Napping/nightmare pony

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Cobboy

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Okay so it’s a long one but here it goes. I bought my new horse in the back end of last year. I was wanting a happy hacker horse to help me regain my confidence after a few years not riding. When I went to view him he was the quietest pony ever definitely more leg than anything and after much discussion with owners he came home. Now I believe everything they told me and have no reason to believe they’ve lied however ever since he’s come home he’s been a nightmare. We struggled hacking out alone but would get through (he would lock his neck and evade the bit and spin for home) I spent months long reining him in new places and different scenarios and he improved greatly. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and he came to the yard where I work which was fine as I wanted to do some schooling so had a few lessons with just one other horse present we had about 5/6 lessons all where he was perfect and I was filling with confidence then one day he decided that when asked to go on the left rein he would throw a tantrum and back up and spin but we managed to keep moving and then a couple of days later in the next lesson he refused to go on the left rein full stop we’d be jumping a course and the second we came round the bottom of the school and turned onto the left rein he’d stop and then he would buck but only little ones and then keep going. Today I decided to take him out for a hack by himself and luckily I had my long reins so we kept going but once we got through the gate off the yard I went to get on as I always have and we turned to hack down a small track and he took about 5 strides forward and spun the more I kept trying to circle him or keep him facing where I wanted to go the more he would buck and in the end he managed to get his neck and he literally charged into the gate to try and get back. I carried on walking him in hand to begin with to calm him and then when I tried to get on again he stood good as gold but the second I asked him to go forward he reversed up a bank whilst trying to buck and then when asked to go forward again he reared at which point I dismounted. I am honesty at wits end with this pony and I’m trying everything to help him but feel it’s always 2 steps forward and 10 steps back. I have had his tack, back and teeth all checked with no problems and vet due out for vaccinations next week but I just don’t know what to do all I wanted was a horse I could hack out alone and go all over with and be safe. Any advice welcome as it’s crossing my mind all to often that the best thing would be to sell him on
 
Its difficult to make a reasoned assessment on only 23 lines but what is clear that- for whatever reaon - he has got too much for you. Was he wrong to begin with, has it happened later - all of that doesn't really matter to the essential question that drove you to ask for help.

You wanted a confidence giver and he isn't it. I know it is really tough but actually its OK to accept he isn't the horse for you, move him on to a home he is better suited for and try again.

No-one wants to "give up" on a horse. But actually moving him on before he is too badly damaged by his current situation is the responsible thing to do. And I speak as somone who did not move on a difficult horse when I should have and have regretted it - I am not in my glass house throwing stones - I have been there. And the horse was massively happier for my finally letting him go. You've done what is reasonable for you. Never mind what others might or might not have done in your place. You are you. The situation is what it is. Assuming he has not got so bad he can't be responsibly pased on - then do that. Absolutely.

But you do owe it to him to secure his future. Don't just dump him on a dealer to dispose of. You do need to secure him - -as best you can - a suitable home going forward.
 
You say you work on a yard and that he is based there at the moment so I am guessing there is an instructor who should be capable of helping you through this, although it sounds as if the lessons may have triggered off this recent step backwards so it would make sense to recheck your tack, he may well have changed shape recently with the different work and yard.
I would either continue with the lessons with the plan being to address this from every angle, if you cannot turn him and keep going where you want in a school you have little hope outside so take a step back, deal with him in a place you have a chance of starting off well, jumping when you cannot turn is not helping you gain confidence and will compound his lack of trust.

That said my instinct with a horse reluctant to work, that has had a recent change of routine, increased or change in work would be that there is an underlying physical reason, I would want the vet to do a workup with the hocks being given a really good check, jumping and circle work would mean any arthritic changes there have been put under extra strain and he could well be in discomfort and have good reason to object to being ridden.
 
Shay said:
Its difficult to make a reasoned assessment on only 23 lines but what is clear that- for whatever reaon - he has got too much for you. Was he wrong to begin with, has it happened later - all of that doesn't really matter to the essential question that drove you to ask for help.

You wanted a confidence giver and he isn't it. I know it is really tough but actually its OK to accept he isn't the horse for you, move him on to a home he is better suited for and try again.

