New horse help - bit of a long one but all advice appreciated

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sarahpayne

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Hi all

Haven't posted on here for ages, so apologies for not contributing much. The young mare that I bought 3 years aso as a 2 year old was put to sleep a couple of weeks ago. I took her to be professionally backed last year which went well and within 10 days of being back home she was kicked in the field. Both back splint bones were broken with damage to some of the ligaments / tendons. She had an operation to put her right, but issues returned and due to her nature (very stressy and difficult to handle in most situations) the vet and I decided that after a period of time she would be better PTS. Anyway, eventually made the decision and quickly went horse shopping to ease the pain.

I collected the new beast on Tuesday and it has been a bit of a nightmare since - he was sold as being very easy going (only 4 years), but loveable and needed a job - exactly what I wanted. I tried him a couple of times and he was super - really easy, but green - nothing you wouldn't expect. Anyway, had a saddle fitting and he ended up with quite a few horse flys on him while I was riding and he went balistic - first time for ages that I thought I would be flying off through the air. Managed to stay on and dismounted as soon as I could. Anyway this experience slightly un-nerved me as hadn't considered him to be that type, but to give him his dues horse flys aren't so nice. Took him back home and put him in the sectioned off field (electric tape, with electric) next to all the other boys so that they could meet over the fence - anyway he jumped out twice and managed to get kicked after the second attempt !!! Had to get vet out to stitch him and has been kept in ever since with light hand walking to let wound settle.

Not a great start, but on the whole he has been really good in the stable. Tonight I put him out in another field, next to a field with other horses that is wholly post & rail fenced and he jumped out of that too !!! Managed to catch him and put him back in stable but not too sure what to do. Had been told that he had been out on his own before and not been worried, but he is in new environment so am just praying that he doesn't always do this . . .

Also when trying to pick his feet out he waves his back feet around - like he would kick you given the opportunity. Having had one nightmare horse to deal with (who I loved very much) I was hoping for an easier project and am beginning to wonder if I should really stick with horses as am not enjoying the process. The new boy was supposed to be a new start and am worried that I'll lose my confidence with horses - a whole new concept for me as have been never been bothered with tricky horses before, but he is just being a bit rude.

Have managed to agree to turn him out with the YO horse in their own field tomorrow as wound is healing well and he is getting more stressed at being in - I don't want to cause a bigger issue by keeping him in .....

Sort of know that he just needs to chill out and learn about his new mum and home, but just need a kick up the bum. Any ideas on how I can establish a relationship with him before being walked all over - I am also only 5ft1" and he is 16'2 - I've had bigger horses than him before, but he doesn't seem to understand that I need some space - think we need lots of ground work

Anyway, I'll shut up ... thanks for taking the time to read ...
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I think the biggest thing is to get him out in the field and to meet all the other horses, once he knows his position in the herd he should be fine (fingers crossed). This should make things alot more stress free and easier. Let him settle in for a week and THEN you can start on a routine of doing stuff with him...

Take it one step at a time, let him settle in and then he can get to know you and you can start to teach him and mould him into something you want.

The last thing you need is to lose your bottle so just take things slowly. If it doesnt work out then look for something thats been there done it.
 
Hugs hun.

Lots of ground work to establish your space and that you're the boss. Lots of work with picking up feet.

Can you attach electric fence posts to the post and rails to make them higher (and with electricity zooming through it)?
 
He's a new horse in a new environment - he's bound to be stressy. Sounds as if he needs a field mate asap. But remember he may not stay out in the field on his own when YO brings her horse in - so bear that in mind.

Personally I'd stick him out in the field with his new mate and leave him for four or five days - obviously visting and checking him. Others prefer to 'get on with it' immediately. But your horse sounds as if it needs time to adjust.

