New horse

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Thanks for your feedback on my opinion. The OP posted on here to ask for advice with problems she is having with her new horse. She is clearly not very experienced or she would not have done something so dangerous as trying to hold her horse back when the others trotted off on the road. So she has not been “doing all the right things” as you said. Success will not come from “building a bond”, it will come from learning the right way to manage situations that she currently does not have the skills and experience for - hence my suggestion of lessons with a good instructor or support from a pro rider. Constantly telling people what they want to hear does not help anybody and I find it baffling how so many people on here have such an aversion to constructive criticism.

I totally understand where you are coming from. I was quite a way back from the others when they trotted off and she had never tried to catch them up while walking so I didnt expect she suddenly would while trotting. And I also think that they do need to learn to an extend that they cant just take off when the others do. I actually didnt hold her back I started trotting about 2 mins after they did we were just further down the road ! She set off into full gallop as I started trotting.
I have hacked her out great the last two weeks on my own and rode her in the paddock too. Now how know that she gets like that when the others go faster I wouldn't do it again especially on a road. X

 

[Upthecreek]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I was quite a way back from the others when they trotted off and she had never tried to catch them up while walking so I didnt expect she suddenly would while trotting. And I also think that they do need to learn to an extend that they cant just take off when the others do. I actually didnt hold her back I started trotting about 2 mins after they did we were just further down the road ! She set off into full gallop as I started trotting.
I have hacked her out great the last two weeks on my own and rode her in the paddock too. Now how know that she gets like that when the others go faster I wouldn't do it again especially on a road. X

I am really pleased that things are going better. Your confidence will increase the more you do with her. You will learn more about how she is likely to behave in certain situations and the best way to handle her. Every single first time horse owner makes mistakes in the early days (and anyone that says they haven’t is lying), it’s learning from them that’s important and it sounds like you are.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I think you need some lessons with a good instructor or the way things are going you are going to end up with a horse that you cannot ride alone or in company.

Holding your mare back whilst others trotted off on the road was a bad decision and pretty much setting her up to fail. She is obviously not confident alone due to the napping etc. so why on earth you would do that on the road baffles me. You shouldn’t be put off riding with others, but you definitely need to think more carefully about your actions because that could have been very dangerous.

Have you thought about getting a pro rider to get her hacking out nicely for you? Only going out three times a week for up to an hour won’t help her either. That leaves an awful lot of time for her to be spending with her field mates, which won’t help with the napping on leaving the yard and of course she will want to keep up with the others on a hack.

It sounds like you are going to have to put a lot of work in to make this mare into the horse you want and I think you will really struggle without some professional help.

Very good advice, you want your horse to understand you are making the decisions. As well as lessons when schooling do lots of walk, halt, walk, trot transitions. Use your core and correct seat and position so your horse will learn to always listen

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

How lovely to have a new horse! A few things to consider:

Food - what is she eating and could it be affecting her behavior?
Exercise - is she getting enough both in terms of time and intensity?
Turnout - does she get plenty of paddock time?
Company - was she hacking alone previously only in a place that she knew well. Maybe she needs the company of another horse to feel confident in a new situation?

I would have a look at these things, and don't be afraid to ask a pro for help if you think you need it.

Wishing you many happy days with her.

This is totally true, think about what your diet, change of environment like starting a new school, etc may affect you. With lessons, calm confident riding and not panicking or tensing you will get past this I’m sure as she familiarises her with her new home, friends and of course her new mum!

 

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This is totally true, think about what your diet, change of environment like starting a new school, etc may affect you. With lessons, calm confident riding and not panicking or tensing you will get past this I’m sure as she familiarises her with her new home, friends and of course her new mum!

This is totally true, think about what your diet, change of environment like starting a new school, etc may affect you. With lessons, calm confident riding and not panicking or tensing you will get past this I’m sure as she familiarises her with her new home, friends and of course her new mum!

Thankyou for all advice . I have tried to keep it as similar to her old home as I can really. She lives out all year with me. With a shelter she lives with 5 others. She was a bit of a field ornament for last few months in her old place as they didnt have the time. But before that she was rode about 3 times a week mainly hacking alone and with others. I have been told by her previous owners she is better when she is in regular work. I have been taking her out 3 times a week on little hacks and a bit of rising in paddock just while I am getting to know her. And I have rode out with 1 other a couple of times. And then in the larger groupnon a longer ride twice and both times she has tanked off. The secound time was much worse as on a road.
It is all new to her , she has only been here six week and I think part from the incident when out with the group ( which I feel like she gets over excited ) . She has done well. She napped a bit when I first started taking her out on my own and that has more or less stopped now. My daughter has rode her on lead rein for 10 mins or spinning paddock and she was great. I was leading her the whole time though. She doesnt really have a feed as she is out 24/7 and we have really good grass and she is overweight. I do give her a supplement for her dust allergy in a handful of chaff but that is it.
I am sure once we get to know each other better and shes gets used to her new surroundings she will settle down.
I am also having all the checks on her over the next 2 week. Dentist, back, saddle fitter. I feel her saddle isnt the best fitted to her. So they may help too xx

