Nervous horse - need help!

Irishsportgirl

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Hi everyone, I've recently bought an irish sports horse from ireland 14yo - previously done XC/school master. However I'm having issues..

Recently I tried to mount him to ride for the first time but he had a complete panic, shaking/whites of eyes going etc. He let me sit on for maybe 15 seconds whilst literally shaking in his boots till his 'flight or fight' kicked in, bronked, bucked and bolted off leaving me on the floor.. Has anyone experienced similar or can help us overcome this? It's as if he tries his hardest to stand and be ok but then the panic just overcomes this.

Just a bit of background - He has only been with me in the UK for just over 2 weeks however he seems very settled in his field/on the ground with me, very cuddly boy and a gentleman, lunges perfectly. He does seem to be nervous with new things for example first time I went to catch him he came straight up to me but took a few goes to get a headcollar on - this has been the same with putting a fly mask on, picking feet up etc, so hes proving to be a very nervous horse bless him, but once having a couple goes its as if he 'remembers how' and is fine. Had farrier and was fine, passed a 5 stage hunting and jumping vetting in ireland just before arriving (have videos and docs, I've also spoken to his previous vet and no issues there).

This might just be a 'timing thing' which I am happy to work with however I also don't want it to progress and not be able to ride him..
Thanks in advance
 

paddi22

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is there any chance he could have damaged something while travelling over? has anyone else seen you try and mount? is there a chance your saddle could be catching him?

what are you feeding him? have you tried cutting out all hard feed/anything with alfafa and just feeding hay? is the grass in your field very rich or anything? I'd be tempted to rule out a reaction to feed or sugar as a first resort.
 

Irishsportgirl

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is there any chance he could have damaged something while travelling over? has anyone else seen you try and mount? is there a chance your saddle could be catching him?

what are you feeding him? have you tried cutting out all hard feed/anything with alfafa and just feeding hay? is the grass in your field very rich or anything? I'd be tempted to rule out a reaction to feed or sugar as a first resort.

Thanks for replying - he has been vaccinated and checked by my vet in the UK after travel and all seems to be ok there. He definitely isn't full of energy bless him - he's being lunged with no problem to get rid of any energy but unlike my previous horse seems pretty low in energy/not excitable with that.. But it's very clear that it was a nervous issue and there were people watching who agreed with me on that..
Being fed Redmills cool/cooked 10% mix, calming/basic molichaff, general purpose supplements and soaked speedibeet. He is also strip-grazed as in with a welshy.
 

Irishsportgirl

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I'd get a saddle fitter just to check your saddle as it may be pinching him somewhere and he might be nervous about actual/remembered pain.
Hi everyone, I've recently bought an irish sports horse from ireland 14yo - previously done XC/school master. However I'm having issues..

Recently I tried to mount him to ride for the first time but he had a complete panic, shaking/whites of eyes going etc. He let me sit on for maybe 15 seconds whilst literally shaking in his boots till his 'flight or fight' kicked in, bronked, bucked and bolted off leaving me on the floor.. Has anyone experienced similar or can help us overcome this? It's as if he tries his hardest to stand and be ok but then the panic just overcomes this.

Just a bit of background - He has only been with me in the UK for just over 2 weeks however he seems very settled in his field/on the ground with me, very cuddly boy and a gentleman, lunges perfectly. He does seem to be nervous with new things for example first time I went to catch him he came straight up to me but took a few goes to get a headcollar on - this has been the same with putting a fly mask on, picking feet up etc, so hes proving to be a very nervous horse bless him, but once having a couple goes its as if he 'remembers how' and is fine. Had farrier and was fine, passed a 5 stage hunting and jumping vetting in ireland just before arriving (have videos and docs, I've also spoken to his previous vet and no issues there).

This might just be a 'timing thing' which I am happy to work with however I also don't want it to progress and not be able to ride him..
Thanks in advance
Just an edit - behaviorist coming out on Monday to do an assessment and saddle fitter also booked again.
 

Michen

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I imported a 4 year old connemara (broken and riding) a year ago. He arrived absolutely traumatised but seemed to settle very quickly, though in hindsight he was jumpier on the ground than he should be.


I basically Re backed him, took it really slow but it still wasn’t slow enough and it all came to a head one day. A few days after I took him in the round pen to lunge him and he was just stood shaking. I think he internalised everything and then it just got too much.


With lots of TLC and groundwork he’s now the most cheeky, fun, relaxed young horse you could hope for. Extremely level headed and just an all round great chap.

Slightly different as he is a young horse but don’t underestimate the potential upset the journey etc can have caused your horse, I would get all the checks done then concentrate on lots of ground work- long reining etc and really monitor how he’s reacting to things on the ground before you get back on. E.g does he over react to a sudden noise in the yard.
 

