New horse

madsb

madsb

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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! 🥰
 
Did you have him vetted and bloods drawn? If it continues I'd get the bloods tested.

There isn't any reason to be concerned yet. You need a connection with him so do lots of ground work, moving him about, having him see you through both eyes, moving off pressure etc. You'll soon see if he's lacking in any education and it'll help him realise that you're a good leader who can be trusted to keep him safe.

I agree that lessons should help you wurk through any issues and someone on the ground might spot something you can't.
 
It sounds like very early days yet, it’ll take him a bit of time to settle and you to settle to him too. ‘Moving house’ and a complete change of surroundings is bound to take a bit of adjusting to even for a horse used to being out and about for short spells.

I wouldn’t be panicking just yet. If you have an instructor I’d be booking in a few extra lessons while you keep getting to know each other better.
 
I think he is very upset by his move, doesn’t know what to expect, no doubt slightly different routine, and he will feel insecure until he can establish a routine and he knows what to expect. Even moving a horse to a different box on its home yard can cause a big upset. So actually moving home is traumatic, and tb’s are bright and sensitive. Usually! He will take time to settle.
 
Definitely give him time to settle, and very good advice about finding out about his previous routine. Worth finding out too if he has moved around much, stayed away at places etc. Good luck and look forward to hearing more as you get going.
 
humblepie said:
Definitely give him time to settle, and very good advice about finding out about his previous routine. Worth finding out too if he has moved around much, stayed away at places etc. Good luck and look forward to hearing more as you get going.
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All the horses I ever had, I used to start as I meant to go on. For me that was ride them on day 2.
 
Several years ago I sold a beautiful Polish WB to a lovely young lady who lived at the other end of the country to me. I was very confident this horse would be perfect for her (a confident slightly more than novice rider) and that she would be perfect for the mare. She came up and stayed overnight, tried the mare in several different situations, had her vetted by a very thorough local vet (not mine). She was delighted and I was delighted. Off went the mare to her new home, complete with care instructions from me, including not to over feed etc. as mare was a very good do'er.

Well! What a nightmare that first month was. After a few very excited and happy emails from the buyer extolling the horse's virtues it all went completely a**se up! The mare would not stand to be mounted, she was jogging sideways, spooking at stationery vehicles and even those pretty little front feet were starting to wave about indiscriminately. I was mortified and offered all the advice I could to try and figure out what was going on. Everything seemed Ok, but the mare had seemingly lost her mind. I agreed to arrange for the mare to be collected and said I would fully refund when she was back in my care. The new owner was very grateful but sad too that it hadn't worked out.

She sent me a picture of the horse and the companion pony she had grazing in the field....ankle deep lush green cow pasture! Telephoned her to immediately remove from the pasture, keep in on minimum rations for a few days and then try again and put her on more suitable grazing. Voila! Within 48 hours she had the horse she bought. That one very small detail, the lush grass had turned the poor mare inside out. I had assumed by saying not to over feed etc. she would know not to sling her out on lush summer grazing. Never assume anything is the motto. Good luck OP, sounds like all sorted now. ☺️
 
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