My 12yr old bombproof cob threw my friend off

laura_nash said:
Nonsense!! My cob is often roughed off all winter and has frequently had periods off of longer than that (e.g. when I was pregnant). Horses don't actually require riding to stay healthy you know, providing you don't shut them up in stables or pocket-sized pens of course.

My experience is limited to riding schools and shelters i've worked at, so naturally I don't have as much experience. I was completely under the impression that horses needed exercise as consistently as they'd had it before- but of course, speaking from limited experience. It made sense to my naive brain that a horse who is kept on her own needs more exercise than once every few months.
My bad :) Lesson learned!
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I urge you to get help from a reputable, qualified instructor. As a novice, it is a recipe for a nasty accident and the potential for this horse to end up with a nasty injury. Why on Earth would you think that it is appropriate to lunge a horse which will be very unfit then ride it in an open field after only being ridden a handful of times in 6 months?! This horse needs to be brought back into work slowly, not thrown straight in to being lunged and cantered in a field. No wonder she chucked your friend off! I own a cob who could be described as an equine paragon of virtue HOWEVER, if for whatever reason she had to have any time off/I cut back on my riding, she would undoubtedly turn.

I would say that riding at a riding school would be more suitable for you at the moment in all fairness.
 
At 12 years old she is an established horse so won't need riding everyday. She wasn't on box rest either so I feel the advice to walk only for weeks is a bit over cautious, although it seems OP that what you want would be an occasional sedate stroll around the block anyway. There is nowt wrong with that as long as horse gets plenty of turnout in a large field. Do get a good instructor and they might advise you if saddle needs looked at and ride her a little for you before you get back on. It is impossible to say why she bucked over the internet, might be discomfort, might be feeling fresh or that your friend was asking too much (perhaps riding in an outline?).
 
I agree with lots that has already been mentioned, such as getting an instructor and the horse's fitness.

I reckon that a buck doesn't mean not bombproof... to me, the definition of bombproof means the horse doesn't react to anything in their environment that would cause another horse to look/shy/spook or behave in an undesirable way... doesn't mean they won't react to their rider and throw in a buck if you use your leg too strongly or as a pain response.

I also feel bad for this horse who has only been kept with sheep for 7 months and not had any horsey company :( my horse would never be happy with just a view of other horses, he is incredibly social and loves to play, groom and hang out with his friends.
 
Embo said:
I also feel bad for this horse who has only been kept with sheep for 7 months and not had any horsey company :( my horse would never be happy with just a view of other horses, he is incredibly social and loves to play, groom and hang out with his friends.
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I was going to say this. 7 months on its own and not getting out the field or much interaction seems hugely unfair on the horse. Im not surprised it had a buck and a fart down to pure excitement of doing something different.

She had been allowed a charge round on the lunge and probably thought that was to continue. I think you need to get a qualified instructor to help and find a more suitable field or companion for your horse.
 
I think it's pretty obvious what's gone on here. If the horse was used to being ridden regularly when you first bought her and has now not been ridden regularly for the last 6/7 months she is going to be a bit on the fresh side.
I have a 13.2 Welsh sec C who is the most bombproof little horse you could ever hope to meet. I bought him as I was very nervous after a few nasty incidents with my old loan pony bolting with me several times and my confidence was shot to pieces. My gelding was brilliant. However he's recently been off work for a few months as I bought a 4yr old section D that required more of my time plus I stopped riding him for a few months while I lost some weight. A few times when I've ridden him following his time off he has been a bit fresh. He's put in the odd excited buck and has been very dancie and on his toes out hacking - not like him at all but hardly surprising following a few months off and being fed full of good food.
I would think it's exactly the same with your mare. Best thing is as others have said get her into a routine with regular riding. Ask an experienced friend to help you by starting her off and then once she's going again jump on yourself and have an instructor build your confidence up with her. Good luck :)
 
An established horse with the correct temperament should be able to be left for months and then ridden as normal. If they live out 24/7 they are pretty fit it took a good 10 minutes lunging each way to get my pony to puff a little on vets advice I will admit as I hate lunging but he advised after a laminitic escaped onto lush grass to work him hard and use the calories before they gave him laminitis. This pony is largely speaking a companion and rarely does anything apart from mooch around the field with the odd hooley when he is in the mood. Old girl had 18 months box rest and was then advised to walk her in hand She came out like a demented 3 year old colt until we put a small child on board when she chilled to look after her little jockey
So a pony should be able to be left for months and be no different. Get a good instructor to assess you and the horse as compatible
 
I agree that horses don't need riding to stay healthy, but unless they're in a huge field I think they do get bored. I mean you walk your dogs, don't you, even if they have a garden to play in. Perhaps you could lead your mare out, like a dog, just to get more confident in handling her. You could also do some groundwork, and maybe something like clicker training. I agree you need to find a qualified instructor to help you on the riding front. You also mustn't trot or canter her until her fitness is built up. Most owners do tend to ride about 5 times a week.

