Potential New Horse Thread - Vetting Today!

[meleeka]

You don’t sound nervous, just sensible! He sounds pretty normal and I think you need to give your head a wobble and stop over analysing Getting someone to help starting off sounds a good plan, if only to help your confidence that you are on the right track.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

You don’t sound nervous, just sensible! He sounds pretty normal and I think you need to give your head a wobble and stop over analysing Getting someone to help starting off sounds a good plan, if only to help your confidence that you are on the right track.

You’re bang on! If I had £1 for every time someone told me to stop over analysing something I’d be a millionaire I think I’m in a settling in period too

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Buyers regret. Totally normal. I do it every time. Cling on to your nerve and give it time. Get help so that you don't feel overwhelmed and go easy on yourself.

 

[Squeak]

It sounds like you're doing a really good job with him ASBMO. It is hard when they're young and a bit overwhelmed but it sounds like you're being fair and doing what you can for success. Hopefully he'll settle in quickly and it will just be a distant memory.

 

[View]

Oh wow, ASBMO, he is a stunner. What a face! It’s normal to wonder if you have done the right thing when you have baby wobbles, but by considering getting good help now you are showing that you are up to this.

 

[Trouper]

Just remember to breathe! He's a baby in a strange place - you know way more than he does and what you want. Just teach him gently and earn his trust by soft and quiet repetition.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Thank you all! Had a much more pleasant evening, a very kind lady at the yard said she was happy for me to follow her in when she brought his neighbour in and he was totally cool, even walked up to me in the field which made my heart melt! I thought he would be happier with that so I was pleased she agreed. Walked in his stable with no sticky feet and then was jumpy but quiet and inquisitive, which was super sweet. Didn’t do anything with him really, just stood in with him having a chat with another livery so spending time but not asking anything.

Also had a chat with a guy on the yard who is super experienced with youngsters who said he’d be happy to help me as I asked him whether he had any recommendations, so that’s also worked out well. I said I’ll give him a month or so to settle before I ask anything of him really, but it’s nice to know he’s there if I need. I am absolutely never too proud to ask for help or be wrong, which I feel will be a helpful trait whilst I show Dex (I do like the name!) the world!

Popped some V-Calm (valerian) in his feed and Aloe Vera so he’ll be having both at either end of the day - can’t hurt! Also took my hat and a lunge line for turning out, and my steel toe caps arrived! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

 

[Bluewaves]

Dex is a great name. I hope you keep it for him x

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Just catching up. He’s gorgeous. Glad he seems more settled now xxx

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Day 5 photo dump! Much more positive day than yesterday, no issues at all. I absolutely love the inquisitiveness that’s coming out in him, he was super keen to make sure I was poo picking to his standards. You’ll see from the video of him walking that he seems to have pulled a hamstring or similar, which by the sounds of the shapes he was pulling today in the field isn’t wholly surprising! Got a little feel of his back legs and nothing feels hot or looks swollen so I’m not worried. Lovely manners in the stable developing re: personal space and starting to let me get a good rub all over his face.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

 

[Barton Bounty]

Awwww he is adorable

 

[southerncomfort]

I love that he's leaving his pals to come and see what you're up to.

That sort of inquisitiveness is something I always look for in a youngster.

 

[Trouper]

He seems very relaxed already!!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

He's here!! Time was amended to 9:30 this morning, and they arrived at 10am. I'm thrilled with him, he is still such a baby but everything the dealer said he would be. He decided he wanted off the box with only one door open, but after a journey like that who can blame him! Walked around the corner, into the box, had a wee and started eating munching away. Chucked him out into the field 30 mins later (he will have a friend, just seeing what he's like and who will be the best pair for him), no dramatics, looked at the tractor but not the walker/hanging plants which he walked under/machinery etc, met his neighbours no fuss and had a run around then head down for grass! He even stood in the field with me very patiently while the YM ran tot put the electric on. I'm not all that confident I'll catch him easy, but I'm heading up early just in case - he has a field safe headcollar on, but I think he feels a bit like he's not sure he can trust people at this moment because they keep putting him in boxes for hours!

When the transporter arrived he said 'you've got a highly strung one there' I was thinking oh god, what have I done!! But he's just had a traumatic couple of days so hopefully he gets his feet under the table soon enough. I know they all do in the field, but for a big lad he's got some movement! I'm also happy to see his feet looking a lot better than in the sales photo, Adam did say he would see the farrier before being delivered.

Lots of photos as reqested:

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Just caught up, he’s gorgeous

 

[J&S]

Your horse looks happy, you are on the way now!

 

[ozpoz]

Oh he’s lovely! Congratulations ASBMO!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

YM surprised Dex with his first stable plaque yesterday, very cute! We have a lady coming to do a light groundwork session with us later on, quite looking forward to it!

I have found ALL the scratchy spots, he loooves having the hair brush run all down his neck and chest. He even pawed at me when I stopped which of course is not ideal behaviour (I gently corrected) but is also very sweet in a roundabout sort of way.

 

[Barton Bounty]

YM surprised Dex with his first stable plaque yesterday, very cute! We have a lady coming to do a light groundwork session with us later on, quite looking forward to it!

I have found ALL the scratchy spots, he loooves having the hair brush run all down his neck and chest. He even pawed at me when I stopped which of course is not ideal behaviour (I gently corrected) but is also very sweet in a roundabout sort of way.

