nave really lost my confidence...:(

[chloe91]

Hiya everyone, I've had my gorgeous boy Sampson for four months now and have totally lost all confidence in myself since I've had him. He seemed perfect when i went to view him, a cobby ploddy confidence boosting happy hacker, a bit bigger than what I wanted, only just making 16hh and I'm only 5'2'' and weigh 11 stone. Anyway after a week from his arrival, he went lame, checked his foot and couldn't feel any heat but he seemed a bit tender so assumed it was probably just bruised, as he had been charging about the day before with his new friends. But it didn't get any better and called the vet the next day. Eventually after four visits over a month and each time cutting a hole into his foot they didn't know what was wrong with him. He was on three legs and in a lot of pain, eventually an absyss popped out on his fetlock and they finally agreed to give him antibiotics. The absyss healed but the hoof was still really tender and it took months for the hoof to grow back.
Now, thank god, he is completely healthy and sound and have been trying to get him back into work, but he's been very grumpy, bolting off a lot when lunging, bucking, kicking out.
I am a nervous person and I'm too scared to get back on him. I don't know what to do, I've thought about asking someone who's confident to help me, but everyone is saying I need to do it myself.
Is anyone else in this situation, and what do you think I should do...
he seems so perfect to handle in most ways, but when he doesn't want to do something he wont do it. The vet even said he was a dangerous horse, and my farrier thinks he's too spooky for me... and that i should get rid of him
(ps sorry for the long post)

 

[tallyho!]

Firstly well done you on doing the best for him through all that. I would get an experienced person to help, he may be frustrated and he's gone through alot. It's not his fault nor is it yours.

If you feel he would be better with someone more confident then maybe you should change for something more suited that you can get joy from. Life's too short.

 

[zoelouisem]

Is he going out much, make sure hes getting out to burn off the energy. And no get help, its just he probaly bored and full of pent up energy. If your nervous its probaly making him more jumpy. Get somebody who brave to get on him, and im sure once youve seen him behave himslef youll be fine.

 

[TheEquineOak]

Hi hun

I lost my confidence about 8 months ago after a nasty fall. I tried to persevere, but when she started acting up I would always get off (the one thing you SHOULDN'T do )
I had 2 lessons a week with my instructor to get back to where I am now.

Loads of horses bolt/buck on the lunge...they usually settle down once you're on board.

Sometimes it's about how much you want something... I was petrified of that mare. She was only 14.2hh, my new horse is 17.3hh and I don't care if he acts like a prat!

 

[tallyho!]

Also, if he's been o lots of meds then he might just be feeling out of sorts, have you asked vet about a detox. Lots of people swear by this once in a while...

 

[mystiandsunny]

If you can get someone else to get him back into work, they can get him going again and take the 'edge' off. Maybe an instructor? Then they can help you when you get back on, as they'll know him already?

 

[polopony]

Hiya Don't know if you have read my thread but I'm having some problems too - I was bucked off twice in the same ride this morning (the second time was in the middle of the road )
How is he when riding out with others?
Is he definitely sound/ has everything been checked?

I am (hopefully) getting somebody very experienced - polo player, ex point to point rider, to come and ride him for me to see how he is with them, is it possible you could get somebody else to ride him?

Personally I would choose to persevere, I have sent a horse back before, with whom I was truly in love with, because she wasn't 'right' for me. And it was the most horrible thing I ever had to do. So I am determined to do well with this one

 

[kirstyl]

I think you need to get yourself a sympathetic instructor who will 'hold your hand' and get you going again. Your horse is bound to be lively, he's had lots of time off and is feeling full of it! If your horse was sane and happy before, he can be again. You just need to get some help with him as soon as possible to restore your confidence and curb his enthusiasm. Go for it, you can do it! xx

 

[tallyho!]

I think you need to get yourself a sympathetic instructor who will 'hold your hand' and get you going again. Your horse is bound to be lively, he's had lots of time off and is feeling full of it! If your horse was sane and happy before, he can be again. You just need to get some help with him as soon as possible to restore your confidence and curb his enthusiasm. Go for it, you can do it! xx

Agreed

 

[chloe91]

Thanks everyone it does seem like he's full of it at the mo, been very cheeky recently as well. He is usually better when with others, but there's not always the opportunity to hack out. Have ridden him in the school and hasn't been very responsive, he's very lazy, but if he even sees a crop he freaks. I'm never sure if there is something genuinely wrong or if he's just pushing his luck.
I had a pony who was very similar a while ago but it didn't seem as bad because she was much smaller.
I have thought about getting an instructor in, do have a friend who would be perfect to help out getting him back into work as she doesn't take no nonsense...I don't want to give up on him just yet.
He has been checked by a vet and is confirmed sound, so there shouldn't be any problems with pain.
I don't know whether to be full on assertive with him or to take it slowly as he does seem to spook a lot, and I don't want to make things worse by putting too much pressure on him if it's not a respect thing.

 

[chloe91]

Also don't mind too much when bucking when lunging, but it's the bolting as i just can't hold him back, even with a bridle on, there's no way i could lunge him in a cavesson.