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oliviacharley

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Not too sure what I can do really and hoping someone might beable to help..?
I have a 4 year old quarter horse. My husband bought him for me last July as a surprise - I was planning to loan him anyhow and had had a couple of lessons on him. As a 4 year old he seems to be very laid back and was giving me confidence.
I have had alot of experience of naughty horses and in my younger days used to ride anything. However I have not had lessons for a while, had a bad experience riding someone elses horse for them - basically reared with me, spun and then numerous amounts of bucks when I rode her out on my own once - I just about stayed on and refused to ride her again as it really scared me.

Taking on a youngster I did not think would be a problem as I have already broken in my younger horse who is now 15 and out on loan. Well I am having problems with this new horse Charley testing me. I have been pretty strict and not let him get away with too much but also pretty gentle as he is only a youngster.
Well recently he has got so much energy. If I let him out in the field he just runs, runs and runs. When I school him he is bucking and kicking out and then just tries to bolt with me. He seems to be pretty good once he knows I will not let him mess around but I lunged him today and he was rearing and trying to bolt again to get away from doing some work. Every time I approached him I was a little worried he might rear but seemed ok...in the end I had to lunge him in a small circle.
I feed him baileys top line conditioning cubes, alfa-a, and garlic powder as well as half a bale of hay each day. I am not too sure if this is causing the extra fizz but in the summer he seemed to be much more relaxed where at the moment he is just buzzing.
I dont want to lose my confidence but if he keeps rearing, trying to bolt and then bucking I dont think I am going to enjoy him too much really. I am sure it is nothing and he is just spring fever ish but I am not keen on selling him cause I dont like giving up really and he is a nice horse but what can you recommend...?
 
Does he need a feed? Some horses do go loopy on alfa-a unfortunately - if I were you I would cut the hard feed right down and see if that doesnt solve the prob - if it doesnt I would look at having his back checked

Also how has his routine changed - I'll bet he is out less now than in the summer?
 
He is in more actually you are right. I could cut his feed - I do not really need to find him hard feed but do so as I do not want him to lose condition.
He had his back check before I bought him and that was all fine. As I have only had him for a little while I have also read that I need let him get to know me and me him. As I said I am quite strict with him as I dont want him turning into a nightmare but do speak quietly to him and am gentle with him.
I will try cutting his hard feed out and seeing if that does the trick

thanks for the advice
 
Id def go with cutting out the hard feed....... always a good place to start.

Also friendly low pressure lessons might help....... or is there anyone you know that can stay with you whilst you ride and give just some gential instruction..... just an idea
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to help with confidance etc...
 
Lessons with somebody experienced would be of help to both you and the horse, if it's possible to have them.

As said, cutting out food should also probably help. If he needs it, then switching to try and find a feed more suited and less heating may help too. I have found Bailey's topline conditioning cubes be quite heating (very obviously more so than others in some cases,they sent my old 4yo absoloutely potty)
 
I would put a good rug on him and leave him out as much as possible (24/7 would be fine). He also doesn't need any hard food apart from some nuts and a supplement unless his weight drops off. Apart from that, ditto the advice about getting a good instructor.
You'l be alright, he's just being a teenager
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Yup, echo all the advice you've been given so far - you're probably feeding him too well! Personally, I'd feed him on an unmolassed chaff (dampened) with a broad-spectrum (multi) vit, so you can be happy he's getting what he needs nutrionally. If you're concerned about him loosing condition, take some photos of him now & also use a weigh tape so you know where you're starting from. Weigh him again in a few weeks & also use your eye to gauge his condition - it doesn't matter if he's a little trim, but you obviously don't want him ribby.

Keep him turned out as much as possible & don't ber frightened to get after him. I know he's young & I think you're right to respect that by being calm, quiet & sympathetic - but think of him as a child already at school rather than a baby - although you must respect the fact that he may not fully understand good/correct behaviour, you cannot be sympathetic when he DOES do something potential dangerous/highly unacceptable as he'll never learn if you don't nip it sharply in the bud. Like a child, the horse must learn black & white (no grey) immediately - I have always found the happiest/calmest horses to be the ones who understood their boundaires & respected their handlers; sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind (although not actually 'cruel' of course, just firm).
 
Just an update - always like to read the end results.
Charley has calmed right down. Taken him off the nuts, and chaff and seems his old self...he is not trying to bolt every five minutes.
I have kept him outside with a huge warm rug while my old pony is inside...he stands most of the day next to the stable door looking in at her...I think she is quite happy as he normally is trying to play with her and being 28 she is not always so keen...!
I have not yet lunged him but I am finding him less frisky and much more his old self...he is slight moody with me since I left him out and does take his time being caught
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..!
I have booked some lessons with a western instructor and I am looking into Parelli too.
Thanks again for all the advice
 
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