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He is adorable thats a very sweet way to get your attention!!! But a positive note means he is listening to you he is just lovely

 

[IrishMilo]

He really is gorgeous. In a year and a half he's going to be something totally unreal.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

He really is gorgeous. In a year and a half he's going to be something totally unreal.

Thank you - Oh gosh, I hope I can do him justice!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

So tonight confirmed that I really have picked something special in Dex - I had a lady come out to do some groundwork with him which was the plan anyway but I had bizarrely found myself getting really quite anxious when I was leading him - and I have never had an anxious bone in my body with horses much bigger and 'naughtier' than him. It was for a multitude of reasons but the main one simply being overthinking. I wasn't sure what to do to lower his anxiety, I was worrying about what to do if he wouldn't go back in the stable and as I didn't yet know his pressure threshold and I was worrying about losing him because there are broodmares about to drop in the field up the path, and as I am alone up there in the evening, what I would do if he went through me or struck out as I wasn't yet sure of his reactions - stupid right?!

Anyway, lady came and took him in the school which he hasn't been in before, which is on the way to his field which he gets really excited for. There was enough going on to liven up an established horse, two horses in the field over the walkway galloping up and down, dogs running loose, someone watering plants in the house next door with a hose, birds taking off and landing and really he took it all like an absolute dude. She basically said to just walk around with him, at his shoulder and let him decide where he wants to go for now, and then when he stops with head up and fixates on something, to just be with him and wait for his anxiety to drop. So that's what we did, he did go to take off when the horses took off the first time, but he didn't go through me or kick out, just went to take off - fair enough reaciton I would say at this stage. He then essentially self-corrected when he got to the end of the rope and calmed right down, the other four or so times he then pretty much took no notice at all.

The bit I really love is that it's becoming evident he is a real thinker before he reacts, he is also super interested and inquisitive and his confidence is slowly coming out. Immediately wants to put his nose on something and sniff it - the mounting block, wheelbarrow, poo scoop, jump wings, floodlights etc. Noises are what makes him jump but the reaction is small and contained. He also actively wants to be with me and followed me when I went to pick up his poo or what have you which I also really like.

So long story short, I feel a million times better just in one session, he is super and a real good egg. I am so excited for his future! You can actually see the change in his body language from the beginning to the end of the session.

 

[nagblagger]

Brilliant update, - with photos, he looks so relaxed.

(learn from this thread ycbm )

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Brilliant update, - with photos, he looks so relaxed.

(learn from this thread ycbm )

I like to keep the people happy (it’s more so that selfishly I have something to look back on - apologies in advance if anyone gets sick of the sight of this thread!)

 

[JBM]

I love the updates! A little Irish lad in England! He’s flying

 

[MereChristmas]

I like to keep the people happy (it’s more so that selfishly I have something to look back on - apologies in advance if anyone gets sick of the sight of this thread!)

Next year this thread will show you how far you have come

 

[Barton Bounty]

You are doing fantastic! Stop doubting and overthinking

 

[Trouper]

It's amazing how different personalities teach us as much as we teach them. Sounds as if you have got a real partner there.

 

[ycbm]

So tonight confirmed that I really have picked something special in Dex - I had a lady come out to do some groundwork with him which was the plan anyway but I had bizarrely found myself getting really quite anxious when I was leading him - and I have never had an anxious bone in my body with horses much bigger and 'naughtier' than him. It was for a multitude of reasons but the main one simply being overthinking. I wasn't sure what to do to lower his anxiety, I was worrying about what to do if he wouldn't go back in the stable and as I didn't yet know his pressure threshold and I was worrying about losing him because there are broodmares about to drop in the field up the path, and as I am alone up there in the evening, what I would do if he went through me or struck out as I wasn't yet sure of his reactions - stupid right?!

Anyway, lady came and took him in the school which he hasn't been in before, which is on the way to his field which he gets really excited for. There was enough going on to liven up an established horse, two horses in the field over the walkway galloping up and down, dogs running loose, someone watering plants in the house next door with a hose, birds taking off and landing and really he took it all like an absolute dude. She basically said to just walk around with him, at his shoulder and let him decide where he wants to go for now, and then when he stops with head up and fixates on something, to just be with him and wait for his anxiety to drop. So that's what we did, he did go to take off when the horses took off the first time, but he didn't go through me or kick out, just went to take off - fair enough reaciton I would say at this stage. He then essentially self-corrected when he got to the end of the rope and calmed right down, the other four or so times he then pretty much took no notice at all.

The bit I really love is that it's becoming evident he is a real thinker before he reacts, he is also super interested and inquisitive and his confidence is slowly coming out. Immediately wants to put his nose on something and sniff it - the mounting block, wheelbarrow, poo scoop, jump wings, floodlights etc. Noises are what makes him jump but the reaction is small and contained. He also actively wants to be with me and followed me when I went to pick up his poo or what have you which I also really like.

So long story short, I feel a million times better just in one session, he is super and a real good egg. I am so excited for his future! You can actually see the change in his body language from the beginning to the end of the session.

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You bought a good one there

 

[splashgirl45]

I for one, can’t have enough pics and updates so I can live horses through HHO. I now have hardly any contact with horses..and it’s hard to cope with