New horse advice please

[Vikki7287]

Ok so after about 3 years of riding lessons and a long decision making process I decided to start part loaning my first horse. I want to ease my way into the world gradually and eventually have my own completely one day. So after being very used to brain washed riding school horses who will do anything you tell them to do I’ve started to loan a horse which is really actually quite naughty. If I take him out on a ride it takes a big argument to actually even get him out of his field. He will rear and buck while I’m on him and bolt back to his shelter. When I’m on the ride he is constantly pulling to go back to his field and every time we hit a corner which would take him back he tries to bolt back. It’s getting to the point where it’s actually starting to scare me and put me off riding him. The girl who owns him says that this is completely normal behaviour and that anyone who owns their own horse has to go through this, but it’s just a constant battle with him and I’m not getting any enjoyment out of it. I’ve only fallen off once so far and I don’t want to give up but just wondering if anyone has any advice. Be nice as this is still all new to me! It’s like he just doesn’t want to ride. He’s got no medical conditions and all tack professionally fitted.

 

[EllenJay]

This horse doesn't sound suitable for you. Additionally, the comment "anyone who owns a horse has to go through it" is, frankly, rubbish.
Give this horse back, and find another loan/share

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Rearing and bolting are not acceptable. Find another safer horse to ride before you have a major injury.

 

[Vikki7287]

Yeah she basically says that all horses are this badly behaved and as I've never had one before this I don’t know whether this is true or whether she’s just saying this so I keep the loan. I think I’m quite a good rider and I handle and put up with a lot considering the amount of time I’ve been riding, but I can’t see it being a normal thing to have to have a 30 minute argument every time I want to ride lol. Occasionally when he’s on a track he will be nice to ride (besides the constant pulling to try and graze) but then as soon as we get to a junction and he knows he’s not heading home we have issues again!

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

It's meant to be fun. This doesn't sound like fun so I think you need to look for another loan.

Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable loaning my horse if he behaved like this, so this isn't a reflection on you or your ability.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

She is giving you a load of old hogwash. Bet she is terrified of him and cant get him to do much of anything politely and in a well mannered way - my best bet she is hoping a loaner will sort his manners for her- what a chancer!

End the loan ASAP and look for something that you can actually enjoy riding. Of course all horses have their little foibles and they aren't a machine but this one doesn't sound a pleasant horse to ride in anyway shape or form, regardless of riders experience.

 

[Vikki7287]

Thank you, that’s given me a bit of reassurance. I love riding but I’m not enjoying riding him and getting nothing out of the riding side of this loan. I tried to take him into the arena a few times as I love a little jump and he just kept trying to charge at the gate the whole time ??‍. I just feel like a bit of a failure if I give up on him. I know the last girl who loaned him gave up on him for this exact reason

 

[Nari]

The owner is either an idiot or a liar. My advice is to get out before you get hurt, when restrictions are lifted get some lessons so you remember that it's fun and then try to find a more enjoyable horse to loan.

 

[Vikki7287]

Yeah I think this has helped me to make the tough decision. I’ve given it 6 months now riding at least twice a week, I’ve been really committed I just would have thought there had been some improvement! On the positive side though I have learnt loads from the owner about actually taking care of a horse, she is really knowledgeable. The site facilities are amazing too, big and small gallops, three arenas, really nice kept paddocks, friendly people, met loads of friends there, this is why it’s such a tough decision as everything is perfect apart from the riding! He’s a lovely little horse from the floor ???‍

 

[Nari]

Makes me wonder if there's something the matter with him, but that's not for you to be throwing money at to find out.

 

[Vikki7287]

I have wondered that too. He had laminitis a few years ago and he protests more when he’s on hard ground than he does on grass so I do wonder whether there’s anything going on with his feet but I’m no expert, she has the farrier come regular and she says he is fine so I don’t question any further, she’s a lot more experienced than me and has had this horse for over 10 years so knows his signs of feeling unwell. I think it’s just a case of he just doesn’t like being away from his field. He can be a bit spooky sometimes. Also as he’s on restricted diet he’s extremely food orientated and he knows he shouldn’t be trying to eat when on a ride (another one of his issues!) so perhaps trying get back to his field as he knows that’s where dinner comes from ?‍ I wish they could talk ?

 

[SBJT]

He might also be testing you. some strong horses who are smart and know theyre strong do try to take the p***. Most non riding school horses even good ones will have their quirks that you learn to work with and figure out if the partnership is right.

But either way reading and bolting are not for the faint hearted and it sounds like some good advice here. It’s a dangerous and expensive thing we put all of our time, love and energy into and if you’re not enjoying this partnership then it’s time to move on. I disagree with the owner that all loan horses will buck and rear, maybe quirks. there are good ones, they’re just harder to find. Actually that’s how I bought my boy, I loaned him first so what you’re doing is the right approach. Take heart with that and stay positive!

 

[Highflinger]

I agree with the others that the horse does not sound suitable but as everything else at the yard sounds ideal as a last option before you give him up could you have a lesson with a professional and see what they think? I know not possible at the moment to have a lesson with the lock down but could you do some ground work for the next few weeks - lots of good videos on youtube and groundwork its never wasted time, you still get your horsey time and continue to learn but stay safe!

 

[SpringArising]

You're not 'giving up on him', and neither did the girl before you. This isn't Black Beauty or The Horse Whisperer.

Get you something you enjoy. This sounds like an accident waiting to happen for both you and the horse.

 

[meleeka]

I’m afraid it says a lot about the owner that’s she’s willing to let you hack him out and risk both your safety. Imagine if he bolted straight into a car?! Even if it was true that all horses are naughty (which it isn’t) you’d think she’d care more about her own horse than to trust it with someone who’s not competent enough to deal with it (no reflection on you at all and I’m sure you manage it really well, but if I thought my horse would try and bolt with someone I wouldn’t be letting them out hacking) .
There are plenty of safe horses around and you’ve learnt a lot about horse care so probably time to move on.

 

[sportsmansB]

Sounds like a good plan to wave good bye to this guy.
Maybe its a bit of a mixture of things - I certainly would NOT expect a horse to attempt to graze when I was riding it, and the one time it tried would be the last - that sounds like 'testing' behaviour - but some of the other reluctance would make you wonder if he is completely comfortable, or if he has just got away with this sort of thing for so long that it is normal to him.
It does seem unusual that his experienced owner is unsurprised- does he do it with her?!

 

[Splash2310]

I had a share horse who started exhibiting some unusual behaviour after a few months, she began lurching off uncontrollably into canter without breaks and was becoming dangerous to ride.

I later found out her owner had been lunging her dangerously, refused to get her back checked, oh and she was teaching her to stop only to her whistle command.

Getting out of that share and finding the horse I ride now was the best thing I could do. I realised that the previous share had dented my confidence considerably and I had become tense and stopped enjoying myself. At the end of the day, even though my new share can sometimes be cheeky/naughty, I always have fun riding him and never get off having had a bad time.

You’ve not bought this horse, you’re riding it for enjoyment, and frankly you’re not enjoying it. You don’t want to get into a position where you’re confidence gets knocked and you start to resent riding.

I would politely suggest to the owner that you don’t think the partnership is working, and start to look for a new friend to enjoy. Good luck!

 

[SkewbaldPony19]

The problem is that even if your ride the horse well, if the owner rides it badly the horse will learn bad habits and behave badly for everyone especially since it has worked with previous riders for the horse to change you would need everyone who rides the horse to help train the horse and make sure they aren't encouraging any bad habitsand not just one person