my new horse is acting crazy!

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jordanross

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Hi guys new to the site and ive been desperatley trying to find somewhere to get some advice.

Okay long story short is i bought a very pretty 12 yr old tb mare.

when i originally went looking at her for sale she was calm, sweet and very laid back. being a novice, i only rode her around the paddock in a walk and trot. she seemed fine for my first horse!

So on sunday she was delivered to me, yup i know just the other day, but some of her behaviour is starting to worry me. she seemed nice and calm when she arrived and soon started chomping on the hay net in her new stable!

But around tea time yesterday she started being funny... i walked her out to brush her and she was very alert and kinda jumpy ( she wasnt like this at first) later i tried to get her bridle on and she wouldnt take the bit for anything! after half an hour...i got it in! then when i tried to mount her she started going around in circles! she did not want me to mount her for anything. i knew she was a bit green, i was aware of that, but she seems to have become really flighty, and kinda high since coming here... im wondering if maybe its her food? and also id like to ask if anybody knows of any trainers in or around bolton lancashire... getting quite worried now and not sure what to do
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thanks for any replys in advance, Jordan
 
hi jordan. it could be a range of things off the top of my head:

- as above could have been doped when you tried her- this would be testable if you had blood tests?
- she could be a bit worried about being somewhere new, new people, new routine etc
- she could be taking the mick after realising you aren't too confident around her

if i get a new horse home i tend to lunge and walk them out for a couple of days til they get used to the place....
whereabouts in bolton are you? (i'm in bury!)
 
i give her a good week chilling but keep handling and lunging her dont let her push u about and make sure she knows ur in charge as if u let her take the p1ss now she'll keep on... shes probs just settling in... i think i'd give her time to settle
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wow thanks u guys lol, ive been searchiung the past few days for a website so i can talk to somebody about this! its really upsetting cos she is lovely! i have her at home in a converted garage ( sounds horrible) but trust me its massive.

samstar i txt my freind to ask the same question! its possible but i did goto see her twice before she actually came to live with me and she was fine both times! I even saw the lady i bought her off put the bit in also and she just took it! will she do it for me? uh uh!
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she stands tall and away from me soon as i go near her with it! i know its still very early days but i am getting kinda frustrated and worried...


ali_m hmmm yup i think she knows shes boss already lol
 
What I do with my mare as she lifts her head cos she knows I'm not tall enough to reach if she puts it up is keep her headcollar on and tie her up short then once bridle is on slip the headcollar off. It does work
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i woudnt worry too much ive had my new horse about 6 weeks now and he is just starting to settle and trust me more it gets better week by week so dont rush things just enjoy and get to know your horse but dont let it walk all over you
 
Get someone who REALLY knows what they are doing to help you or it could go downhill rapidly. Allow her to settle but get a knowledgeable person (and yes, you'll probably have to pay them) before it gets out of hand.

It's actually fairly worrying and dangerous that you think she is the boss already. It really is serious
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diggerbez im in belmont village, so sorta just out of bolton. but in... if you get me lol


and tbh i dont think she was doped... as i say , i did see her a few times after i diced to buy her and the woman did say i could go anytime in the lead up to me buying her cos i put a deposit down etc.

i didnt take a vet or anything with me, but she does seem fine. and she is calm enough as long as im walking her, or feeding her, brushing is okay... as long as its where she wants me to brush! lol
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Im really gonna have to find somebody to come take a look at her.. tell me exactly where im going wrong.. but i guess id best give her time yet as it as only been a few days here.
 
f_s she was on speedi beat and a pasture mix before i got her. and hay.


so i also put her on speedi beat( half a scoop full) half a scoop of pasture mix, half a scoop of reedi grass a carrot and i just fill her hay net up when its empty, cos i was told my her last owner that was fine.

I give her the following meal in the morning and then again at around 7pm.

she does have a big feild to go out in.... but guess what? she doesnt actually like being out! and when i put her out she follows me back and runs up and down until i take her back in! her last owner did say she prefered being in rather than out so i just put her out for any hour or so each day
 
am i sure i should be owning a horse? what kinda reply is that....okay i might be new but i came to ask for advice not to be insulted. yes maybe it was a mistake buying a horse with not much experiance....BUT i cant exactly take her back for a refund can i? so that comment isnt helping thanks.
 
Can I ask (and this is not an insult) how old you are? do you have anyone to help you?

If not perhaps someone on here is in your area that could give you advice.
 
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amymay she doesnt have any other horses here. she did have other horses for company at her previous home.

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this may well be part of your problem- she may well have become anxious because she has no one to seek companionship and assurance from- especially if you are a novice owner- you may not give her the confidence as you are not acting herd leader. How about getting a shettie or putting her into livery.
 
I apologise if that offended you, but, from your description you appeared to be very unsure of how to deal with the horse.

I don't know you and as there have been a number of very odd posts lately, I don't wish to waste my time replying to someone who is not serious.

However, in this instance, I would cut out all hard feed, and stick to just hay and grass. If she is going out on her own, then I would expect her to want to come back in again, so, perhaps you could turn her out with a companion.

Furthermore, perhaps you should have someone to check her teeth, back, tack etc, as it appears you haven't had the horse vetted before purchase.

Finally, I wish you good luck, there is lots of great advise on this forum, but, please be aware that people have been taken in in the past with false posts. No offence meant.
 
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amymay she doesnt have any other horses here. she did have other horses for company at her previous home.

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Okay, quite simply - you have a highly bred animal that is not suitable as a first horse or for novice owner. She also needs a companion.

If you can take her back to her old owner and ask for a refund. Simply tell her you've made a terrible mistake and cannot adequately or knowledgebly look after this animal. I'm sure she won't take her back (if she's the sort of person who will sell an animal like this to a complete novice, it's doubtful), however it's worth a try.

If she won't take it back - look for a companion pony as a matter of urgency - or look for a reputible llivery yard near you that can help you both.

I'm sorry for both you and the mare - but it sounds like a disaster.

Good luck to you both.
 
hermangerman im 29 and no i dont have anybody to help... wel nobody with horse experiance anyways. I think from some of the comments ppl on here take the mick if you dont have loads of experiance, well everybody has to start somewhere right? anyway i,ll take the advice given and get somebody in to help. if thats what it takes. I just thought maybe off the top of my head maybe her a diet isnt right... but what do i know.
 
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What companion does she have?

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If she was used to company and is now on her own, she will probably be very distressed.
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I think you need to get some advice from a professional as at this stage if you are a novice horse owner, you could end up with an unsafe horse. That is bad news for you both. I have seen it happen!!
 
popsicle your prob right , i think i,ll get my local vet out tomrrow and basically see what he/she thinks. maybe they can advice me were to go for some experianced horse help if it isnt anything medical, which i dont think it is... she seems calm enough. as long as i dont try and ride her or put the bit in her mouth! then she is fine..
 
if i were you jordan i would look into moving your horse onto a good livery yard where there will be experienced people on hand to help you out. i totally agree that everyone has to start somewhere but trying to completely go it alone can be a recipe for disaster...if you could have some experienced help on hand then hopefully you will learn quicker, your horse will come to respect and trust you and you will build a good partnership...i've been riding since i was 5 but i constantly need advice with my lot and would be lost being on my own!
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