New horse reared :/

[Winters100]

To me it sounds as if you have expected quite a lot of a 5 year old who has come to a new home 4 days ago. You said you are hacking in company, so I would just ask someone else to do the gate for now, and let him get used to where he is and to gain trust in you. The main reason that I now buy older horses is that I am no longer comfortable dealing with the fact that having a youngster means you have to expect the unexpected. For me the behavior would not be such that I would want to send the horse back, but of course this is only true if you are sure that you want a youngster and are confident to deal with the mishaps that come along while they learn. What about having a chat to your instructor and seeing if s/he feels that the 2 of you are a good fit? You say the trainer loves him, but I have previously sold a horse who may trainer thought was amazing, and he was right, it was a great horse for him, but not for me.

If you are sure that you are experienced enough and with the right back up for a youngster then it does not sound like he has committed a hanging offence, so give him time and I hope that you will eventually have a super horse.

 

[[59668]]

To me it sounds as if you have expected quite a lot of a 5 year old who has come to a new home 4 days ago. You said you are hacking in company, so I would just ask someone else to do the gate for now, and let him get used to where he is and to gain trust in you. The main reason that I now buy older horses is that I am no longer comfortable dealing with the fact that having a youngster means you have to expect the unexpected. For me the behavior would not be such that I would want to send the horse back, but of course this is only true if you are sure that you want a youngster and are confident to deal with the mishaps that come along while they learn. What about having a chat to your instructor and seeing if s/he feels that the 2 of you are a good fit? You say the trainer loves him, but I have previously sold a horse who may trainer thought was amazing, and he was right, it was a great horse for him, but not for me.

If you are sure that you are experienced enough and with the right back up for a youngster then it does not sound like he has committed a hanging offence, so give him time and I hope that you will eventually have a super horse.

Thank you. I have had youngsters before, but not of this type.
Instructor is happy I am experienced enough for him, his exact words were "you have the ability and the feel, just stop doubting yourself "
I think I just made a mistake today. Too much pressure, shouldn't have even tried it, and he said hang on a minute I just can't. Lesson learned.

 

[SusieT]

I think he probably is just under too much pressure- a new horse in new home being epected to stand to enter gate code unless they are a very old cob is asking a lot. Break it down, have someone ready to open gate, practice little bits first eg hacking in company, then short hacks on his own when not too fresh, hand walk to gate code, reward for standing still.
don't battle, set yourself up to succeed.

 

[Winters100]

Thank you. I have had youngsters before, but not of this type.
Instructor is happy I am experienced enough for him, his exact words were "you have the ability and the feel, just stop doubting yourself "
I think I just made a mistake today. Too much pressure, shouldn't have even tried it, and he said hang on a minute I just can't. Lesson learned.

This is great. In this case just don't beat yourself up, maybe you pushed him a step too far but no harm is done, and we have all done similar. Take it easy, and give yourself and him time to get to know each other and gain confidence.

I know what people are saying in recommending that you stop lessons, but personally in your situation I would not stop. You don't have to do a huge amount in the lessons, but having an instructor there can help with confidence, and it sounds as if this is what you both need.

Really good luck and I hope that you will have fun with him.

 

[Nudibranch]

Agree with others, he doesn't sound like a problem rearer, just a baby under pressure. If it was a 10yo going up I'd be thinking differently.

My 6yo was a little so and so as an unbacked 3yo just arrived in her new home. Anything she didn't agree with, it was give me a wave.

Anyway long story short she's now a fantastic mare with a sensible attitude who would never dream of taking her front feet off the ground.

I'd say go slowly, allow plenty of settling time and take small steps. Attitude wise he sounds really promising.

 

[Kaylum]

Your new horse is getting use to you. Your way of riding, the signals you are giving. If you are having lessons I would ask the instructor to help you in the next lesson with standing still and opening the gate. He is probably confused.

 

[Northern]

Honestly, it sounds like a "don't know what to do" reaction to a situation he hasn't had to deal with before. I would say not unusual for a horse of that age and brand new to the surroundings. I know its exciting to acquire a new horse and have him going so well so soon after arrival, but echoing a lot of the other replies I think you need to slow down. Forget about the gate for the moment until he's settled more. Then you can break down into small steps to teach him the methods. I like to start with the arena gate, line up at the fence and make sure he stands solid. Once he is standing, go through the weight shifting motions of opening the gate until he is relaxed. Then work on opening the gate. Take as many sessions as needed and try not to get frustrated if he dances around. Sounds boring but will pay dividends in the end.

I think he sounds like a cracker and if you give him the benefit of the doubt I think you will be on the right path soon enough

 

[Red-1]

I have had my rising 5yo for 4 months, he is brilliant, but I haven't asked him to input the gate code yet. I have a fob and use that, as I think, with youngsters, dallying at the gate is a bad idea.

