new horse nightmares

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dmcv1234

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Hello, i am interested to hear if anyone has had bad experiences with new horses and the outcomes. Did you sell or persevere? Did it pay off, did it not? Wont bore you with my issues but am a bit confused at the mo!
 
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You won't bore with your issues ! spill!!

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Yes - spill!
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I bought a mare last year, totally unsuitable, kept her for 6 months, so was enough to put me off horses for life so I decided to sell, she is now in a loving home.

I wouldnt keep a horse that was totally unsuitable or dangerous just because Id bought it, if the horse was in pain etc then yes of course I would work through it, but as for keeping a loopy horse just because I had the misfortune to buy it, no way.

What is wrong with your horse?
 
ok ok. its nothing major i was just wanting to hear other peoples experiences. Ive just had a bad week and the honeymoon period is well and truely over!

Bought a horse who ive had 2 months now. Started off real good and was perfect in every manner. But he gradually getting worse to load to the point on sunday we were going to a dressage comp and couldnt get him in so didnt go. Then the other night i got on walked round to the school and he redoed on the spot with me and got me off from about 7 foot in the air onto concrete
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cant walk at the mo so the girl i bought him off of is having him on loan for a month until i can ride again.

i love him to bits i really do ive just had a bad week but dont really know where to go from here at the mo : (
 
I bought a 5 yr old big coloured horse a few years ago. Turned out he was far too green for me - I am just a happy hacker these days. He soon became very challenging - he was simply bored! He wasn't happy and neither was I, so I sold him to someone who had him professionally trained and he is now doing XC, dressage and all sorts of things which he loves. I bought another horse and we are perfect for each other. Some horses just do not suit some owners/riders and sometimes it is just best to call it a day - horses take up an awful lot of time and cost a tremendous amount of money and if you are not enjoying each other, it can be best for both of you to sell and move on. So what happened to you??
 
Depends what the issues were as to whether I would sell or not...I won't do rearing or bolting but will tackle anything else and get help and advice from an instructor if needed.
My Welshie was a nightmare when I got him and was green, bolshy and did not cope with the move/change of home at all. He seemed to resort back to some wild unhandled thing that hated the world and was terrified of everything. I had to start from scratch with him on the ground and do the whole get him used to, teach manners, flappy bags etc etc along with lunging and long reining. He dumped me a few times because he would strop and nap a lot and had the most fearsome temper tantrums...whole head tossing, bucking, stamping the feet thing!!! I got help from an instructor when he became a bit dangerous with his napping on the roads and she rode him through it a couple of times and then I did the rest. But I was stubborn and determined to get him through all his issues...it is this and my love of him that has got us through and he is a lovely friendly chappy now who follows me around like a lamb!!! I knew that he was the horse for me and that I would get there so selling was not an option because he would have ended up in tins the way he was.
But that was me...everyone is different, but it helped to break all the issues right down and work up from there step by step.
 
What have you been doing with it??? If it were previously well behaved I would worry about the change in attitude.

Is it bored, in pain, frightened, in season?????
 
My instructor always reckoned that some horses will try it on after they have been with a new owner 6-8 weeks. They've settled in to their new environment, know the routine and how they are ridden, and its almost as if they just want to see what they can get away with. Not all horses do this, but I must admit I have had a few that have! I would suggest you get some help - an instructor or experienced friend. Good luck!
 
i have taken him to camp, one dressage comp, taken him x country, been hacking, schooling, lunging and jumping. I have been having lessons min of one a week. He has had everything checked since i bought him, food hasnt changed either. i guess he is trying it on?
 
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i guess he is trying it on?

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Sounds like he's asking you to take a chill pill and take the pressure off a bit.
 
i dont think he is under pressure though. i always vary it (he doesnt do all those things everyweek!), he gets at least 2 days off a week.He is never ridden for that long as he is only 4 so if i school i school 4 around half an hour.
 
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He is never ridden for that long as he is only 4

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Ahh - 4. Definately asking you to back off a bit or just going through the pig ignorant I know better stage of being a youngster.
 