Don't ride if you don't want to, but she does need some sort of exercise, and something to engage her mind. She probably just has too much energy and is bored, so is making her own fun by bucking with your friend!
 
windand rain said:
An established horse with the correct temperament should be able to be left for months and then ridden as normal. If they live out 24/7 they are pretty fit it took a good 10 minutes lunging each way to get my pony to puff a little on vets advice I will admit as I hate lunging but he advised after a laminitic escaped onto lush grass to work him hard and use the calories before they gave him laminitis. This pony is largely speaking a companion and rarely does anything apart from mooch around the field with the odd hooley when he is in the mood. Old girl had 18 months box rest and was then advised to walk her in hand She came out like a demented 3 year old colt until we put a small child on board when she chilled to look after her little jockey
So a pony should be able to be left for months and be no different. Get a good instructor to assess you and the horse as compatible
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It's not so much the cardiovascular fitness that's a problem, but muscle weakness. Pushing unconditioned horses is a great way to damage a tendon.
 
windand rain said:
An established horse with the correct temperament should be able to be left for months and then ridden as normal. If they live out 24/7 they are pretty fit it took a good 10 minutes lunging each way to get my pony to puff a little on vets advice I will admit as I hate lunging but he advised after a laminitic escaped onto lush grass to work him hard and use the calories before they gave him laminitis. This pony is largely speaking a companion and rarely does anything apart from mooch around the field with the odd hooley when he is in the mood. Old girl had 18 months box rest and was then advised to walk her in hand She came out like a demented 3 year old colt until we put a small child on board when she chilled to look after her little jockey
So a pony should be able to be left for months and be no different. Get a good instructor to assess you and the horse as compatible
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Sorry but I completely disagree. If a horse is used to regular work and then suddenly is left for months I would think most horses would have a bit more energy and be more on their toes than normal. I don't think it matters how established they are. As I said in my previous post my little gelding is as quiet as a lamb normally but has been more on his toes after time off and being fed on good food. I would think it only natural he would be more energetic tbh :/
 
Who on earth buys a horse to learn to ride on, then sticks in a field and rides it just a couple of times in the next few months. Is it half term again already???
 
windand rain said:
An established horse with the correct temperament should be able to be left for months and then ridden as normal. If they live out 24/7 they are pretty fit it took a good 10 minutes lunging each way to get my pony to puff a little on vets advice I will admit as I hate lunging but he advised after a laminitic escaped onto lush grass to work him hard and use the calories before they gave him laminitis. This pony is largely speaking a companion and rarely does anything apart from mooch around the field with the odd hooley when he is in the mood. Old girl had 18 months box rest and was then advised to walk her in hand She came out like a demented 3 year old colt until we put a small child on board when she chilled to look after her little jockey
So a pony should be able to be left for months and be no different. Get a good instructor to assess you and the horse as compatible
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Absolutely disagree. My cob is established with an outstanding temperament but there is absolutely no way I could leave her for months on end and hop back on just like that and expect her to behave as she had done after being worked 5-6 days a week for at least an hour at a time. Doing this is also a fabulous way for a horse to be at serious risk of doing a ligament or tendon as their muscles lack the fitness and strength to support the work that they are being asked to do. While I believe that horses don't need to be ridden to stay happy (If they have adequate grazing and are stimulated in other ways, EG: Regular grooming, in hand walking, ground work if possible etc), you absolutely cannot leave a horse in a field for months on end, drag it out and stick tack on it and jump straight back on while expecting the poor animal to behave well and not potentially injury itself. Thinking that is ludicrous in my opinion.
 
fatpiggy said:
Who on earth buys a horse to learn to ride on, then sticks in a field and rides it just a couple of times in the next few months. Is it half term again already???
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I'm glad you said it. Seems an enormous waste of money to buy a bombproof established riding horse and only hop on it at most once a month.
 
9tails said:
I'm glad you said it. Seems an enormous waste of money to buy a bombproof established riding horse and only hop on it at most once a month.
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I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought this...seems they must have more money than sense as although it's been some time since I was at a riding school I can't imagine the cost of 5 lessons these days equals the cost of keeping a horse over 7 months.
 
Hi guys thanks for the reply, we bought her so I could learn on but rode her lots in the first few months, then the buck happened and I completely lost my confidence! That's why she hasn't been ridden! But I will contact an instructor.
 
I'm very suprised that so many think a horse must be ridden several times a week and that buying a horse and not riding is a waste of money! Riding is far from the only benefit to horse ownership!
How many times are people told in this forum that a nice horse isn't going to waste as a field ornament instead of out showing because horses don't have ambitions, how many of us (there's been threads on it before so I know there's lots of us) don't ride over winter because of weather/lack of facilities/not enough light after work and are just fair weather happy hackers and we don't get grief for it then so why is OP coming under fire for the same thing?
 
