wilkinson1
Well-Known Member
I wonder if I could have any advice please as my nerves are taking over and I struggling to be rational about my situation
I spent a very traumatic year looking for a new horse and just as I was about to give up, I found a lovely quiet (almost horizontal he was so laid back) all-rounder/hunter who was a tad bigger than I wanted at 16.2 but because he was so quiet it didn't really matter. He was utterly perfect at viewings and passed a 5* vetting. Vet commented how lovely he was and would make an ideal police horse. Owners were selling as he basically didnt have enough about him for the job they needed him to do.
He was perfect for me, a proper kick along with manners to burn. I couldn't wait to get him home and at last felt like I had found the one.
The first 10 days - 2 weeks he was lovely. Chilled out on the ground and to ride, respectful, nice to handle. Around the 2 week mark, he started to become a bit 'looky' at things (both ridden and on the ground). Examples are seeing something in the trees opposite his stable and growing a couple of hh and rushing back and forth to the door to look, being utterly terrified of a new large water bucket in his field (as he kept tipping over the trug style buckets) - he still wont drink from it, being spooky to lead (being very alert and jumpy at things), being spooky out hacking (Is totally happy to go out hacking alone or in company and seems to enjoy it, just is looking at things more now). At first I thought this behaviour was just him settling in (although surely he would have been like it from the start if he was struggling to settle?) but it just doesn't seem to be settling. He will have days where he is better but he just seems so much more alert/on edge than he was at his previous home. I have had him just over 4 weeks now. Surely he should be settling by now?
I spoke to his old owner to get some insight and she said she was very surprised as they couldn't get him to liven up at all - that was the only reason they were selling as they wanted something with a bit more about it. They said he was never bothered about anything remotely when with them (they had him for just over a year fresh from Ireland). Ironically one of the things that I honed in on at the viewing was that he settled perfectly when they first got him as if he had always been there.
I am really battling with my confidence now and am getting quite emotional about it as I have been looking forward to this for so long and it feel like it has all gone wrong. I am having a weekly lesson with an on site instructor which really helps, but since he started worrying, the next day the nerves come back. I got my instructor to come with me and watch me handle him from the field, getting ready etc and he behaved fine. Was that just a good day or was it because I was more confident as had my instructor there? I am fully aware I have to be the leader and not show my nerves, but I am adamant that I wasn't showing any nerves at the point where he started worrying about things - I was really enjoying the whole experience and thought we were getting on great.
Anyway, I am hoping he settles back down and goes back to being the chilled out calm horse that I bought or am I being unrealistic? I spent a fortune on finding and buying a horse that was so quiet as I knew that was what I needed and I really don't think my nerves can cope with a jumpy horse
What am I hoping to get from this post? I guess I am hoping for some reassurance or ideas as to why he is doing this and if we will be able to get through it with my nerves as they are. Or is it a move yard situation? Could he just not be settling in the environment? Or is it just not going to work? I honestly don't think he is a silly horse by nature, he really is kind and seems genuine, he just is very on edge.
Thanks for any help/advice/tips x
I spent a very traumatic year looking for a new horse and just as I was about to give up, I found a lovely quiet (almost horizontal he was so laid back) all-rounder/hunter who was a tad bigger than I wanted at 16.2 but because he was so quiet it didn't really matter. He was utterly perfect at viewings and passed a 5* vetting. Vet commented how lovely he was and would make an ideal police horse. Owners were selling as he basically didnt have enough about him for the job they needed him to do.
He was perfect for me, a proper kick along with manners to burn. I couldn't wait to get him home and at last felt like I had found the one.
The first 10 days - 2 weeks he was lovely. Chilled out on the ground and to ride, respectful, nice to handle. Around the 2 week mark, he started to become a bit 'looky' at things (both ridden and on the ground). Examples are seeing something in the trees opposite his stable and growing a couple of hh and rushing back and forth to the door to look, being utterly terrified of a new large water bucket in his field (as he kept tipping over the trug style buckets) - he still wont drink from it, being spooky to lead (being very alert and jumpy at things), being spooky out hacking (Is totally happy to go out hacking alone or in company and seems to enjoy it, just is looking at things more now). At first I thought this behaviour was just him settling in (although surely he would have been like it from the start if he was struggling to settle?) but it just doesn't seem to be settling. He will have days where he is better but he just seems so much more alert/on edge than he was at his previous home. I have had him just over 4 weeks now. Surely he should be settling by now?
I spoke to his old owner to get some insight and she said she was very surprised as they couldn't get him to liven up at all - that was the only reason they were selling as they wanted something with a bit more about it. They said he was never bothered about anything remotely when with them (they had him for just over a year fresh from Ireland). Ironically one of the things that I honed in on at the viewing was that he settled perfectly when they first got him as if he had always been there.
I am really battling with my confidence now and am getting quite emotional about it as I have been looking forward to this for so long and it feel like it has all gone wrong. I am having a weekly lesson with an on site instructor which really helps, but since he started worrying, the next day the nerves come back. I got my instructor to come with me and watch me handle him from the field, getting ready etc and he behaved fine. Was that just a good day or was it because I was more confident as had my instructor there? I am fully aware I have to be the leader and not show my nerves, but I am adamant that I wasn't showing any nerves at the point where he started worrying about things - I was really enjoying the whole experience and thought we were getting on great.
Anyway, I am hoping he settles back down and goes back to being the chilled out calm horse that I bought or am I being unrealistic? I spent a fortune on finding and buying a horse that was so quiet as I knew that was what I needed and I really don't think my nerves can cope with a jumpy horse
What am I hoping to get from this post? I guess I am hoping for some reassurance or ideas as to why he is doing this and if we will be able to get through it with my nerves as they are. Or is it a move yard situation? Could he just not be settling in the environment? Or is it just not going to work? I honestly don't think he is a silly horse by nature, he really is kind and seems genuine, he just is very on edge.
Thanks for any help/advice/tips x