I've just put a similar response on another post. Anyway my boy arrived from Spain and was golden for the first couple of months. On reflection I think he was in shock as his true colours then came out. He got nicknamed Kevin the stroppy teenager or Asbo. He would throw tremendous strops rearing, walking backwards, kicking out, anything but moving forwards. He often wouldn't tolerate me in 'his space' and would threaten me too. But I'm afraid I'm as stubborn as him and wasn't going to be beaten. Also it always seemed to be a teenage strop rather than nastiness. It's taken 2 years of perserverence and lots of tears but he's finally turning into a wonderful, loving horse. Everyone is different and if it's going to knock your confidence forever or end up in a dangerous situation, then it may be best to sell. It may just be that you're having a bad week, so don't make any decisions too soon. Remember too when we move house, we know the score whereas no one's explained to him the situation (not sure how you would), so give him time to find his feet. that doesn't mean though that you should let him get away with things. The first few weeks are vital for setting the boundaries. Good luck x
 
My Daughters new horse was perfect during trial (at vendors yard) but when we got her home she was a night mare under saddle. We found out she had an ill fitting saddle, tried using a milder bit etc etc, went down the usual check list. For us it was a bit of actual pain, some perceived pain, change of home and very likely a good dose of trying it on - she is a 5 year old TB so I guess the horse equivalent of a stroppy teenage girl - perfect match for my stoppy teenage daughter. 4 months on, lots of patience, lots of ground work and they are now getting somewhere (until she injured herself a fornight ago - typical).

So I suppose it depends on how commited you are to this horse - as a 4 year old it sound like you need to step back a bit. We were dubious about taking her to PC camp this year as she was too young, so 4 is very young to be doing all that.
 
the first day i got Archie home i went to get on him in the arena (he was 5 at the time, ive had him 9 months now) and he bronked down the arena with me. It took me two weeks to get him to settle a bit, and i lunged him every other day during that time. After the two weeks i got on him for the first time and he bronked again but this time i was ready for him. He was petrified of EVERYTHING - other horses in the arena with us would make him bronk. I couldnt hack him out as his napping was so bad.

He then started rearing badly with me, id be doing a dressage test at a comp and he'd just stand straight up. Once i started hacking him out he then started rearing out hacking, and will now bolt for home after rearing and spinning. I dont hack him out at the moment as its not doing either of us any good.

I brought him for dressage, and knew he had the talent to go all the way. Id never sell him in a million years. He hasnt reared with me for about 2 months out competing now, and is now geting consistantly high marks.

The hacking dosent bother me, it will come with time - im not going to pressure him into doing it, as even with another horse he will still bolt for home if something scares him. Hes perfectly happy schooling and going out in his field currently - he would DEFINATELY tell me if he wasnt!!

Just to add, hes 17'3 so VERY big when hes being naughty. Ive also got a very good trainer which i try to go to 2-3times a month - hes helped me so much ad really given me the confidence to deal with Archie's issues. Recently out competing i was offered 15k over what i paid for him - so it proves hard work and perseverance really does pay off!! (even if they offered me £100k over what i paid, i still wouldnt sell tho!)
 
4 year olds go through different stages all the time. You may find that the bronking episode is never, ever repeated and was just a one off. 4 year olds are definitely funny creatures.
 
When I first got O he was lovely for a week, and then turned into the horse from hell for a month or so. He would fix his neck and piss off sideways across the school. He would plant and rear (luckily not very high), and would bronk and spin if he could. He had this strange thing whereby when trying to do a 20m circle, as we would come back to the fence he would suddenly spin out and try to go in the other direction (I ran him into the fence a few times and he never tried it again).

He came from a professional yard, and had been through a performance auction as a young horse, and was used to being ridden by men or very strong women. I'm light and small. He thought I would be a push over! I persevered, and (when he's sound, boooohooo) now he is lovely and quite well behaved, and will hack out happily, will even canter in open fields on a loose rein. He still can be naughty at competitions, but thats because he is stressy and hasn't been out much - I'm sure it will get easier for him with more experience.

It does take horses a while to get to know you and or you to get to know them. I persevered as I knew that he was a good horse and worth the time, and I knew I could handle him (I never felt scared on him). If a horse really scared me or I didn't want to get on it, I would get rid.
 