So, sorry to hear about your other horse - you must be devastated.
 
i think time will tell if you guys are going to 'click'... once he's fixed and getting back into work.

just be careful, lunge before riding, do loads of ground work etc. and don't bang your head against a brick wall if it isn't working for you... like you say, you don't want to lose your confidence for him... keeping your confidence is more important than losing a bit of money.

good luck. keep us updated, and post on here for advice, everyone is ace! x
 
Could you speak to the vet about maybe giving him a low dose of sedalin to get him settled going out? Not so much that he's not got his wits about him though!
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See what he's like with the flies on the lunge. If he behaves really dangerously, maybe think about sending him back. If he's not too bad and you'd be happy to try riding him again, cover him in fly spray and maybe have a trainer with you?
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He's only 4 and is in a strange place with new people, new routine - Id give him a while to settle - maybe if it were me (I dont know your routine, but assuming your routine was like mine), Id keep him in during the day, tie up to groom, generally handle him, don't pick his back feet up high to pick out, leave the toe just above the ground and see if that helps - often youngsters wave feet about if you pick them up too far), turn him out/bring him in with a short stick in my hand to quell any rude behaviour, and leave it at that for a couple of weeks. Also maybe ask him for a couple of steps back whenever you enter his stable/before you feed etc.

If its any consolation, I bought my mare from another user on here, and she was quite ok to turn out alone at her last home but with me she often jumps out, whether in company or not - over electric fences or the metal 5 bar gate. She is a very sensible mare but she was stressy and unsettled for quite some time.
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Edited to say - she doesnt jump out any more - excpt to jump into the next field (bare for fat cob) where she poos and jumps back again!!!
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Do you think it would be worth getting his back checked? Just thinking, new saddle, mucking about when ridden, kicking when picking hooves up are all signs something could be amiss?
 
Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your first horse, you must have been gutted.

I'm with AmyMay on this, it sounds as if your new lad is one that needs time to settle in. Turn him out with a fairly quiet horse and just allow him to relax for a while. Spend time with him just grooming and chatting etc, so that he can learn to know and trust you. To stop him jumping out, should he still want to with a companion, then you could try putting an electric fence approx six foot inside the hedge/post&rail fencing, it is usually enough to stop horses attempting to get out.
 
Did your new boy have a full vetting when you got him? The back checking idea sprung to my mind too. Although that may not explain the jumping out of his field.

If you think his back is fine, then I think a lot of time with him, bonding and getting him to respect your space. If you get to 'know him' on the ground you may have more of idea if he's being naughty and frightened/in pain under saddle.
 
Thank you all for your help & advice - very much needed. I think I may have been rushing things. He will go out with very friendly YO horse tomorrow and I will keep any eye out for any more escapes !!

Back was checked quite thoroughly by saddler and has been fine when I've been to try him

Have probably been trying to do too much with him too soon. I had a another 4 year old quite a few years ago that I bought and left for a month as he was so poor before working him and by that time he was too well !! Will give him a few days with quiet horse and then try and introduce him to group once he's made good friends with other horse.

Will cancel the next saddle fitting for another week (was due on Tues) and lesson next Saturday another week. Only problem is that he's being shod on Monday (shoes just about hanging on) so will just have fingers crossed that he'll behave for my very good farrier - he coped with my mare so should be ok ....

Think with the loss of my moody moose I have built him up to be soo super special and realism is now kicking in !!

Will keep you all posted with our progress but thank you for your words of encouragement - I will sleep a lot better.

S x
 
we got our new horse 3 months ago and despite ensuring i had done all the checks thought i had made a huge mistake for the first couple of weeks.she went berserk first day really agressive and tried to kick ten bells out of my other two.it is only know we are getting to know her and vice versa she has settled and is proving to be a genuine dream horse.give it time ,its very stressful for some horses and hes still a baby
 
It just sounds like baby behaviour, if he is only 4 and been in the same home or not seen much he will act like this. The jumping out of the field is to be with other horses and needing the security.

With the feet just give him time and show him the right way. When my horse was 4 he acted in the same way. It takes time to establish manners but it will come. You'll find it becomes very rewarding.

I have found young horses do not cope with things like flies very well when they are young and get better with age.

Just keep at it, quiet but firm handling and reassurance will go a long way.
 
I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your mare, what a horrible experience!
I too went horse shopping as soon as possible after the loss of my 11yr old and have now had my mare just over 12 months. She is now 10 and is still settling in! She kicked one of her field companions (who was really pushing her luck!) within the first week and it is only now that they are beginning to do more than ignore each other.
Whenever we get a new horse we always give it at least a week to settle into the new routine before expecting anything more demanding than good manners on the ground/in the stable and I think with youngsters you do need to take things slowly to build up their confidence.
I too wondered whether there could be a saddle/back problem which was adding to your dificulties.

Good luck!
 
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