please help with my new horse!!

M

maisie1988

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 November 2012
Messages
67
Visit site
Hi, this is my first time in a forum!

ok ill try keep this sweet lol. im a nerves rider and not a natural either!! i just got a 15hh connemara gelding who is 12 years old.

he hacks out fine in company, first two times really strong but recently been better. i went for my first lesson at a yard 1 mile down the road. my cousin walked down with me as i was nerves. i had a fab lesson.

then i had a lesson booked for yesterday, i hacked him down on my own, i was terrified!! he was ok, but zig zagging and not really wanting to go forward and had his ears back a bit. i finally got to the other yard for my lesson and told her that i was nerves. she asked if i had him vet checked, i said no... so she got me off and looked at his back. she said my saddle doesnt fit, although i got the saddle fitter out? and then was pushing hard on his back, he had no reaction then a little further bag on one spot he was flitching a bit. she told me to get rid of him and he was no good? the first lesson she said he was a lovely mover etc, and this time said he has a bad back, stiff and not right for me as im not confident. but he is so sweet and gentle and the nicest horse i have ever had, he is perfect apart from a bit reluctant to go out alone..

So my questions are ... lol sorry... what do i do about his back and saddle? i dont have loads of money and the saddle man said his back was fine just needs to build muscle.

how can i build muscle without a school to lunge etc and only hacking? could i learn to hack him in an outline, would that help? but the more i hack him will he get sore??

what do i do about the hacking alone thing lol? he rode back really nicely, not strong just perfect... but going out was really hard work and i was nerves!

to be honest im just panicking. ive only had freebees/loan horses and this is my first very own horse, my hole family chipped in to help me buy him. i cant just get rid of him now! besides he so so lovely!

any advice would be great!! sorry to blab lol x
 
The zig zagging and not wanting to move forwards is called napping. However if all he is doing is zig zagging that is easy enough to sort out, if your as nervous as you say then I think he is actually a good Horse for you. Afterall he has new routes to go on, new rider who is also a bag of nerves. He could do alot worse.

Do you carry a whip with you? when he starts zig zagging, kick him on and growl and straighten him up again. If he doesn't listen then give him a tap with the whip on his bum/behind girth area/shoulder. When he does straighten up, praise him. He needs to learn he can trust you. The more you hack alone, the more confident the both of you will feel.

No decent RI would say "get rid" if she suspected a sore back. So I would be getting a new instructor asap (where abouts are you? someone on here could recomend you one) ask their opinion about the fit of your saddle and go from there.

Sounds like you actually have a nice little Horse there.
 
Firstly OP firstly recommend you get a new instructor!

Also

* Get Chiropracter out to have horses back checked
* Build up his confidence by hacking with a buddy
* Can you rent the school so you can lunge etc?
*Lots of uphill trot work can help build muscle

But first port of call is to get Chiropracter out before doing anything else.
 
If you are feeling nervous it is making him nervous. What are you actually nervous of?
Look at it from his point of view. If you, his rider, are feeling aprehensive, then he is going think there is something around that he should be afraid of.

Take charge and be his teacher and leader. Wear a back protector when you hack him. Sing to him, remember to breathe. Say, "Come on horsey, we are going for a ride/lesson, get along there and do as I tell you."

I would get a second opinion on the saddle fit.
 
I also dont see much that is of concern as you relate it

I'd probably go back to the instructor and ask her to elaborate on what she thinks is the problem with the horse's back then mull that over and consult the saddler or a vet if necessary. If you can get some more detail of your instructor's thoughts you could always post here again and see whether the members here think there is cause for concern
 
LaurenBay said:
No decent RI would say "get rid" if she suspected a sore back. So I would be getting a new instructor asap (where abouts are you? someone on here could recomend you one) ask their opinion about the fit of your saddle and go from there.

Sounds like you actually have a nice little Horse there.
Click to expand...

I bet she'll be happy to take the 'rubbish' horse off your hands too...


Change instructor!
 
Get the vet out first to check him over. If he does have a back problem the vet will refer him to physio. Don't contact physios or chiros yourself, anyone decent works through vet recommendation. Don't ride him till a vet has seen him. Then, if vet gives the all clear, get a second opinion on his saddle. Do you have a yard manager or experienced friend who could help you? Once his back & saddle are given the all clear, hack him in company, even if its a friend walking on foot. It sounds to me like because you were nervous, he lost a bit of confidence which is why he was zig zagging & a bit reluctant. He does sound a sweetie though, lots of horses would either become so nervous they didn't go any further, or completely take advantage of a nervous rider.
 
