New horse

[madsb]

I recently sold my pony as she needed a quieter life and I want to go out and be competing more. I went to try a few horses and bought a lovely TB gelding. He's been out to competitions, arena hires, xc and everything. (I have lots of experience with these) I had a couple of viewings on him and did everything like jumping, hacking etc. He was an angel. I bought him home and had our first ride in the school. He was so tense and spooky and even managed to have a spook I didn't expect and I came off. I know everything is new to him but I feel like he is so different from when I tried him. Am I just being paranoid because this is all a new experience to him? It didn't knock my confidence at all, I got back on and carried on till he had relaxed. Any encouragement/reassurance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He has just moved homes, met new horses, ( I assume) has a new carer, new environment, nothing familiar around him. Of course he is spooky/nervous. Give him time to settle in.

 

[southerncomfort]

I think we underestimate how traumatic it can be for horses when they change homes.

From his point of view, literally everything he knew changed in an instant. He is likely feeling a bit lost and worried, and will need you to hold his hand until he settles in.

Trust takes a while to build and at the moment, he doesn't know you, or know if he can trust you to keep him safe.

Some horses settle quicker than others, but it sounds like your horse needs you to take things slowly until he feels more secure.

You could spend time grooming him and taking him for walks round the yard, so that he gets to know you and his new environment.

Time spent now getting to know each other, will mean you're hopefully both ready to crack on and have fun when spring arrives.

 

[Red-1]

As you've come off on the first day/ride, I would say to get some help in immediately and have some eyes on the ground. It may be a saddle that doesn't fit, or that the horse is unnerved, or that the horse has stomach pain from moving...

One fall and getting back on is not so bad, but I wouldn't want to risk one unfortunate fall becoming a habit.

 

[madsb]

I think we underestimate how traumatic it can be for horses when they change homes.

From his point of view, literally everything he knew changed in an instant. He is likely feeling a bit lost and worried, and will need you to hold his hand until he settles in.

Trust takes a while to build and at the moment, he doesn't know you, or know if he can trust you to keep him safe.

Some horses settle quicker than others, but it sounds like your horse needs you to take things slowly until he feels more secure.

You could spend time grooming him and taking him for walks round the yard, so that he gets to know you and his new environment.

Time spent now getting to know each other, will mean you're hopefully both ready to crack on and have fun when spring arrives.

Thank you, I think I have to remind myself that he is new to me too as I had my pony for a long time and could trust her completely. But also have to remind myself she was the same when she first came and it took a while for her to settle and get used to things and she hadn’t been broken long! I guess it’s all new and everything takes time

 

[JBM]

I always give horses a week after we move yard before I ride
I’ll do ground work and in hand walks but i think it helps them settle in a new space

 

[madsb]

As you've come off on the first day/ride, I would say to get some help in immediately and have some eyes on the ground. It may be a saddle that doesn't fit, or that the horse is unnerved, or that the horse has stomach pain from moving...

One fall and getting back on is not so bad, but I wouldn't want to risk one unfortunate fall becoming a habit.

I did have someone on the ground watching me and his saddle was recently fitted. I have a family member that is an equine vet so they have checked him over

 

[ChipperKipper]

When I tried my TB at his original home he was calm and good as gold. My first few times riding him at the new yard he was on high alert, very spooky. I had someone else hop on him and she agreed that he was just anxious. It went away quite quickly. The first ride in the school was the worst.

 

[Fieldlife]

It is also a pretty tricky time of year to get a new horse. Lots of horses in long term homes are a bit wired and fed up of the wind, rain and mud at the moment.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I didn’t ever appreciate how much a move can change a horse.
I rode a horse for my employer daily, even went in if the weather was bad on my day off as I knew he’d be stood in, or worse someone else would ride “my” boy!
They gave him to me and I took him back to mine.
What a nightmare. The first hack was horrific, he jogged and spooked into traffic, it was like a totally different horse.
He settled and was fine. When we moved to where we live now he came too, so that time it was just a move, same career, same tack, feed, routine and companions but still he was a disaster. We bounced and spooked and snorted like a complete idiot.
Again he settled and got back to his usual self. That was such a big realisation to me of how badly some horses can take upheaval.
It’s a huge thing.
Good luck

 

[madsb]

I didn’t ever appreciate how much a move can change a horse.
I rode a horse for my employer daily, even went in if the weather was bad on my day off as I knew he’d be stood in, or worse someone else would ride “my” boy!
They gave him to me and I took him back to mine.
What a nightmare. The first hack was horrific, he jogged and spooked into traffic, it was like a totally different horse.
He settled and was fine. When we moved to where we live now he came too, so that time it was just a move, same career, same tack, feed, routine and companions but still he was a disaster. We bounced and spooked and snorted like a complete idiot.
Again he settled and got back to his usual self. That was such a big realisation to me of how badly some horses can take upheaval.
It’s a huge thing.
Good luck

I think now I’ve had time to think I realise how much it could affect him! Think I got so used to just being able to crack on with my pony that it was also a big chsnge for me but we’ve got a lot to learn about each other and it will take time. thank you!

 

[Madzeq]

I recently sold my pony as she needed a quieter life and I want to go out and be competing more. I went to try a few horses and bought a lovely TB gelding. He's been out to competitions, arena hires, xc and everything. (I have lots of experience with these) I had a couple of viewings on him and did everything like jumping, hacking etc. He was an angel. I bought him home and had our first ride in the school. He was so tense and spooky and even managed to have a spook I didn't expect and I came off. I know everything is new to him but I feel like he is so different from when I tried him. Am I just being paranoid because this is all a new experience to him? It didn't knock my confidence at all, I got back on and carried on till he had relaxed. Any encouragement/reassurance would be greatly appreciated!

This sounds difficult but from my experience, no matter the horse, they will behave completely differently for a short amount of time. It seems that he is just struggling.
Maybe try in hand and bonding with him.
If the behaviour continues maybe try a calmer, or speaking to previous owners.
Good luck I'm sure you will get there with him!

 

[madsb]

This sounds difficult but from my experience, no matter the horse, they will behave completely differently for a short amount of time. It seems that he is just struggling.
Maybe try in hand and bonding with him.
If the behaviour continues maybe try a calmer, or speaking to previous owners.
Good luck I'm sure you will get there with him!

Thank you! Although i’ve only had him a week, every ride since that first ride has been perfect! I think i was so hung up on being used to my pony but he’s proving to be a real delight that’s really looking after me!