New horse a mistake

[Penny Less]

Well have had new nag for nearly 4 weeks. Advertised as perfect gentleman, safe confidence giver, suitable for all members of family or beginner. Total spook bag.
Tried him out on two occasions, both extremely hot days, so probably couldnt be bothered to misbehave. Did spook once.
However, today after being fitted for a saddle so on board for first time he spooked 4 times going across the yard ! Seems extremely unconfident to me, I bought him to hack out alone, not being the most conifdent rider myself. How can people live with themselves passing off a horse like this as suitable for a beginner. Dont they have any conscience. Needless to say he will probably not be staying with me

 

[MrsMozart]

did you buy form a dealer or an individual?

hugs hun, have a hot choccy and a seat on m'sofa.

 

[BayJosie]

I had this situation 3 years ago and it's so awful. I wish you well and hope you make the right decision. Such a shame when this happens.

 

[JM07]

private purchase or dealer?...if the latter you can take steps to return it.

 

[cluedo]

Don't mean to be ride but give him chance to settle in. Even the most bombproof horse does react when you take them away from somewhere they are familiar, and have their friends. It's like taking you out of a job you like and then without explanation into a totally new job with new area and not understanding what it is your supposed to do.

Try a herbal calmer to see if it helps him settle, and maybe some rescue remedy for you.

Have you spoken to the old owners to see what his routine was etc.

 

[competitiondiva]

Sorry to hear that, what sort of horse is he, age etc?

 

[KatB]

On the other side, a horse that has always been a complete saint, after moving yards/routines/owners etc may just be feeling a little bit unsure and scared about life!!

Get someone to hack out with you to start, or someone more confident to hack him on his own, and I bethe will be fine in a couple of weeks of regular work.

 

[Penny Less]

Bought privately and surprise surprise sellers not returning calls!

 

[bananas_22]

I feel your pain - I was in a similar situation recently and have been on a search for a quiet horse for my novice OH for 3 months now! We went to see one that was described to us as perfect for him, but then it bucked 3 times and reared right up in the first 3 minutes of the owner riding him. It was a 5 hour round-trip journey well spent!

 

[Sunny08]

I agree with KatB this could just be new surroundings and feeling unsettled. Maybe get a confident rider to take him out a few times to settle him or fnd a confident horse.
It took my mare about 6mths to settle and be confident in a new place. I know it is difficult but probably worth pursueing for a while. I think regular work and attention could make a world of difference.
Good luck!

 

[AmyMay]

Horses ain't machines..... And it could well be that he's picking up some tension from you.

Give the poor lad some time to settle down

 

[icemaiden113]

Why not let him settle in first?! New saddle new home may just need time to adjust!

 

[Ludi-doodi]

I do sympathise, and I apprciate there's nothin worse than feeling you've been 'had' but for a few moments look at from your horse's point of view. He's been taken from a home he knew well (?) and with a new owner. Wouldn't you be a little nervous and scared if you were taken from home and put in someone elses house no matter how lovely that house is and how kind the people are? May be he's just pushing his luck a bit because it's all new.

Give it a few more weeks and try to establish a bond from the ground perhaps? Can you do a bit of research on his background and previous owners and see what they have to say - not just the person who you bought from but any before that?

Good luck you never know he might just turn out to be the horse of a lifetime.

 

[JM07]

he's been there 4 weeks....i would think that was plenty for a so-called steady hack?

 

[Rollin]

I coud bore you for ages with stories of horses who turn from Dr. J into Mr. Hyde in a new yard. It is very scarey to have a horse who is spooky
but sometimes it is just change of environment that unsettles them.


I bought a mare, two years ago (from a stud) who put me in hospital with concusion, jumped electric fences and jumped out of my menage with long reins on. The stud offered to take her back but I persevered, now I can put a 15 year old on her.

She was traumatised by her yard move and took a very very long time to settle. I am glad I never sent her back as I like her very much and she is super in traffic.

 

[Lippyx]

Sorry to hear this, but I would agree with Cluedo. Some horses can take weeks before they really settle! I wouldn't through in the towel yet... try a herb remedy and call up his old owners and see what they say, they may be able help you further!

 

[ester]

agreed it took frank an awful long time to settle in (though he is still a bit welsh!) he wouldn't stand on the yard was generally very bargey and was at least 2" bigger. Now will stand on yard with multiple kids all brushing different bits

However, knowing this I would give any prospective purchaser the heads up.

Looking back it took him at least 6 monthst to truly settle to it as he had been in previous home for a long time.

 

[Penny Less]

As said before, sellers not returning calls. Having previously has a spooky cob that gave me concussion Im thinking its probably deja vu all over again as they say!

 

[ester]

thats the one thing I would take issue with and makes me suspicious the not returning of calls, if I were to sell I would do what I could to smooth the transition.

 

[icemaiden113]

Not for an unconfident rider!! or new surroundings

 

[lillie07]

Has he been worked in the last 4 weeks?

 

[Ranyhyn]

My horse was sold as a saint, and was ridden the day after he arrived. And guess what? He was a saint. Bareback and by a rider who hadn't ridden in months (and he hadn't been ridden much either!) And when he finds his new home he will go to people who'll be advised to get on and go - a horse who knows his job should be able to cope.

4 weeks I think is enough to settle for a steady hacker like that.

 

[Sunny08]

If he hasn't been worked in the last four weeks I would really give him a few steady weeks work before making a judgement.

 

[Flame_]

B*gger the settling in, the longer you leave it, the less chance you have of getting a refund. I'm with JM on this one, a safe hack should be a safe hack, wherever it comes off the lorry.

Keep trying the old owners. Are they far away? Could you go to their yard about 5/6 o' clock. That's about the busiest time for doing horses, I find.

 

[CBAnglo]

[ QUOTE ]
Well have had new [horse] for nearly 4 weeks ...

However, today after being fitted for a saddle so on board for first time he spooked 4 times going across the yard !

[/ QUOTE ]

From this I took you to mean that you have had the horse for 4 weeks and only just got on?

sorry - my boy who is a brave little thing and doesnt spook at anything would be spooky after having 4 weeks off. They all are in my experience. I would give the horse a chance under saddle, and also if you are nervous he might also be.

Consider going out with a steady horse and rider a couple of times and then going out alone, or getting someone else to take him out alone first. When I moved my horse last year, he was perfectly used to going out alone but then was a spooky nappy mess for a couple of weeks and then went back to being the same. I had owned him 2 yrs at that point!

 

[AmyMay]

Ok, so break down OP what you've been doing with the horse.

Management?
Breed?
When did you first get on him? etc. etc.

 

[icemaiden113]

Well after 4 weeks it is a bit late to be trying ot contact the owners and expect them to do something!

 

[Sunny08]

Is this the same horse you couldn't catch for the first week? regardless of what I said previously not being able to catch a horse for a week doesn't suggest a laid back schoolmaster hack type?

 

[rockysmum]

I bought the black and white cob in my signature 7 years ago as a bombproof ride for an 11 year old.

When I got her home she was the horse from hell, unfriendly in the stable, impossible to take out on her own, had a buck which would not have disgraced a rodeo horse.

Seller could not understand it and I had evidence that she was telling the truth.

6 months later I got my perfect pony, until we moved yards when it started again.

Four yard moves and lots of weekends away at shows and she has got used to moving.

Some horse, especially if they have been in a home for a long time are very upset and unnerved by moves.

I agree with the advice to give him chance and perhaps get some help.

 

[3Beasties]

Was it the first time he had been ridden in 4 weeks?