It is a shame you didn't have the horse vetted before purchase, but even a 5 stage vetting is not foolproof.
I would get his back checked by a reputable physio and /or chiropractor. They will recommend exercises to do to help the situation. They will also probably have a look at your saddle regarding fit. They are not saddle fitters but are usually pretty good in identifying problem areas. I note you have had a siddle fitter out but IME there are saddle fitters and saddle fitters!! The physio/chiro may be able to recommend a good one in your area, or they may agree with the view of your original saddle fitter, that the saddle is ok.
You need to sort out any physical and tack problems so you can confidently go forward with your horse.
Work in walk is ideal for building up muscle, especially if you can find some hills to walk up.
You say you are a nervous rider and this can affect the horses way of going and if you are tense it could be you are making the horse tense in his back. Try to find a more sympathetic instructor who will work with you and help build your confidence. You like the horse, which is great, you just need to build on your relationship. Keep us posted. Good luck!!

P.S Don't beat yourself up for being a nervous rider, there are plenty of us out there!!
 
Don't get rid of him just for silly things like that that can be easily sorted, he sounds like a sweetie but no horse is perfect and you'd have a difficult job finding something better!
Get the vet out, then they may refer you to a physio if they think there is a problem.
The hacking thing - he just needs more encouragement. A lot of horses are the same so just be as confident as possible so he can sense there's nothing to be nervous of. (Makesure you wear a hi-viz tabard at this time of year and always take a phone).
 
littlelegs said:
Get the vet out first to check him over. If he does have a back problem the vet will refer him to physio. Don't contact physios or chiros yourself, anyone decent works through vet recommendation.

I was going to suggest vet in the first instance too, but was mindful of your finances. This is probably up to you to decide, but a reputable physio/chiro will always contact your vet before visiting your horse, it is protocol. However, bare in mind that hind limb problems can cause back issues so your vet may be a sensible first choice. If you are insured you can claim for vets fees and physio fees if the vet recommends physio.
Click to expand...
 
thank you for all your replies, made me feel so much better!! he is so sweet, he comes up the stables on his own and just stands there, so easy to lead around, past his friends and doesnt throw a fuss about anything. he is so easy on the ground. he loves being groomed etc, ive never had such a lovely horse, and when my instructor said about his back it all came crashing down!!

the first lesson she said he was a lovely mover, bit slugish at first but she got me to get him going and i felt really pleased and came home on a high. then when i went without my family, i never even started my lesson and she got me off and said he had a bad back and was stiff... dont really understand.

i think ill have to except i need to get a bit of extra money together and have someone come look at his back and check his saddle. he complely worth every penny and deserves to be looked after properly, just flipping money!!

your all right, the fact that my heart was pounding out my chest as we walked down to the lesson, and i wasnt quite sure what to do as he was not wanting to go and putting his ears back, made me really nerves and he just kept going... he could have thought sod this and been really naughty... but he didnt. i think your all right, im very lucky. just need lessons!!

my aunty has rang me just now to say she will transport me to a lady once a week who im told is fantastic. so thats sounds promicing. my current instructor is such a lovely lady, firm but so nice and i really like her... so when she said about his back of course i trust her opionion... but previouse lesson she said he was really great!!??

i will get a back person first i think!!

anybody know someone good lol, i am in Leominster just outside hereford?? thank you much for all your messages!!
made me feel so much better!! i took him for a walk in this howling wind today on his own and he just walked along with me as easy as anything, nuzzling me and was so lovely. i think even if his back was totally ruined, which i dont think it is...really hope not... i would keep him anyway!

made me feel so much better lol, so the napping will improve in time? xx
xxxx
 
Even if money is tight, unfortunately vet fees are one of the costs that must be factored in before deciding to take on any animal. And getting a 'back person' out, without a vets referral would likely be false economy anyway. Firstly because it might not even have a back problem. And secondly there's plenty of charlatans around who'll happily take your money & tell you his pelvis is out.
 
littlelegs... so should i get a vet first? then if he tells me to get a chiro then get one? i see what you mean i back person could tell me there is a problem to keep coming back... im too trusting lol. so vet first?? xx
 
does anyone know the best vet to go with in this area, leominster, herefordshire? and a number to contact them... ill get and arrange it. peace of mind as well!! otherwise everytime i ride not only have a got to be worrying about my nerves but aso be worried he is in pain, so probably best i acept i need to get him checked!! atleast then i know and an move forward!! x
 
Your instructor is seeing you as a bit of a target, maisie. Are you a bit timid IRL? It's significant that the instructor has advised you to sell when you had no family to back you up.
 
If you are very nervous it will transmit to the horse and make him worried and tense too. It is possible that his back has become sore because of tension, not necessarily because of the saddle. Do you have someone who can accompany you when you ride out alone, either on another horse or even on foot? A bit of hand-holding and support is very helpful in the beginning with any new horse. If you have the offer of transport to another instructor then certainly take it, and don't be afraid to ask questions if an instructor says things you don't understand - that's why you are going for lessons after all. Good luck with your new pony, he sounds ideal, but get help right away if you feel you need it, even the most perfect pony can pick up on nerves and indecision.
 
