non horsey so I had to go it alone. That was a very long time ago though.

 

[Orca]

Ive tried a couple, I will have a good look at the ingredients, I tried to get the plainest one possible. In my youth, you got just chopped hay!! The yard I was at chopped their own. He is in no way nasty or trying to get rid of me. He is scared and very green. I hacked him out with the YO in a forest and he did jump a couple of times but nothing major. He literally sees monsters everywhere now. When he leaps sideways or forwards, I sit quietly and just say "silly boy" or something. Small breakthrough yesterday, I had had a lesson the day before, in a strange menage but he feels comfortable in a menage so was fine. Instructor lead him to the gate ( with me onboard) and waited for a large lorry ( four arrived!!). He was terrified and tried to turn and run but she held on. When they passed he got a treat and praise.

Hacked through our village in company yesterday, in pub carpark ( didn't stop for drink!!). HUGE lorry came past and although he was poised to spin and run, he stayed still. I could kiss the lorry driver who went past us at about 5 mph, massive praise for him especially as he had had a major spook right outside our driveway.

I like him, he is a nice person and I'm not sure I can start looking again and then the bonding with a new horse. If I thought i could get him right then I would keep him.

Soooo, if a horse is unhandled until six, can he be brought on and made as bombproof as possible? I did it aged 11 with a young green pony. My dad bought him for me as he was going to market. They were totally non horsey so I had to go it alone. That was a very long time ago though.

My mare was unhandled until six (quite literally, not even halter broken!). Two months ago, she was nervy, flighty and untrusting (although she showed trust in me, which is part of why I bought her). Today we were playing hopscotch through puddles, watching a tractor start right next to us then drive away, walking within metres of a turbine, watching children run and play - all without any shying or threats to bolt (which is what would have happened back when I met her). Yes, if handled appropriately, six year olds (particularly six year olds who are nice people) can overcome their fears because most of these fears really are fears of the unknown. The more they see, the more they are supported though kindly and calmly, the more quickly they evolve into confident individuals.

 

[millikins]

Hi, good luck with your pony, I hope things go well. Just wanted to say we have a Connie who over reacts, have owned him for 9 years now and he hasn't changed, if anything startles him, dangerous sparrow, funny coloured leaf etc he leaps in the air, ready to run but never actually does. He is a great fun hack but not a very relaxing one.

 

[alliwantforchristmas]

"Yes, if handled appropriately, six year olds (particularly six year olds who are nice people) can overcome their fears because most of these fears really are fears of the unknown. The more they see, the more they are supported though kindly and calmly, the more quickly they evolve into confident individuals."
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...or-Me-Advice-please/page4#kA8Icq78cZWs4IDS.99


oh, yes, this, absolutely. Be kind and calm and advance in small steps. appreciate his fears are real (what's that saying now ... "the struggle is real ...") and just keep going with slow, gentle exposure, reward with food (if it doesn't make him nippy) or scratches and rest if you are at all worried about using food .. and it is tricky using food with horses for lots of reasons. Genuinely, and I am in no way linked to him commerically, have a look at Ben Hart on facebook and his shaping plans - they are really good for helping work through spooky behaviour. In a way you are in a better position than with a lot of six year olds - he has not been knackered/knocked about physically and you are working with a pretty blank canvas. Enjoy the process and breathe and have fun

 

[hayinamanger]

It sounds like you may have a had a confidence breakthrough after seeing your friend riding him, I hope you get to the other side of him.

The only thing I can add is re the bit, I really don't like Happy Mouths, never had a horse that liked them either, particularly straight bars.

Good luck.

 

[JulesRules]

If you are thinking of trying a different chaff without alfalfa, can I suggest Mollichaff Calmer in the yellow bag.

My spooky girl has been a changed character since I swapped her from an alfalfa based chaff

 

[SO1]

It could just be the move that is unsettling him. I have had my pony for over 8 years he is a good hacking pony, hacked out a lot on my own, moved yards after 6 years on the same yard. He changed he became worried about going even down the road 100 yards on his own and when hacking out wanted to be at the back. He also would start neighing if he got a bit left behind or got very strong desperate to catch up with horse in front. This was not his normal behaviour at all. It has taken nearly a year but he is now getting back to his normal confident self a couple of rides now he has been in front most of the way and I have been able to take him out on some shorter rides on his own as well. For him it was just getting to know the new rides and now he is more familiar with them he is confident again.

I do think people underestimate the effect moves can have on horses, having to get to know new field mates and also new rides without knowing how to get home again can be quite scary for them. They after all herd animals so being away from their normal herd mates and in a strange place could make them more alert and anxious.

 

[hairycob]

Have you tried getting a very confident friend/instructor to hack him out. If he is ok with them the chances are you are getting nervous & he is picking up on it making him more nervous. You may even find if that is the case that knowing makes you less nervous.

