'New Horse Syndrome'

[rachier]

Does this really exist??

Cos i think ive got a major case ov it!!

Dont know if i love or hate him!!!

No really .... hes lovely but hes not my old horse

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

Yes, it exists!!! Still got it after 4 years, as well.

I miss my old boy very much and wish that my latest (can't call him new after 4 years) was more like him. But he's not, I've got him, I'm stuck with him (no other fool would buy him!) so I've got to make the best of it. And I do love him really!

I'm sure you'll be fine in a bit, especially if your new horse is lovely.

 

[badgerdog]

I've had my new boy for over 3 months now and I still feel like that but I think I've got to the point where I love him more than I hate him! I still have my old horse who's now semi retired and I could just cry that I can't make him younger and be like he used to be because he's my perfect horse.
New boy drives me mad but he's growing on me and he has many good points. I'm sure you'll grow to love your new horse, it'll just be in a different way to how you were with your old one.
Good luck and keep in there, it will be worth it in the end (well that's what I keep telling myself!)

 

[minerva]

my old boy died shortly after i got Jack ,and Jack was difficult for me, a total opposite horse, but i grew to love him even more than i thought possible, now he has died i really worry about the how i will feel about the new horse i get, can i allow myself to love them that much again?
I geuss they are different and tug at your heart strings differently, much the same as kids (not that i have any)

 

[Sophiesmum]

OMG - I thought it was just me! Have had the boy (on extended trial) for a couple of months now, am sure he will stay, but did admit to a close friend when I had only had him about 3 weeks that I didn't really like him! How mean am I! He is a baby and is getting better every day, but he isn't my old broken horse! I do like him now but I cried absolute buckets about my old mare, and feel that I wouldn't be upset about him in the same way. Saying that though, I think I like him now and he really is being a good boy and just try not to compare him to the old horsey.

Good luck to everyone out there in the same boat!

 

[Damnation]

I had it with my new mare. (Had her a year now!)
I had a Tb on loan whom I loved but due to circumstances I gave him back. Poutu was nothing like Stan. Stan was a 3 year old, 16.2hh and was so laid back and relaxed, nothing phased him.
Potu is a nappy little dainty 5 year old 15.2 TB that was raced. She is flighty and can buck something rotten! Now that I know her little quirks and we have gotten to know eachother I can now say she is with me for life! I am confident with her and she is starting to trust me.
If it was a toss up between Poutu and Stan. Poutu would win anytime!
It just took me and Poutu a while to bond

 

[Kenzo]

Don't worry it takes time to get over a previous horse and get on, bond and fall in love with a new horse, specially if there not quite as affectionate or as well behaved as your previous one.

Every horse has a different character, just like people which I'm sure you know. Some let it shine through, some you have to dig deep and let them get to know you before they show you what they are really like. Even the grumpy ones can have a character which you can love.

All I'd say is give it time, never ever compare your new horse to any of your horses you've had in the past, that is where you are going wrong and will get all stressed and worried about the whole thing and will only find negatives specially if your other horse was pretty much a total jem.

Think about the future, stay focussed, work hard and look after him/her as best you can and you'll soon get to know each other and bond in time and before you know it you'll be kicking yourself wondering why on earth you posted this post.

Honest, you'll be fine cos I went through the same thing, it can take a good year before you really settle with each other.