No-one wants to "give up" on a horse. But actually moving him on before he is too badly damaged by his current situation is the responsible thing to do. And I speak as somone who did not move on a difficult horse when I should have and have regretted it - I am not in my glass house throwing stones - I have been there. And the horse was massively happier for my finally letting him go. You've done what is reasonable for you. Never mind what others might or might not have done in your place. You are you. The situation is what it is. Assuming he has not got so bad he can't be responsibly pased on - then do that. Absolutely.

But you do owe it to him to secure his future. Don't just dump him on a dealer to dispose of. You do need to secure him - -as best you can - a suitable home going forward.
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Thank you for this reply. I think ultimately you are correct and it’s taken me a while to realise that maybe I am doing him more harm than good I just didn’t want to feel like a failure and let him down but I’m starting to feel almost a resentment towards him and find myself frustrated after riding. I would never let him go to just anyone as he is such a character and such a good horse on the ground. Thank you for your honesty
 
To be honest I think the issue is not whether you could manage with this horse with the right help and instruction, but more that it sounds as if he is not what you want. However many lessons you take it seems unlikely that you will in the foreseeable future happily go out for a long hack alone and genuinely enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with letting a horse move on to a good home, and it gives you the opportunity to look for a lovely safe 'been there done that' horse who you will enjoy every day.
 
be positive said:
You say you work on a yard and that he is based there at the moment so I am guessing there is an instructor who should be capable of helping you through this, although it sounds as if the lessons may have triggered off this recent step backwards so it would make sense to recheck your tack, he may well have changed shape recently with the different work and yard.
I would either continue with the lessons with the plan being to address this from every angle, if you cannot turn him and keep going where you want in a school you have little hope outside so take a step back, deal with him in a place you have a chance of starting off well, jumping when you cannot turn is not helping you gain confidence and will compound his lack of trust.

That said my instinct with a horse reluctant to work, that has had a recent change of routine, increased or change in work would be that there is an underlying physical reason, I would want the vet to do a workup with the hocks being given a really good check, jumping and circle work would mean any arthritic changes there have been put under extra strain and he could well be in discomfort and have good reason to object to being ridden.
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I have spoken with my saddle fitter who is going to come out as soon as he’s able to to recheck the fit. I get where you’re coming from with the jumping and I haven’t since taken him in the school but he does it whether there’s jumps or no jumps but goes completely fine on the right rein. I was thinking of maybe gently lunging or long reining him in the school on both reins and seeing what his reaction is?
I will be calling my vet tomorrow to ask for a full MOT on him to rule out any underlying issues when they come for vaccinations. My initial thought was he’d just gone sour in the school but I have a feeling you could be correct in an underlying issue and I might leave him until he’s been checked as I’d feel awful if I made things worse. Thank you for you reply it’s much appreciated
 
Saddle fitting for a start is a nightmare. My friend had 4 different saddle fitters to look at her horse in the space of a few months. Spent lots of money even had one made for her which did not fit and it was returned She worked with her physio who gave her advice on what type of saddle to get and managed to find a saddle fitter who was honest and knew what they were doing. A bad saddle can cause alsorts of problems including kissing spines. She had him xrayed but his back is ok, she also had him scoped for ulcers again he was ok. She now has him happy again but keeps an eye on the saddle.
 
From what you write, there is a physical issue brought on by the extra schooling.

Being naughty in a new home is actually quite normal on a 'more leg than anything' horse as they have generally not been given consistent guidance when ridden, so rely on knowing the surroundings and routine.

Then he was trained and 'improved greatly, and all was well hacking.

Then he moved to a new yard, did 5 or 6 lessons where he was 'perfect'.

Now he is going 'completely fine' on the right rein, but on the left rein he stops and bucks. But still goes fine on the right rein.

I understand you have had teeth, back and tack checked, but for this absolute refusal to work on the left but be fine on the right, to me it is most likely to be be pain. That could be from the saddle, from a suspensory or hocks or stifles, or ringbone, or any number of things. I do agree that a saddle can make a huge difference, and would query who had checked the saddle. A 'back check' without a full lameness workup, including holding a leg up in turn, is not really a vet check.

As the horse has now reverted to uncooperative hacking, I would ask for a full vet performance workup, and if that is not possible, turn away until it is possible.
 
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