Irishsportgirl

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I imported a 4 year old connemara (broken and riding) a year ago. He arrived absolutely traumatised but seemed to settle very quickly, though in hindsight he was jumpier on the ground than he should be.


I basically Re backed him, took it really slow but it still wasn’t slow enough and it all came to a head one day. A few days after I took him in the round pen to lunge him and he was just stood shaking. I think he internalised everything and then it just got too much.


With lots of TLC and groundwork he’s now the most cheeky, fun, relaxed young horse you could hope for. Extremely level headed and just an all round great chap.

Slightly different as he is a young horse but don’t underestimate the potential upset the journey etc can have caused your horse, I would get all the checks done then concentrate on lots of ground work- long reining etc and really monitor how he’s reacting to things on the ground before you get back on. E.g does he over react to a sudden noise in the yard.

Thanks for your reply thats really helpful to know. Hes definitely not spooky or sharp and isn't phased by people/dogs/cars/noises/fly over bridges etc, just clearly a nervous boy when comes to new things that are to do with him, touching him and progressing with him.. I'm taking a lot of time to work with him on the ground, lunging, long reining etc and walking out in hand with no issues after getting past his initial stress/nervousness. I do honestly think he is a lovely horse, just hoping I can at leased sit on him to progress in that aspect. However I'm aware this will take time..
 

Michen

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Thanks for your reply thats really helpful to know. Hes definitely not spooky or sharp and isn't phased by people/dogs/cars/noises/fly over bridges etc, just clearly a nervous boy when comes to new things that are to do with him, touching him and progressing with him.. I'm taking a lot of time to work with him on the ground, lunging, long reining etc and walking out in hand with no issues after getting past his initial stress/nervousness. I do honestly think he is a lovely horse, just hoping I can at leased sit on him to progress in that aspect. However I'm aware this will take time..

Yes it was more things like me suddenly moving quickly or I remember a treat ball rolling out of the stable on the concrete and he had a meltdown. Doesn’t have to be the obvious things, I think that’s why I missed it. In hindsight I’d have gotten him 100% comfortable with me on the ground before riding.

It’s definitely doable, my other imported connemara was the exact opposite and had to be firmly put in his place with his overconfidence and manner!
 

Michen

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I should add, the “nervous” Connie is also a cheeky g**, so he doesn’t get pandered too for being a bit emotional and he does require keeping on top of but I have to be really careful on how I discipline him and making sure I don’t mistake a genuine lack of understanding for something else. He’s taught me a huge amount in the year I’ve had him.
 

paddi22

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yeah I'd echo Michen. we get strange horses in all the time (with no idea of back history) and I wouldn't even try and get on them until they are totally relaxed. we treat them all as if they are are re-breakers. so it's back to just lying over their backs at a mounting block, checking there's no reaction or stress and then leaning legs over etc very gradually. if a horse shows any stress sign I back down a few steps and try again the next day

some horses have a very small stress level and transport and a new home can just totally overwhelm them. for ones like you describe I usually just do fun grooming and groundwork stuff for a few weeks until they lose the jumpiness.
 

Irishsportgirl

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Thanks guys, it's nice to know how people have had similar experiences.

I have just found a bit more of a background from previous owner and dealer and it turns out he's done the exact same twice with them - both times on the first time he's ridden in a new place and supposedly after that he is 'fine and riding well'. Any thoughts?

I have a behaviorist coming out on Monday as well as saddle fitter to have a look at things and make sure everything's ok.
 

Irishsportgirl

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yeah I'd echo Michen. we get strange horses in all the time (with no idea of back history) and I wouldn't even try and get on them until they are totally relaxed. we treat them all as if they are are re-breakers. so it's back to just lying over their backs at a mounting block, checking there's no reaction or stress and then leaning legs over etc very gradually. if a horse shows any stress sign I back down a few steps and try again the next day

some horses have a very small stress level and transport and a new home can just totally overwhelm them. for ones like you describe I usually just do fun grooming and groundwork stuff for a few weeks until they lose the jumpiness.
I should add, the “nervous” Connie is also a cheeky g**, so he doesn’t get pandered too for being a bit emotional and he does require keeping on top of but I have to be really careful on how I discipline him and making sure I don’t mistake a genuine lack of understanding for something else. He’s taught me a huge amount in the year I’ve had him.

Thanks guys, it's nice to know how people have had similar experiences.

I have just found a bit more of a background from previous owner and dealer and it turns out he's done the exact same twice with them - both times on the first time he's ridden in a new place and supposedly after that he is 'fine and riding well'. Any thoughts?

I have a behaviorist coming out on Monday as well as saddle fitter to have a look at things and make sure everything's ok.
 
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