The napping in time will get better, once you have created more of a bond ridden and on the ground he will see you as the leader and therefore trust you. You will also get more confident with him by having lessons. Just stick at it. My Mare was a terrible napper, she would stop and spin, or just plant, kick out in fustration, zig zag. She no longer does any of that.

Vet first.

Is your Horse insured by the way?
 
Sorry, I don't know your area. Try a new thread titled along the lines of 'recommend a vet in leominster'. Vet will give you names if you do need a physio.
 
Keep trying :D

Bought my first two years ago and wasn't overly confident. We have had many things to overcome - hacking alone being one. Like yours, my boy is as genuine as they get but unfortunately he isn't very brave so the confidence has to come from me.

Sounds silly but when I first started to hack on my own I did the same route every day - consistency was key, every day at roughly the same time we did the same block. All the time I tried to visual plodding down the road, I made sure I was breathing deeply and thought about relaxing all my muscle starting from head down to my toes. I talked to him (and to myself) 'you ARE a big brave soldier. We are only going around the block and we did this yesterday' etc etc. When I got back I reminded myself that he just gone around the block and he was better than the day before. After a couple of weeks I did the same route backwards and then started to add bits to the route.

He is much better now although he will never change and will always be a wuss but I am more confident because I have dealt with everything that he has thrown at me and we have got through it all.

More recently we took on the challenge of loading and now we are overcoming the fear of clippers.

I have come to the conclusion that this is what ownership is all about and the nothing compares to the sense of achievement of overcoming these issues.

Good luck!
 
well it sounds like his napping itsnt that bad then, as he hasnt spun around!! so glad to hear that will improve over time and getting used to each other!!

laurenbay thanks for your messages, i insured him the day i got him, but only two weeks ago... can i claim back if i get the vet out maybe? but as im new and not been insured with them for long they prob wouldn't anyway??

9tails.. your kind of right lol, im a total push over, i need to stick up for myself more!! she said he was great on the first lesson then when i was on my own, she decided within minuets of being there that i should get rid of him, and he hadn't done anything lol... but then again she could really think he as a bad back, maybe he does but i think ill get a vet and take it from there!!

you have all given me confidence i can do it!! after she said about his back i was even more worried about riding back incase he was in pain... but now i think ill get a vet and find out for sure!

xx
 
Probably a bit cynical to say this but just a thought. Did you say to the RI when she suddenly announced your horse has back problems and that you should 'get rid, that you would be getting a vet to check out his back?

I would be inclined to say something to her along the lines. 'I am so worried now about his back that I am going to phone my vet and tell them that you (insert name and that they are your RI)has said he has a back problem that is so serious I should 'get rid', and ask them to come out and confirm 'your' opinion.'

It would be an interesting exercise just to gauge her reaction when she becomes aware that you will be relaying her opinion along with her name as a local RI, to a local vet and getting them out to confirm or deny a back issue.;)

As far as I can tell from your posts, the horse hasn't shown ANY indication of a back problem in any way. I bet you I could feel along 8 out of 10 horse's back and find a mildly tender spot. All of which could be of no significance whatsoever, could be tweaked from rolling, could be a saddle issue (easily rectified) etc.
 
grumpyoldmare said:
Probably a bit cynical to say this but just a thought. Did you say to the RI when she suddenly announced your horse has back problems and that you should 'get rid, that you would be getting a vet to check out his back?

I would be inclined to say something to her along the lines. 'I am so worried now about his back that I am going to phone my vet and tell them that you (insert name and that they are your RI)has said he has a back problem that is so serious I should 'get rid', and ask them to come out and confirm 'your' opinion.'

It would be an interesting exercise just to gauge her reaction when she becomes aware that you will be relaying her opinion along with her name as a local RI, to a local vet and getting them out to confirm or deny a back issue.;)

As far as I can tell from your posts, the horse hasn't shown ANY indication of a back problem in any way. I bet you I could feel along 8 out of 10 horse's back and find a mildly tender spot. All of which could be of no significance whatsoever, could be tweaked from rolling, could be a saddle issue (easily rectified) etc.
Click to expand...


agree with this! also good luck, once you fix the problem and then get through it, horse ownership seems all that more rewarding!
 
I too doubt the Horse has a back problem, although it is possible. Without seeing the Horse it is hard to tell. I just don't think the instructor sounds like she is any good, she maybe able to teach. But telling her student to get rid because the Horse might be sore? sounds weird if you ask me.

OP was only asking about insurance as you were a bit cautious about getting back person out due to money. I was just thinking along the lines of if your Horse ever got collic etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top