New horse behaviour change?????

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walkandtrot

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Hi, usual old story, new horse has settled in nicely, and 4 weeks later started napping, had back/teeth checked, saddle was fitted also, all fine, now has gone on to start rearing...
Any advice please on assertaining if he is "trying me out" or had behavioural issues, old owner totally rebuking rearing history!!
 
I would say trying you out. My family bought a horse (for me and my mum but now just mine really) in October and when we tried her she was pretty sensible, very easy to tack up, quiet to ride. I don't believe that they lied about her really and she was calm when she first arrived. Then she slowly progressed on to breaking free when tied, refusing bridle, napping, stopping in the road etc. We have worked through these issues one by one (mostly!) but occasionally now she will pull free and rear for a moment.

Having said that, I do think that some of this comes from underlying issues and also that perhaps I was not as confident handling her as I should have been from the outset. I remember my previous horse also went through a time of seriously testing me out to the point where I sobbed on the street, after a while she was a wonderful happy hacker. :)

If it continues then I would say maybe to get some professional help to work through the problems. I don't know much about rearing though and obviously that is pretty serious so I would say you need to address it ASAP. I hope that you get it sorted. :)
 
murphyofheron said:
Hi, usual old story, new horse has settled in nicely, and 4 weeks later started napping, had back/teeth checked, saddle was fitted also, all fine, now has gone on to start rearing...
Any advice please on assertaining if he is "trying me out" or had behavioural issues, old owner totally rebuking rearing history!!
Click to expand...

How awful for you !So you have done the normal checks , well done how about feed and turn out ?How was he when you tried him, did you get bloods taken ?
You could have some lessons on him, this might help
 
thanks guys, I took him off his hard feed when I got him, as he is a good doer, and the last owners had a horse walker!! started off with lessons straight away, was delighted with him as he was behind the leg, rather than a boil head... its just, how do I decifer "trying me out" as opposed to being a rearer, which is a totally different ball game... mmmm, gutted,
 
murphyofheron said:
thanks guys, I took him off his hard feed when I got him, as he is a good doer, and the last owners had a horse walker!! started off with lessons straight away, was delighted with him as he was behind the leg, rather than a boil head... its just, how do I decifer "trying me out" as opposed to being a rearer, which is a totally different ball game... mmmm, gutted,
Click to expand...

Perhaps you can get your instructor to help you figure this out? Belle kept panicking and pulling back to break free when tied. She mostly stopped then suddenly was much worse, had my instructor to the house who made me realise that Belle was actually trying it on now and she showed me how to deal with it. Now we are doing a lot better. I agree that being a rearer is something very different, but perhaps this is the start of something you just need to knock on the head before she realises that she can get away with it. If your instructor is not available or suitable to help you with this then there are lots of professionals who could come to see you and help you with it. They can be really expensive but perhaps you just need one session for someone to tell you what's what and how you should be dealing with the issue.

I am so glad that I asked for help as it has dramatically improved everything. :)
 
I had a similar experience but the trouble started sooner... mare had been good as gold on trial, but once home was rude and bargey in stable and yard, napping, bucking and rearing when riding out, pulling back when tied (not in panic, just she didn't want to be there...). She was great for lessons in a school.
I decided she wasn't the one for me (it was getting dangerous as I have to ride on roads) and rehomed her to someone who planned to school her and sell her on. They still have her, they keep her busy and tolerate her loopy behaviour.
I now have a lovely horse who will stay with me forever (as my others have done). Remember you have a horse for enjoyment, not penance, so make sure you have one you enjoy! Good luck.
 
I don't mean to be unsupportive, but people buy a horse which has been schooled to a certain level (or not in the case of 'project horses' :p) by the previous owner.
If the horse starts to play up over time in a new home, then I would have to suggest you are unschooling it, and are perhaps not as competent a rider as they were.
Now, there are all sorts of different riders out there, and being a novice is no crime.
It would, however, be nice if the owners looked at their issues as a horse-rider combination problem, rather than either blaming the past owners or the poor horse.
If you are struggling, improve your riding by having lessons on schoolmasters, then on your own horse.
You buy a horse as a living, breathing, unpredictable, social being. You don't buy a lifetime behavioural guarantee regardless of incompetency (not aiming this at the OP, just a general rant).
I'll go kick the cat now.
S :D
 
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