New Horse Behaviour

[jaxponyful]

Hi, I've had my new horse for about a month now. My first owned for a long time although i've never stopped riding or helping with other peoples.
He's a 16.1 hh, 5 year old irish cob who I thought was the gentlest horse i've ever seen. When I got him, i didn't ride him for 10 days or so, just groomed him, took him for walks across the field and lunged him. When I started riding him I kept it short, lots of walk, trotting poles and short trots and he was going great. The only thing I will say is he was slightly nappy at the gate.
We had our 1st hack out the other day which went terribly with him bolting down the road, back to the yard and me coming off. We were out with my friend on her new horse and on the way back her horse started jogging and I could feel my horses back tensing so I was putting it down to that.
I took him out today in hand and as soon as we got on the field he started rearing and being naughty, I then took him into the school and did a bit of ground work, halt, walk, backing up and lunging which went ok but I felt quite nervous and I was waiting for something to happen.
I know he's new and we need to get used to each other but if anyone can give me some advice to mainly deal with this behaviour I think he'll be a great horse. Do you think also he can feel that I'm not as confident because of what happened the other day and is playing on it?
Any tips to get me through this time and what you think may help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Waffles]

I don't envy you one bit! I got my new horse 4 months ago and have to say that the first few weeks were terrifying. He'd never seen traffic so I spent nearly 4 weeks leading him out in hand on the roads. Thankfully that all went ok. He did play some games for quite a while - I had to lead him through a small wood, across a couple of fields to turn him out/bring him in. In the woods, he would stand there, showing me the whites of his eyes and refuse to move. He's a really strong, complex, intelligent horse and I was so afraid of wrecking the relationship before I'd made one with him. I knew that I wouldn't win a physical fight and that if I hit him, the way he was looking at me made me think he would rear up or whatever. In the end, I sang to him, gently pulling him from side to side, making him go off balance until he walked with me. That all worked....thank god.... Now, he is absolutely fine.
Can't really give any advice, other than to somehow try not to show you are scared (which is really difficult!!) - I've had horses for more than half my life, but not until this one did I realise how very perceptive they are to every mood. Just be gentle with him - spend lots of time grooming/stuffing carrots down him and being his best human friend. Avoid conflict at all costs.

 

[be positive]

Too late now, but I think it is a mistake to let a new horse have time off when you first get it, if they are fit and in work keep them going otherwise they tend to get fresh and possibly try it on with you, especially at this time of year.

I would cut back any feed, turn out as much as possible and work him when you can, make sure he is going forward and using his energy in a positive way, it is sometimes easier said than done but if he is focusing on the work he will have less time and energy to be naughty. Maybe have some lessons to give you ideas and help with your confidence.

 

[Waffles]

I had a lot of "helpful suggestions" from people who advised using a be nice halter "show him who is boss" and that sort of thing. I'm glad I just listened to my gut instinct.

 

[caroline23]

i would get an instructor to help build your confidence on him from the beginning, i have a 5yr old cob who has bolted with me and last time i came off, it has killed my confidence and i am finding it very hard to get on with the horse now, as it has become a fear and he is picking up on that, plus being a young horse he needs a confident rider
cobs are nutorious for going through the "kevins" 5-7yrs old

 

[Cocorules]

Many many years ago I was given a 5 year old and it took her a long while to settle in. I also had a very serious accident falling off her a few months after I had her.

It took time and what worked was working her regularly (in her case twice a day) taking her out with an older horse and going at her and my pace. Many years on and with more experience behind me I know she was simply very green (and my own riding was far from great to be honest (and frankly still isn't!). I still had her when she died at the age of 26. She really did come good.

I suggest you book some lessons with the right instructor - start with some groundwork lessons and build up. Your horse may have missed out a few building blocks in his training and it will give you focus and keep your confidence up too.

Young cobs really do need to learn manners. It does not come so easy to them as to some other breeds. Their bolshiness covers up a lack of confidence sometimes. They get confidence and manners from your setting ground rules and sticking to them. If you have problems leading a stronger headcollar like a dually and longer leadrope will keep you safe and give you control. They respond well to praise and to being corrected whenever they get it wrong.

I would also check tack, not overfeeding and no pain.

 

[Waffles]

Young cobs really do need to learn manners. It does not come so easy to them as to some other breeds. Their bolshiness covers up a lack of confidence sometimes. They get confidence and manners from your setting ground rules and sticking to them. If you have problems leading a stronger headcollar like a dually and longer leadrope will keep you safe and give you control. They respond well to praise and to being corrected whenever they get it wrong.

