New horse - Saddling/kicking/bucking

[Magicmillbrook]

Hi - posted yesterday with my horsey problems - to recap new horse, 5yo TB, Passed vetting, week trial was fine was sold a 2nd hand saddle to bring home with her, rode her twice after getting her home, showing extreme reaction to saddles and being askeed to trot. Suspended riding for nearly two weeks. Had V good saddle fitter out Tues, now has well fitting saddle.

Last night tacked her up very patiently - not too bad. Walking fine, a little initial resistance to trotting then fine. Tried canter - not happy at all, bucking, fly kicking,squeaking and at one point went up, did break into canter at one point and looked fine, however when asked again on the other leg she was not having any of it.

Question - do we carry on with walk and trot for a while to try and build up her confidence that this saddle will not hurt or do we stop riding again until we have had her checked out. My usual back person cant come out for 2 weeks!

I am concerned that the longer this gets left the less comeback we will have on vendor should something be amiss (we did have bloods taken during the vetting BTW). She looks total sound, is lunging sound and is sound in hand. The saddler noticed her right hip is slightly higher than her left in trot, however was not ovely concerned. he has no obvious sorness or injury.

Helllllllllllp

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I would wait till her back has been checked, but would also contact the vendor to explain what has happened and finding re: saddle etc...

 

[vicm2509]

I would also wait. If she does have a problem with her back riding with the saddle on may be causing her pain and she will keep associating the saddle with pain which in the long run will cause you more problems. It may be that her back is just still a little tender due to the ill fitting saddle, I had this problem when I got my guy as previous owners rode him in ill fiting tack.

Hope shes ok

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
not happy at all, bucking, fly kicking,squeaking

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like exuberence and a bit of resistence. I would just carry on quietly as normal. It will be interesting to see how she is on a hack

 

[charlene]

Hello
You dont mention how long ago your horse was broken in? If she has had less than a year of schooling you cannot really say whether the horse has a physical problem or is just being difficult, trying it on by testing your leadership skills or just trying to find its feet at a strange new yard and envioment. I myself school horses and show them for people and five years of age is a difficult age for many horses. They are coming up to full maturity but just are not quite there yet. Problems like the ones you mention usually resolve themselves with firm but fair leadership. I myself had the same problem with my five year old gelding. I too went through the process of having his back checked etc etc but no problems. Some horses are more difficult than others and five years old is still very young. You dont mention your level of experience, but a young thoroughbred is highly strung by nature and exuberant, has lots of energy and likes to let of steam. Think of the level of excercise a horse of this age/breeding can cope with. Time off work whilst you thought your horse had a back problem only increases the horses desire for excercise. Most problems or so called vices all arise from the horse not receiving enough excercise. I would continue riding for at least another couple of weeks, firmly and fairly riding through the bucks etc. When a young horse finds something difficult and is a sensitive soul he soons gets upset and frustrated that he cant get it right. Some horses always prefer to lead on one leg it does not mean he has spine, muscular problems. Hope this helps you.