Before we had an electric gate, I would open the gates before we left and risk the security breach by leaving the gate open whilst I am out. If I didn't have a fob, I would have asked someone to do the gate, or had a mounting block temporarily outside the gate.

With previous horses, it has been about 6 months before I used to do the gate mounted (pre-electric). This is the first baby horse I have had with the electric, I guess he would be OK to try but, in our case, the keypad is in a 90 degree corner, so would be tricky to reach anyway.

We are on a program of teaching him to deal with all sorts of life issues, last week was hitting a quintain, today was a flag, we have also done a fitness ball, plastic, a bridge, flag etc. All in a way to build confidence in him and in us as a team. Yet, still I haven't asked him to do the gate code...

 

[scats]

This honestly wouldn’t bother me at all. Unless his answer to everything was to stand up, at this stage I would take the pressure off a bit and work out what the best way to ride him is when he’s napping.
I own a nappy rearer who I successfully hack out alone, so I do speak from experience.

 

[maya2008]

Last year, our rising 6 year old reared four times and spooked properly three times for the first time since he had turned 5 the previous year. Why? Change of rider. Same routine, same field companions, same hacking routes and even a person he knew as his new rider. He just felt unsettled and unsure as everyone rides slightly differently and going up has always been his go-to thing if he gets nervous. I was there to guide the rider and within a couple of weeks all was back to normal.

Your new horse has had FAR more change than ours did, no surprise that whatever his go-to objection when he is stressed has appeared. You have to be aware that this is a reaction to all the change and that he will always have it in him, but handling his anxiety appropriately should prevent it from being part of his everyday behaviour. With ours, ‘kicking on’ past something he is scared of, or forcing a situation in any way will send him up. We have other strategies we use in those situations so it doesn’t get to that point, and I happily put my 9yo son on him without worrying.

In your situation, I would make sure my instructor had experience with a variety of youngsters and would see if they can come and help with the specific issues you have and how to approach them. If not, borrow someone with that experience to help you for 2/3 sessions. Then hack out, lots, to build the bond and trust in you. There is nothing like them having to look to you for reassurance and you successfully providing it, repeatedly, to build a bond.

 

[silv]

He’s in a new place with horses and people he doesn’t know. Sounds like he’s getting overwhelmed, hence the proper rear. Give him a bit of time to settle into things, I think. If you want to ride, have an easy lesson. Otherwise I don’t see anything wrong with just spending time with him on the ground while he gets used to thing.

This.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Unless the horse understands lateral aids I wouldn't try to line him up to do the gate code. All that kind of stuff , moving sideways and lining up to something that in his mind doesn't serve a purpose will be frustrating.
Make life easy for him , make it easy for him to get things right and hard for him to get things wrong and youll improve his patience and confidence.
That spinning and rearing is probably just him being over whelmed and anxious and not knowing what to do if something worries him.
My instructor tells me that when dealing with a young or inexperienced horse, you should think about how to help him deal with situations rather than thinking of it as something to control.

 

[Goldenstar]

He’s a five year old a few weeks ago was a four year old .
Be fair to him he is young inexperienced and in a strange place with strange people. If you don’t want to deal with stuff like this don’t buy a young horse his cost is irrelevant you need to treat him gently don’t over face him .

 

[Caol Ila]

I still haven't asked my Highland to do gates. He might be 11 on paper, but he's basically 4 or 5 training/experience-wise. A week or so ago, I gently started him by asking him to walk up to it and let me nudge it. He trusts me enough to think this is maybe not stupid. For the first few months I had him, he would say, "But you're asking me to walk into a solid object!"

He has a lively spin when has strong objections to something. He also can shoot forward like a rocket, but at least stops quickly. I think when you're working with green horses (and some old horses, lol, Gypsum), that's one of those things you have to accept. It happens. Part of reducing the frequency and drama of such behaviour is developing a zen-like attitude towards it. If you sit there and coolly ride it out, then cheerfully resume pottering down the trail, the horse starts seeing you as a calm leader. If you're not making a big deal out of a thing, it might not be a big deal. However, if you get scared and upset, then all the horse knows is that you're scared and upset. It has no clue that its antics are the thing that's scaring you. It thinks, "She's also scared of that umbrella/gate/log/traffic cone! The world really is super scary!"

Of course, it's easy to sit here and write, "Be calm! Don't be scared!" Far harder to do it when your horse feels out of control. But when you're working with youngsters or greenies, you kind of have to.

 

[[59668]]

He’s a five year old a few weeks ago was a four year old .
Be fair to him he is young inexperienced and in a strange place with strange people. If you don’t want to deal with stuff like this don’t buy a young horse his cost is irrelevant you need to treat him gently don’t over face him .