I would agree with the backing off. He's just a baby, there is no need to rush him. If you are planning on keeping him for the rest of his life then youve got another 25 years to ride him. I have a 5 year old. She was backed at 3 and did a little bit of light hacking then turned away. At 4 she did a bit of schooling and hacking, no more that half an hour schooling. Now she is 5 I'm starting to a bit of jumping and hopeing to take her to a few training days and some shows, just to get her out and about this year. They next year when she's 6 start doing things more seriously. But again taking her lead on things. If she not coping just take a step back. If you take your time in the long run you'll have a much fitter horse mentally and physically. Good luck.
 
I got my mare as a 3 year old and backed her at 4. She was great initially, but then became a real cow. She would only behave if we hacked out with company, and refused point blank to do anything at all on her own. She napped, plunged, walked backwards, broke away etc. I sent her away to be professionally schooled and then fell pregnant, so she stayed away for a year altogether. When I got her back there was a definite improvement, but she was still stroppy fairly often. When she got to 8, it all seemed to click into place with her and she became a pleasure to ride - I rode her when I was 7 months pregnant the second time! The upshot is she is now 15 and I still have her. I am by no means a brave or ultra experienced rider and I think it was a bit of stubborness on my part that I wouldn't give in!! She's a great horse and I'm so glad I kept her. 4 is very young still, so maybe your horse would appreciate some time just hacking and messing about? Or maybe turn him away for a little while to get his head round things? Good luck!
 
thanks everyone. I m feeling betterr about the whole thing now and my hip is gettinng better and am now weight bearing on my leg! I cant wait to get back on now. It was only a one off so dont knw why ive got soo upset over it. Thank you everyone for replying though it really has helped! Thank you : )
 
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i guess he is trying it on?

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No, that's not what I would think. I think, at only 4 years old, you are totally blowing his mind! Let him relax and enjoy his young life; that really sounds like too much pressure for a youngster.
 
i dont understand how i am blowing his mind? He is an ex racer been raced since he was 2 now he is with me has a minimum of two days off a week ridden for no longer than 30 mins a day and it is not intensive ie if we hack were mainly walk, shooling is never intense and do the odd different thing now and again? Lessons i have are only 30 mins long.He is out in the field all the ttime unless i think hes telling me he would like some time in his stable. He has no pressure on him to do well or anything, if we go to a competition its to give him the experience and to let him have a nice time. He is completely chilled out and is very happy. The only problem ive had since ive had him was the othernight when he bronked and that was because he spooked at a tractor. The reason for the post was probably an over reaction but i was upset and in pain! So what should i be doing with him?
 
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i dont understand how i am blowing his mind?

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Then you shouldn't have a youngster - least of all one that's been in training since it was 2.

Sorry.
 
As I said in my previous post - and others have said also - it would appear that he is asking you to back off.

He has been in training since a two year old for racing (that would have been pretty damn intensive stuff), you are now drilling him in the school, schooling and having lessons. And it really sounds as if he is saying enough is enough.

If it were mine it would be in the field chilling and enjoying being a youngster until March next year.

The thing about these young horses is that you have to get inside their heads. And if you can't or won't do that then this age group is not for you.
 
I've got a just turned 5 year old, and at times he can be a real challenge and throw amazing strops. I always check everything else before deciding it's naughtiness, but once he sees he's not winning then he gives up (well until he can think of something new to try!) I think they really need time to be babies tho, I like my boy to have time off to play in the field and mature mentally and physically
 
Drilling him in the school? My lessons ARE my schooling which are 1/2 hour a week maybe 2 half hours if im feeling rich. This includes lots of walking to warm up and cool down. The reasons i have lessons is to get a professionals view on what i should be doing with him.I AM NOT DRILLING HIM AS HE IS NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO TAKE INTENSIVE SCHOOLING. If he feels tired we cut it shorter - he dictates what we do.
 
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have taken him to camp, one dressage comp, taken him x country, been hacking, schooling, lunging and jumping. I have been having lessons min of one a week.

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Appols. I took this to mean that you did more school work than leisurely hacking.
 
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