UptodateK
Active Member
Hi everyone, it's been a VERY long time since I last posted here, but I visit most days, and could just do with some advice/thoughts/perspective from the forum.
To give some background: I bought a (just turned) 8yo ISH gelding about 3 weeks ago from a dealer (with a good rep). He'd just come over from Ireland and had only hunted, still very green in the school, but a very sweet, relaxed, chilled out boy. He had very little topline, and needs to be built up in this area. Since I've had him I've done a mixture of schooling, lunging with the equiami, hacked out (once) and been to a xc clinic with my instructor. He's worked on average 4 times a week, for 30-45 mins (20 mins with equiami). I had my saddler out during the 1st week and he's currently in the GP I had for previous horse, but with a prolite pad underneath. Saddler says saddle (K&M m/w fit) fits on shoulders but too wide for withers due to lack of topline, so to ride with pad for 3 months and then re-visit.
Here's my problem....
since last Wednesday he has become increasingly nappy and difficult to ride. When I first started riding him in the arena he went forwards nice and relaxed, I had a lesson with my instructor and again, no issues apart from occasionally napping to the right sometimes when we were on the left rein (my right leg is rubbish and I have to really work on keeping it on). But other than that he was fine - sometimes a little spooky, but nothing unusual or concerning. But now, he will bunny hop and try to bronc almost as soon as I ask him to trot forwards. He'll break forwards into canter, toss his head and want to charge around. I just sit quietly, keep my leg on and praise him when he does settle, but then that will only last a few strides before he starts to bounce around again. I tried working him in the field last night for a change of scene, and he was exactly the same. He exhibited similar behaviour at the xc clinic a week or so ago - was quite nappy to start with and we had a couple of mini-rears and prancing about, but he soon settled once he understood what we were doing. Do I just need to ride him through it?
I've been riding for a long time and am fairly experienced, but my confidence can be quite fragile at times, and it's getting to the point where I'm worrying about riding him because of what he might do. He's also over 17hh, so I need to nip this in the bud now.
My thoughts are:
now that he's settled in he's starting to become confident and throw his weight around, and is being a bit of a stroppy teenager?
he's clingy to the other horses and doesn't want to work away from them?
back pain? interestingly he doesn't behave this way when in the equiami
too much food? he's on alfa and has just started top spec comprehensive balancer (a week ago)
Dentist is coming out this afternoon, but when I had him vetted the vet said nothing to worry about with his teeth. I'm going to cut out all hard feed and just put him on hay (currently on haylage). have a lesson on Saturday, so will see what instructor says.
Am I missing anything?!
Would appreciate any thoughts/advice/similar experiences.
I know it's still very early days, but it's just concerning that he seems to be progressively getting worse every time I ride.
Sorry it's long! Thanks for reading.
To give some background: I bought a (just turned) 8yo ISH gelding about 3 weeks ago from a dealer (with a good rep). He'd just come over from Ireland and had only hunted, still very green in the school, but a very sweet, relaxed, chilled out boy. He had very little topline, and needs to be built up in this area. Since I've had him I've done a mixture of schooling, lunging with the equiami, hacked out (once) and been to a xc clinic with my instructor. He's worked on average 4 times a week, for 30-45 mins (20 mins with equiami). I had my saddler out during the 1st week and he's currently in the GP I had for previous horse, but with a prolite pad underneath. Saddler says saddle (K&M m/w fit) fits on shoulders but too wide for withers due to lack of topline, so to ride with pad for 3 months and then re-visit.
Here's my problem....
since last Wednesday he has become increasingly nappy and difficult to ride. When I first started riding him in the arena he went forwards nice and relaxed, I had a lesson with my instructor and again, no issues apart from occasionally napping to the right sometimes when we were on the left rein (my right leg is rubbish and I have to really work on keeping it on). But other than that he was fine - sometimes a little spooky, but nothing unusual or concerning. But now, he will bunny hop and try to bronc almost as soon as I ask him to trot forwards. He'll break forwards into canter, toss his head and want to charge around. I just sit quietly, keep my leg on and praise him when he does settle, but then that will only last a few strides before he starts to bounce around again. I tried working him in the field last night for a change of scene, and he was exactly the same. He exhibited similar behaviour at the xc clinic a week or so ago - was quite nappy to start with and we had a couple of mini-rears and prancing about, but he soon settled once he understood what we were doing. Do I just need to ride him through it?
I've been riding for a long time and am fairly experienced, but my confidence can be quite fragile at times, and it's getting to the point where I'm worrying about riding him because of what he might do. He's also over 17hh, so I need to nip this in the bud now.
My thoughts are:
now that he's settled in he's starting to become confident and throw his weight around, and is being a bit of a stroppy teenager?
he's clingy to the other horses and doesn't want to work away from them?
back pain? interestingly he doesn't behave this way when in the equiami
too much food? he's on alfa and has just started top spec comprehensive balancer (a week ago)
Dentist is coming out this afternoon, but when I had him vetted the vet said nothing to worry about with his teeth. I'm going to cut out all hard feed and just put him on hay (currently on haylage). have a lesson on Saturday, so will see what instructor says.
Am I missing anything?!
Would appreciate any thoughts/advice/similar experiences.
I know it's still very early days, but it's just concerning that he seems to be progressively getting worse every time I ride.
Sorry it's long! Thanks for reading.