 

[Clodagh]

Have you tried getting a very confident friend/instructor to hack him out. If he is ok with them the chances are you are getting nervous & he is picking up on it making him more nervous. You may even find if that is the case that knowing makes you less nervous.

OP has tried that - he was worse!

 

[JDH01]

Sorry to hear you are finding what is supposed to be relaxing you so difficult when you have so much on your plate already. If it is any consolation even horses sold absolutely as seen can take months to settle, test you and even as an experienced owner make you wonder what you have bought. If you can and home allows keep going, it will be worth it.

 

[old hand]

I had a very bombproof horse that turned into a shying demon on Alfa A, stopped it and four days later he was plodding round on the buckle again. He took to galloping sideways up the road and leaping out of his skin at everything on Alpha A. Just didn't agree with him.

 

[Michen]

OP try the Hilton herbs supplement calm and collected. It has valerian in it (not compeition legal) and I had good results with it in the past.

 

[luckyoldme]

With my gelding i just took baby steps. Riding him has proved a risky business so i turned him away. I brought him in every day for a small feed a brush and a fuss and turned him out. I then decided the bridle issue needed sorted so concentrated on that. For a couple of weeks i just put the bridle on and walked him round the farm. Next to sort was the saddle, he would kick out while tightening the girth, so i made a big show of running my fingers underneath it to make sure he wasn t nipped. After a couple of weeks just in hand when i felt we were communicating well i moved onto lunging him in the school, and eventually got back on. I would just ride him round and had a few arguments with him about where he would and would nt go. Eventually i went back out on him again, the first thing i did was show him all the ways out and then turned and went home. As time progressed we eventually went on longer hacks. I thought i was the bees knees training my horse, but looking back he was just learning to trust me.The more i handled him the more confidence i got. I did use an australian stock saddle so i could sit the bucks and that was a great help. He is nearing full retirement now but he has been perfect for me. To this day he hates any changes in his routine and can give the impression he is a monster, but will settle quickly for anyone he knows. Im sure some horses are very sensative to change, some worse than others. i had some pretty bad days in the beginning when i really really detested him . i had waited 30 years dreaming of owning a horse and ended up with a bloody nightmare. thankfully he has turned out to be perfect for what i wanted .

 

[DuckToller]

I bought a little welsh sec A years ago. He completely went to pieces on me, and was so bad I turned him away and daughter went back to her old pony.

I got his last but one owner to come to see him and she was surprised at how spooky and genuinely terrified he was - anything would set him off including the noise of the manage surface! She said she didn't remember him being so spooky, but whether she had forgotten, or something had happened at the next home, or whether it was just the change of home, I will never know. In desperation I left him in the field for 3 months and then paid an older teenager to ride him. Eventually he calmed down enough for my daughter, but he was always spooky and it was genuine fear, not naughtiness.

I often semi-joke that he had an equine nervous breakdown when he came to us - he just couldn't cope with a new home. He was never the pony my daughter wanted, but he did become a firm favourite with other children as he became older and wiser - he never bucked or bolted, and would canter beautifully round a 20 acre field with a child on board, but he would then spook at a sparrow in the hedge and the child would be sat on the floor wondering what happened. I couldn't sell him as I felt he would go to pieces again, but eventually I ran out of jockeys for him and let him go on loan, with his best friend on loan too, to ease him into the new environment. And he has coped brilliantly but he is now of course quite elderly.

He always took a large part of his confidence from the rider - a larger rider with long legs made him feel safe and controlled, whereas a little dot balanced on top terrified him at first - he was only 12.1 so should have been used to little riders but in fact both his previous riders were tall long-legged types so maybe my daughter just didn't give him the warm leg hug that he needed to feel safe.

If you don't want to part with him, maybe give yourself a break and try again with him once the weather has warmed up - this is the worst time of year to be riding a new horse, and as others have said, you have other priorities.

 

[Starbuck]

I bought a horse, no vices, reasonable coat, lazy in the school. Told he was a great hack. Beautiful nature. Got him home and he was exceptionally behaved in the school, although seemed to have a slightly odd action on one side. Spooky as hell out hacking and it got worse- jolted me every which way.

I asked my old vet to take a look and he said although the obvious signs are not present, I suspect an ulcer (he hadn't had a lot of grass or turnout) . Had him scoped and it turned out he had some pretty horrible grade 3 ulcers. The spooking was response to pain and some had bled.

He had treatment off the vet and turned into the best, safest hack. He would go past any traffic, wouldn't shy at leaves, plastic bags etc. In fact he ended up better hacking alone rather than in company. Safest horse I had ever hacked out on. Just a thought and something to check if you keep this little fella.