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Thankyou for all advice . I have tried to keep it as similar to her old home as I can really. She lives out all year with me. With a shelter she lives with 5 others. She was a bit of a field ornament for last few months in her old place as they didnt have the time. But before that she was rode about 3 times a week mainly hacking alone and with others. I have been told by her previous owners she is better when she is in regular work. I have been taking her out 3 times a week on little hacks and a bit of rising in paddock just while I am getting to know her. And I have rode out with 1 other a couple of times. And then in the larger groupnon a longer ride twice and both times she has tanked off. The secound time was much worse as on a road.
It is all new to her , she has only been here six week and I think part from the incident when out with the group ( which I feel like she gets over excited ) . She has done well. She napped a bit when I first started taking her out on my own and that has more or less stopped now. My daughter has rode her on lead rein for 10 mins or spinning paddock and she was great. I was leading her the whole time though. She doesnt really have a feed as she is out 24/7 and we have really good grass and she is overweight. I do give her a supplement for her dust allergy in a handful of chaff but that is it.
I am sure once we get to know each other better and shes gets used to her new surroundings she will settle down.
I am also having all the checks on her over the next 2 week. Dentist, back, saddle fitter. I feel her saddle isnt the best fitted to her. So they may help too xx

There is no such thing as a bombproof horse; sounds like you are doing the right things but some advice from a trainer might ensure you get off to a great start. All horses take time to settle and if she needs to be in regular work to be settled then keep up the regular work. She may be testing you a bit which is why training in the school with someone on the ground will make sure you make her feel secure and confident in you, and will follow your aids rather than making her own choices out of insecurity or a bit of cheekiness. Let us know how it goes! X

 

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There is no such thing as a bombproof horse; sounds like you are doing the right things but some advice from a trainer might ensure you get off to a great start. All horses take time to settle and if she needs to be in regular work to be settled then keep up the regular work. She may be testing you a bit which is why training in the school with someone on the ground will make sure you make her feel secure and confident in you, and will follow your aids rather than making her own choices out of insecurity or a bit of cheekiness. Let us know how it goes! X

Thankyou. Yes her old owner says she likes to test you and once she knows she cant get away with it shes great. I do think that's what she is doing sometimes.
It just worried me when she tanked off as I didnt feel in control. Xx

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

That’s natural

Thankyou. Yes her old owner says she likes to test you and once she knows she cant get away with it shes great. I do think that's what she is doing sometimes.
It just worried me when she tanked off as I didnt feel in control. Xx

Many horses will test you, and responding calmly with confidence will make a big difference. It’s natural to feel your confidence knocked but from what you have said she is just exhibiting quite normal behaviour, as you are just getting to know each other. Just try and sit up, good contact without yanking, breathe to calm yourself, talk calmly to her and she will feel reassured and trust you more and more. It’s tough not to tense up and pull on the reins and lean back but unfortunately that will likely make her more cheeky or fearful. Persist preferably with a good trainer and you will find she will learn to listen to you and respect your aids. Unless you feel really unsafe, just building up the trust and schooling as well as hacking will really pay off I’m sure. Horses are very sensitive herd animals and she may just have felt unsettled and wanting to be with the other horses. Good luck! Xx

 

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That’s natural

Many horses will test you, and responding calmly with confidence will make a big difference. It’s natural to feel your confidence knocked but from what you have said she is just exhibiting quite normal behaviour, as you are just getting to know each other. Just try and sit up, good contact without yanking, breathe to calm yourself, talk calmly to her and she will feel reassured and trust you more and more. It’s tough not to tense up and pull on the reins and lean back but unfortunately that will likely make her more cheeky or fearful. Persist preferably with a good trainer and you will find she will learn to listen to you and respect your aids. Unless you feel really unsafe, just building up the trust and schooling as well as hacking will really pay off I’m sure. Horses are very sensitive herd animals and she may just have felt unsettled and wanting to be with the other horses. Good luck! Xx

Thankyou you are right. I have an really experienced friend at the yard down the road and she is going to be helping me too. I will let you know how I get on. Xx

 

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Just thought would update this after people took time to Reply. She is doing really well I have rode her out with one other horse, and been riding her out on my own twice a week. She has been great. I still dont feel fully confident on her but I am getting there and just going on 45 to an hour hacks on my own. But she has been great. My children have rode her on lead rein on a little walk s and she was so calm.
A girl on the yard who loves her! Has been riding her once or twice on a weekend when I cant ride in a group and said she has been great! So all going much better. And feel I am getting to know her better. I dont just make it about riding I go up and groom her and spend time with her too. I am having a lesson on her in a couple of week so looking forward to that.I have also had all her checks done and got a new saddle and bit. Thanks for all advice. X