I agree Rowan, and it isn't anyone's business how OP spend his/her money. What a bunch of busybodies.

OP, am glad you are going the instructor route. Even the best riders have lessons, there is always more to learn with horses.
 
Don't mean to sound unkind but are you really ready for horse ownership? Would you know if your horse was trying to tell you something? Horses are incredibly tolerant and the signs of a problem can be so subtle. Can you tell if your horse is hungry, not hungry, tack is uncomfortable? The difference in relaxed or depressed, or feeling good and happy with life, or stressed and anxious? Would you know what to feed to address a problem? Are you able to plan months ahead to avoid a problem eg not coming into spring carrying too much weight ? How to erect safe electric fencing? Do you know if/when rugging is appropriate and needed ? Worming? Could you tell by the state of her bed in the morning what sort of night she had had? Horse ownership is serious business and I honestly feel you need lots of help. Can you put her on part livery where you can learn from a knowledgeable person? After over 30 years of ownership I'm still learning, and the things I see people totally overlook is toe curling. Please get some professional help with your lovely mare and make sure she is your absolute priority.
 
Been told by many a vet/horseman that a horse living out 24/7 can readily do a 12 mile hack at all paces straight from the field but you of course know much better than them each to their own . I know my grass kept pets can and do do all sorts of things, including being just my friends as I personally no longer ride, at any time owned horses for 50 years and never had a horse do a tendon or ligament except as an accident on a very fit working jumper. So take whaat you will from that. My pony had 18 months off to have a foal and came into work by teaching a complete beginer to ride so no horses and ponies do not need regular work if they are established and of great temperament. We will of course have to agree to differ but OP you should get a good instructor, get some experienced help to get you riding again so you have confidence in your horse You will only know if you are able to leave her in the field and ride occassionally if you do it. Some you can some you cannot it would appear
 
Yes I am quite knowledgeable with horses and I have a real bond with her, but really just wanting advice for an action plan?
 
Action plan?

Phone a well known local instructor to come and assess you both ASAP
Then, depending on what they say: teeth, back and tack check by vet etc
Weekly lessons with said instructor

You will need to ride your pony more than the once a week with the instructor though, no real progress can be made in fitness and getting to know each other ridden wise without regular work
 
I am sorry that the buck caused you to loose your confidence which caused you not to ride the horse anymore.
The instructor would be a very good route to take to restore your confidence and if you go to the British Horse Society Web site it does list BHS approved riding instructors.
My very safe horse that I used to ride in Central London (think Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square) did buck about 3 times in my 18 years of owning him which proves that this can just be something that very occasionally can happen.
To find an instructor try:
http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/find-an-instructor-or-groom
Good luck and I hope that your confidence returns and that you will shortly be back in the saddle.
 
Everybody has given you good advice but you need to have a plan and I have that.
1. Finish the GCSEs : don't risk an injury during exam time. Assuming you mean that you are taking the exams this month, this year.
2. Celebrate by going out a couple of times : to a riding school. This will boost your knowledge and confidence in yourself. It will do you good to ride a horse again that is not your own. Have a lesson with some others so that you are not in the spotlight all the time.
3. Whenever you have some time groom and tack up your horse. Take it out for a walk in hand or something, then build up to getting on her, but get off immediately. Again confidence boosting.
4. At some point later you will feel the urge to ride her properly, so do so. As others have said, follow a horse fitness programme I.e. walks only, then some trotting, and only finally adding in cantering. Be realistic about your aims and the frequency too, 5 times a week over the summer may be too many for you, but 3?Maybe?
Many of the posters on here, me included, never just school. We hack and use the local countryside to work with ours and the horse's education I.e. turning on the fore hand we practise by opening and closing gates, jumping fallen logs in the woods etc. I always find an uphill path to canter up too, as bucking is muuuch harder for the horse then.
In this case the education is yours, if you fail , do something you can both do, so that you end up feeling successful.
You have the summer in front of you, both of you need to enjoy it.
 
We recently moved to a house where I have some land now, in the area we are surrounded by experienced people who own horses, with brilliant hacking. She lives out 24/7, my neighbour thinks she is a lovely horse but just needs some work( she has two slightly scary warm bloods) so I think I shall talk to her.
 
Wightman said:
By the way I'm 15 and doing my GCSEs.
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Then you ought to be busy studying, and not frittering the day away online. Ask whatever adult is responsible for the mare to arrange for her to be brought back into work correctly once you have finished school for the summer. If they can also arrange for an instructor to help you with your riding, then so much the better. There is little sense in a child attempting to juggle exams with bringing a horse back into work.
 
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