No. He's 6 on May 11. So is actually technically 6.

 

[paddy555]

No. He's 6 on May 11. So is actually technically 6.

age is but a number. He has learnt to work in a school, he has been trained to gallop, to jump but has he been trained to go hacking? I would guess not. Hacking horses don't just happen they are trained. Little things like ducking under branches, moving around in the saddle as others have said, lying down over his neck, getting things branches and the like caught in his sides, over his bum. Having to stand in difficult places whilst the rider attempts to haul themselves onto a bank to try to get back on. Dealing with traffic, not coping with it but having the confidence to take charge and deal with it on their own. Generally "roughed and toughened up" to life.

Have you done all the things Red suggested in her last post? I do all of those and more besides to teach a horse about the world. What about an umbrella CI suggested, try reading a magazine or newpaper on him is something I have found so useful. You may never want to do that but you may want to do something similar out on your ride and they extrapolate on learning experience and apply it to other situations.

Take him in the school without your instructor and start to teach him these. He will get to know you and learn from you.
Teach him to ground tie always useful out hacking.
Find an easy gate on your yard and get someone to help. Let them unfasten the gate and you just push it. Go round and push it back closed. Next lesson bend down slightly towards the catch, build it up in stages with the helper.

Draw up this sort of program to educate over the next months. It will take time.

 

[[59668]]

age is but a number. He has learnt to work in a school, he has been trained to gallop, to jump but has he been trained to go hacking? I would guess not. Hacking horses don't just happen they are trained. Little things like ducking under branches, moving around in the saddle as others have said, lying down over his neck, getting things branches and the like caught in his sides, over his bum. Having to stand in difficult places whilst the rider attempts to haul themselves onto a bank to try to get back on. Dealing with traffic, not coping with it but having the confidence to take charge and deal with it on their own. Generally "roughed and toughened up" to life.

Have you done all the things Red suggested in her last post? I do all of those and more besides to teach a horse about the world. What about an umbrella CI suggested, try reading a magazine or newpaper on him is something I have found so useful. You may never want to do that but you may want to do something similar out on your ride and they extrapolate on learning experience and apply it to other situations.

Take him in the school without your instructor and start to teach him these. He will get to know you and learn from you.
Teach him to ground tie always useful out hacking.
Find an easy gate on your yard and get someone to help. Let them unfasten the gate and you just push it. Go round and push it back closed. Next lesson bend down slightly towards the catch, build it up in stages with the helper.

Draw up this sort of program to educate over the next months. It will take time.

He's done quite a lot of hacking. When I tried him I went out with one other for 1hr30 around the common, lanes and golf course local to the yard and I hacked him around the premises alone.

 

[spotty_pony]

He will still be settling in, it sounds like you have done a lot with him in a short space of time and it may have made him shut down mentally. You have to ask these type of horses thinks without pressure and break everything up for them. This reaction is usually down to a confidence issue or a fear of getting what is being asked wrong.

 

[Mule]

Thank you all so much for your comments. I wish I could reply to each individually.
Today with the rearing was a hack in company so yes, I could ask the other rider to do it. Maybe I should just take him to the gate in hand to have a mooch about and an investigate on foot.

I think taking him for a mooch around by the gate, in hand is a very good idea

 

[paddy555]

He's done quite a lot of hacking. When I tried him I went out with one other for 1hr30 around the common, lanes and golf course local to the yard and I hacked him around the premises alone.

with another horse in an area he knew?. Around the premises that he knew? He's just very young, needs a lot of confidence, can probably sense you are concerned, in a new place . He may have done your first hack fine but I guess it has all now built up, the excitement of a move has now become reality and he has now become overwhelmed.

Try in hand as Mule suggests. Long rein him to the key pad, teach him to back up, step sideways etc to it. He will be out in front on the long reins so he will have to learn to work it out. Get him just to stand there for a couple of minutes. Then when you get on the basic work of the key pad is done, he walks up, positions himself and stands and waits.

It's all made up of tiny pieces with a youngster. (which he is)


Hopefully the dentist will find something which will help as well. It doesn't take much to upset their head.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Paddy555 - I honestly wouldn't worry about gates and keypads when a young horse has just moved homes.
We spent about 6 months just teaching mine that it's OK for the rider to move in the saddle (he panicked if you moved ) , once he was OK with this , opening gates etc wasn't a big deal.

OP: It is absolutely fine for a young or inexperienced horse in a new home to say "help, I'm over whelmed and dont know what to do ". It is our job as the owners to advocate for our horses and help them in these situations. To start with this means not putting your horse in a situation that is too much.
Let him hack in company, don't worry about gates or keypads (get off to do them ) , make life easy for him and tell him how good and clever he is for every thing he does right : standing still at mounting block, not moving until asked ,.walking quietly past something he has looked at. Try and help him , not over whelm him.

