personality change in my 4 year old since backing, now hes getting dangerous

I bought the horse just turned 2, I knew his breeding was exceptional so he was brought to become a competition horse in the future.

Yes I will ride him at the levels im confident at but should he progress further he will be ridden by a professional rider.

The trainer who is already a professional rider, rides and schools to a very high level so the horse is used to being ridden very correctly so it would not be fair for me to ride him at the moment as this may intefere with his progression as my skills are not fine tuned like the trainers.

I always knew he was likely to be talanted, just not as talanted as he is.

I understand some people may not see the need for him to reach his full potential just because he has the talent, but i do not agree with this, its just a case of making sure it is done correctly.

After long conversations with various people today its been concluded that the work wasnt an issue for him it was more likely the return home to a completely different routine which has thrown him a bit.

Therefore his routine has changed but still includes a good turn out period daily with his friends and a different approach in the way we handle him. I will let everyone know over the next few weeks if its worked or not.
 
Sounds like you now have some firm plans around his continuing education which will hopefully do the trick. And why on earth should you not want to see him achieve his full potential?? I imagine it will give you huge pleasure and I'm guessing is what you bought him for. You're also clearly concerned for his well being and there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't progress to be a happy contented horse as well as a fabulous competition horse all being well! Sounds to me like a change in routine has unsettled him a bit and he's a bit confused and acting out

Mine had some issues as a 5 year old - in his case he had been over cooked as the people that produced him had seen some potential in him (I believe he was competing BE Novice by this stage). This resulted ultimately in extreme napiness and him spending most of the time on his back legs for a period of time! Had got to the stage where he couldn't even leave the yard, in fact destined for the meat man (previous owners, not me!) had my YO at the time not stepped in. Not the same situation but the key to him was consistent handling. He wasn't turned away - to me there's always a risk that a complete monster comes back in! He was ridden every day without having too much asked of him until he relaxed again and learned actually that the rearing wasn't achieving anything - he could stand on his back legs all day long, he'd still have to leave the bloody yard! I bought him from YO 2 years ago and have never regretted it for a moment. He's an absolute poppet - hacks out alone, hunts, team chases etc (I didn't buy him to compete so have been fortunate to end up with a great horse due to being in right place at right time ;))


Anyway, best of luck with him, he sounds like he's going to be a bit special. Do keep us updated on his progress! :)
 
Patch1234 I have not read the whole thread but just wanted to say I hope he settles soon and you have loads of fun with him, I would love you to post if you feel you can face it and let us know.
 
It sounds to me as though your horse is not respecting your space firstly and is being a bit bad mannered, I think handling your horse would be alot safer if you reminded him to keep out of your space.

I'm not suggesting you do anything horrible to him, but when doing his rug up for example, when he comes round to bite or nudge you with his head let him bump into your elbow, eventually your horse should realise its not nice bumping into your elbow!

I wouldn't worry about how your horse behaves on the lunge, some horses really like a buck and a mess about on the lunge, rather that than whilst you are riding, most horses settle down, they just need to get the whizz out of them first, if it's safe I would be inclined to just let them have their funny five then ask them to settle down, most horses will quickly tire anyway and will then focus on what you want them to do.

Hope this helps
 
This!!!

OP whats more important - the sanity of your horse or the rosettes?


littlelegs said:
Ops horse has gone from nothing, to jumping 4' spreads, xc, & lateral work in the space of 12weeks. Whatever you think about working young horses, that's an awful lot to learn in such a small period. Maybe some horses can cope with that, ops doesn't seem to be one of them. Weaving is a stress behavior, not a quirk. Most newly backed 4yr olds are pretty compliant, they're still finding their feet, so the fact it behaves in ridden work means nothing. Just because its physically managing, doesn't mean it mentally is. And if just put down to being a quirky comp horse, then sooner or later the ridden work will suffer too. If he's aimed at badminton, then why risk all that potential for the sake of having an accomplished 4yr old who isn't mentally mature enough? (not aimed at you op, more those saying its normal comp horse behavior).
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Wow, this has exploded since I read it the other day?!?!

Patches1234: I hope you have made some progress so far.

I know others have already said it and you're metioned it as something to look into later but PLEASE get his checked for ulcers. My very very first thought at his behaviour was 'classic ulcer' behaviour.

If he's as athletic and talented as you suggest he will have found everything asked easy, and some horses ENJOY the challange. The speed at which he has been brought on may well have been approproiate for him.

HOWEVER no horse enjoys being stuck in a stable with no turn out at all for 12 whole weeks, in a new enviroment, doing strange and challanging things with people he doesn't know.. I supect he's found the change in routine, not the work load, extremely stressful and upsetting. Being ridden may well have become the highlight of the day as it gave his mind someone else to think about.

It's been proven that more than 80% of racehorses have ulcers, due in part to their feeding but mostly their lifestyle (high stress, little turnout, no friends. Your horse, even with adlib hay, is a prime cadidate for ulcers and now he's showing classic behaviour. My very first port of call would be to get him checked out.

Getting a scope done costs about £100-£150 (depending on your vet). It can be done at home and takes only the length of a sedation. Gastrogaurd is £25 a tube/day and you need a 6 week course to be fully effective: very expensive if not required :eek: But very effective is it is needed and insurance will usually pay for part of it (although many now have it excluded as a specific clause due to it's ridiculous price!)
 
It's always the best horses that get "overcooked". They show so much potential and are so keen to comply that the humans push and push and push. I was guilty of this as well which is how I learned that it was too much for my particular horse. I should have given her a break BEFORE she "blew".....in her case she started rushing the jumps and it took time out plus re-starting extra slow to get her back on track. So if I were in your position I would give the horse a good holiday - at least a month, if not 2 - then do some slow fitting work, riding out and about getting him used to different sights and sounds, before re-commencing schooling......if you give him time at this end of his career you will reap the reward with extra years at the other end.....but of course it is totally your decision.....time will tell. I do hope in 20 years time you are posting about your lovely schoolmaster!!
 
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