I would also check tack, not overfeeding and no pain.[/QUOTE]

I reckon you're absolutely right about the bolshiness stemming from the horse's insecurity or fear - it's just like some people get when they are scared (dare I say it, but men especially).

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I always give a new horse about a week to settle in before riding it, so I'd have done what you did.

Young horses generally take their confidence from the rider, so the fact yours has taken a (not surprising) dent won't be helping.
I think that you need to get him used to doing as you say on the ground before you try riding again. IME you can be very firm, so long as you are absolutely consistent in your expectations and don't get aggressive with the horse.
I agree that you need some piece of equipment which will give you greater control when you are leading, I use cheap rope cow halters but you may prfer to lead in a bridle for a while, I would also carry a schooling whip just in front of his nose to stop him barging forwards and to give him something to focus on as he walks. You can tap his chest if he doesn't seem to be listening to you, or wave it near his quarters if he stops and refuses to walk on.
Then I'd find a really steady, no jogging, older horse and confident friend to hack with and go on a very short circular walk only hack for 5 or 10 minutes if possible and build up very gradually. I'd also find a good RI to help you through this phase.

 

[jaxponyful]

Many thanks everyone for your great advice. I feel much more confident in the school with him so I think I won't ride him for a week or two but do some groundwork with him everyday. It's been hard to do that as I help my friend with her horses too and there are not enough hours in the day but he deserves my attention.
He's been having one or two medium sized hay nets a day depending on how cold it is and a scoop of hi-fi with some oil in the evening. I've been thinking of getting some horse and pony mix, particularly the baileys one for the extra proteins.
He need building up on his shoulders and top line and I know work will help this but thought this feed may help..what do you think?
Also do you think it's important to stick to the same time when working him so he has a routine there, just like a child's bedtime, they get used to it?

 

[rockysmum]

Just one point, you say on your first hack he bolted back to the yard.

I am guessing from this that you turned round and came back the same way you went. If not he wouldn't have known where the yard was.

I've always found with horses which try these tricks its better to go round in a circle and not just come back the same way you went.

 

[juliette]

My cob goes a bit nutty on horse and pony mix - scared the living daylights out of me!! I'd try to avoid anything molassed until you know him better, it may cause a reaction, which i am sure you want to avoid at the moment!

Good luck, I'd agree consistent behaviour on the ground, making the horse respect your space, walk back when requested etc will help enormously. Get a good instructor or very proficient friend to come and help you it will give you lots of confidence. A 2nd pair of eyes may pick up on things you miss. My friend helped me, we hacked out together and she would literally yell instructions if needed, which when things were going pear shaped was much appreciated! Sometimes my way of dealing with a problem was not as effective as it could have been and she helped me to sort it out.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

He's been having one or two medium sized hay nets a day depending on how cold it is and a scoop of hi-fi with some oil in the evening. I've been thinking of getting some horse and pony mix, particularly the baileys one for the extra proteins.
He need building up on his shoulders and top line and I know work will help this but thought this feed may help..what do you think?

I think you would be nuts to increase his hard feed, when you already appear to be struggling. Up his hay if he isn't holding his weight.

 

[jaxponyful]

I agree with you and we only turned round as my friend was worried if she took her new horse (ex racer) on the stubble field he might charge off as her old one used to. It was a bit the blind leading the blind!! We have some great off road hacking too.
Its such a shame because when I viewed him I knew he needed schooling but we went for a hack on quite a busy road and he didn't bat an eyelid so I was very impressed. I think it was one thing after another what did it the other day.
Did you read my post about the amount of food and routine? Some advice on that too would be great.

 

[Booboos]

Don't give him any hard feed, you'd just be asking for trouble. Top line improves with work not feed.

Did you have him vetted when you bought him? Are you using a new saddle? Have his teeth been checked recently? I would try and eliminate any possibility of pain before anything else.

5 is quite young, how much work had he done with his previous owner? Had he hacked before? It may be that he just doesn't know how to do these things and you need to go back to basics but you definitely need to hack with another horse that is as settled as possible. A prancing friend is likely to unsettle a youngster.

Also, I can't emphasize strongly enough the benefits of a really good instructor, especially when establishing a relationship with a young horse. He/she can help with both handling and ridden issues.

 

[jaxponyful]

Thanks on the pony mix advice, I'm steering well clear!! That's what these forums are for hey!
It was only to help his muscles that I was considering it but I think we'll stick to good old fashioned work! He's not losing weight so no problems there.
What about sticking to a routine with his schooling?