 

[paddi22]

you always have to think of the stress bucket thing. he might have been fine the first day, but his stress bucket was filling. and any tiny little stress is another drop added. in four days he's had to adjust to new turnout, new routine, new herd, etc. he probably isn't even relaxed enough to sleep properly. he doesn't know you really. it doesn't matter how much he has done in his old home, as paddyy555 said, he KNEW that place and those horses. He is communicating with you that he is being overloaded ands he is reacting (in the only way he know how) to say that he's reached his limit. you can't think of how he 'should' be or what your expectations are. you have to take a step back and go at his pace. some just take a while to settle and more stress than others.

 

[twobearsarthur]

you always have to think of the stress bucket thing. he might have been fine the first day, but his stress bucket was filling. and any tiny little stress is another drop added. in four days he's had to adjust to new turnout, new routine, new herd, etc. he probably isn't even relaxed enough to sleep properly. he doesn't know you really. it doesn't matter how much he has done in his old home, as paddyy555 said, he KNEW that place and those horses. He is communicating with you that he is being overloaded ands he is reacting (in the only way he know how) to say that he's reached his limit. you can't think of how he 'should' be or what your expectations are. you have to take a step back and go at his pace. some just take a while to settle and more stress than others.

This. All day long.

 

[Nari]

I'm not going to repeat the excellent advice given so far, but I don't think anyone has suggested this. Since you seem to have a lot of faith in your instructor have you thought of asking her to walk out with you so you can have a hacking lesson? It may relax you and also pick up on any little things you don't realise you're doing, or early signs of unease in your horse that you're missing. She may just tell you you're doing everything right and to chill out, but at least coming from her you'd really believe it and that can have a big knock on effect.

Good luck with him, he sounds super. I wouldn't let it put me off at this stage, and I hate rearing.

 

[southerncomfort]

I think you'll be fine. He sounds like a smashing young horse, he just needs his hand holding for a while.

You're more than capable but it's not unusual to occasionally think 'oh heck maybe I'm not the right person for this youngster', and it's only because we care very much about getting things right that we doubt ourselves.

In a few months time you'll be wondering what you were so worried about! ?

 

[[59668]]

I think you'll be fine. He sounds like a smashing young horse, he just needs his hand holding for a while.

You're more than capable but it's not unusual to occasionally think 'oh heck maybe I'm not the right person for this youngster', and it's only because we care very much about getting things right that we doubt ourselves.

In a few months time you'll be wondering what you were so worried about! ?

Thank you so much this is so kind and exactly what I needed to hear!

 

[Archangel]

Both my experienced horses would probably have thrown a "what fresh hell is this?" wobbly at the gate code the first time.

Good luck, sounds a good horse.

 

[Birker2020]

So I've had the new 5yo for 4 days. Had 2 lessons and he was so awesome. Brave and not at all spooky. Super easy to handle.
Took him up the road and back alone on day 3. Not at all nappy, bold and brave past scary things. On the way home he spotted a truck that wasn't there on the way out and he did some mini rear/spin type things. Managed to stop it escalating and we got past it. Same behaviour back at the yard when I was trying to line him up to put in the gate code and he was confused. But managed it.
Today went hacking in company. Same again...mini rears and spins....at the gate code thing on the way out. Like he doesn't understand and his reaction is this. But...he then put in a really big rear and spin.
Went for the hack and he was so so bold all the way round. Not spooky at all. Did the gate on the way back in and also repeated lining up at the code thing as if we were going back out and managed to manage the situation so we had no rearing. Still had running back and head tossing though.
I'm gutted as you can imagine. He wasn't cheap. I really like him and he is generally so easy so far.
It feels like it's his "I cant" reaction to something he doesn't understand. Or when there's too much pressure. OK he's 5 and I've had him 4 days. But my concern is this will be what he does to many things he's not seen before or has seen but doesn't understand the context of.
I've messaged the seller but of course they will say he's never done this.
Am I over reacting and should I just continue to manage to stop it escalating to full on rearing or should I just say no right here and now? Or give him the benefit of the doubt and time to settle/get brave!
Was 5 stage vetted. Saddler coming on Tues. Dentist coming on Fri

It sounds just like my new horse and issues I encountered with the saddle.

I think he might be reacting to the saddle if the saddle didn't come with him.

 

[tristar]

personally i would have given him a week to settle in and walk around the place, cut down the food and sort the issues, teeth saddle before riding him, plus he is so young

 

[TealH0rse]

Have you done any in hand walking with him to see if it is a general behaviour or a reaction to something happening while you are riding? Take him on an in hand hack and make him stop at gates for codes, take the same time you would have when riding him. May be helpful in observing why he is rearing.