Re-starting a 30 year old mystery Cleveland bay

[Gabriella20xx]

Hello- I’m hoping some of you could possibly help me understand our horse Rosey, and I apologise if this is a long story.

For context, I'm 21 years old and me and my family have owned Rosey Flight our pure-bred Cleveland Bay mare since she was 14 years old in 2003. She descends from G.sire MULGRAVE and G. Dam FOREST FIDGET.

She’s a gorgeous horse with a very kind and sensible nature. However, she does not trust people well. We believe she might have had a bit of a difficult life before as the previous owner mentioned to my parents that she was a bought school master, she has some fears about being groomed and was said to hate being stabled. We also believe she was bred- how many times we don’t know but as she is a rare breed of Mulgrave its possible more than once and she also has a sway back- not severe but it's not mild either. (If anyone knows anything about her children we would love to know.)


We haven’t been very active riders* although Rosey is a very sensible girl once tacked and saddled. We are thinking of retraining Rosey and one other horse. But Rosey has always been difficult, if you simply show her your hands, she will pin her ears back and swish her head as if to say “don’t touch!” she’s been like this since we first met her. She isn’t at all dangerous and if you are confident and determined she will give in and let you brush while she eats but it is difficult to work with her. Mostly we let her shed her fur by herself because of this. it’s clear from her distrust when grooming or reluctance to even put a head collar on that she wants an independent life, that’s why we have been inactive riders mostly. I’m sure these are just bad manners that can be trained out but I’m worried it’s something about her past.

Thank you for reading,
gabby

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Has the vet seen her? Her reaction to you says pain to me. I would get the vet out to do a full workover.

At 30, I wouldnt personally start doing anything with her ridden wise, i'd leave her to enjoy being an old horse.

 

[milliepops]

when you say you want to retrain her, what kind of training do you mean?

at 30 years of age she is an old lady and I think I'd be firstly checking that she isn't in any pain, because that might be contributing to her demeanour.

 

[Mule]

If possible I'd let her enjoy her retirement ? she's an oldie now. She's likely arthritic. At 30 I'd be surprised if she wasn't. Could she just stay a pet? If you have another horse to ride it might work out better.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

Has the vet seen her? Her reaction to you says pain to me. I would get the vet out to do a full workover.

At 30, I wouldnt personally start doing anything with her ridden wise, i'd leave her to enjoy being an old horse.

I'll definitely look into getting a vet out to check on her, we respect her age so we have let her live peacefully the time we've owned her, and all three of them are pasture horses. Thank you

 

[Gabriella20xx]

when you say you want to retrain her, what kind of training do you mean?

at 30 years of age she is an old lady and I think I'd be firstly checking that she isn't in any pain, because that might be contributing to her demeanour.

We wouldnt want to ride her with her sway back and her age, its difficult to get a collar on her when the farrier comes so we were going to do some ground training and get her uses to standing still and backing up if shes in the way

 

[milliepops]

We wouldnt want to ride her with her sway back and her age, its difficult to get a collar on her when the farrier comes so we were going to do some ground training and get her uses to standing still and backing up if shes in the way

ah that makes sense. I think any horse can learn basics like this really, so there's no issue with her age as such. But i think it's a good idea to get her a general health check to make sure you aren't missing anything that is making her act in a way that's more difficult.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

If possible I'd let her enjoy her retirement ? she's an oldie now. She's likely arthritic. At 30 I'd be surprised if she wasn't. Could she just stay a pet? If you have another horse to ride it might work out better.

Harley the quarter horse in the picture is our other horse we were hoping to do ground training with. Hes in good helth and is very well mannered already so we might be able to get him riding in the future

 

[Mule]

I thought you meant riding her. I agree with milliepops about a health check and if she's given the all clear, it might be nice for you both.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

I had wondered if it was a behaviour problem because she has been this way for years, but we will get her checked as it's been a while

 

[milliepops]

I had wondered if it was a behaviour problem because she has been this way for years, but we will get her checked as it's been a while

it may well be, or it may be that she's had a long term health problem that's just been rumbling on without anyone really noticing. It's never a bad thing to start with an assessment of the horse's health before starting something new. plus as she is at quite an advanced age it would give you a good view of how she's coping overall.

 

[Cortez]

Agree, 30 is far, far too old to be starting riding again. Cleveland bays are not noted for having the nicest of temperaments, so maybe she's just a grumpy person who'd prefer to be left alone?

 

[JFTDWS]

Her past is very much that - in the past, and a long time back too. I really wouldn't be worrying about it now. You need to be sure she's comfortable in the present, which means getting her checked over by a vet.

If she's comfortable, there's no reason you can't train her to be a bit easier to handle on the ground, and you just need to be fair, consistent and firm without worrying about what might've happened 17+ years ago.

Obviously re-backing her at this stage would be really quite unfair.

 

[meleeka]

A lot can be achieved with treats. My cob decided for whatever reason (probably my fault which I feel guilty about) that he wouldn’t tolerate his mane being brushed. I do now always make sure I’m very gentle, but he was obviously expecting it to be uncomfortable. I tried to leave it alone, but as it’s over 2ft it wasn’t always possible. Then I started using herbal treats as a reward and I can do anything with him now. He’s fine with his mane again and he waits for me finish and say “all done, good boy” then give him the treat. I avoided giving him treats because he’s a greedy horse, but they’ve been such a help with getting him to accept things he thinks he objects to.

 

[AmyMay]

I suspect that after 16 years of consistent trading by you, you may well have achieved all you’re going to with your mare.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

Her past is very much that - in the past, and a long time back too. I really wouldn't be worrying about it now. You need to be sure she's comfortable in the present, which means getting her checked over by a vet.

If she's comfortable, there's no reason you can't train her to be a bit easier to handle on the ground, and you just need to be fair, consistent and firm without worrying about what might've happened 17+ years ago.

Obviously re-backing her at this stage would be really quite unfair.

yes, thats true

 

[Gabriella20xx]

A lot can be achieved with treats. My cob decided for whatever reason (probably my fault which I feel guilty about) that he wouldn’t tolerate his mane being brushed. I do now always make sure I’m very gentle, but he was obviously expecting it to be uncomfortable. I tried to leave it alone, but as it’s over 2ft it wasn’t always possible. Then I started using herbal treats as a reward and I can do anything with him now. He’s fine with his mane again and he waits for me finish and say “all done, good boy” then give him the treat. I avoided giving him treats because he’s a greedy horse, but they’ve been such a help with getting him to accept things he thinks he objects to.

treats work very well with our other horses, sadly roesy isn't a foody, just likes being in her herd which is fair enough

 

[Pinkvboots]

Do you know what I think at 30 I would just leave her alone she is going to be pretty stuck in her ways, it could potentially cause her stress and what is it going to really achieve as long as you can get by with basic care and handling safely I really don't see the point, if she is happier being left alone with her herd mares just let her enjoy her time she has left.

 

[JFTDWS]

what is it going to really achieve as long as you can get by with basic care and handling safely

I'm working on the presumption that the mare would be difficult to treat in a veterinary emergency, and a bit of training now might lessen the stress in the future. It's not overly clear what the OP's issues are, or what they intend, from their posts.

 

[milliepops]

I'm working on the presumption that the mare would be difficult to treat in a veterinary emergency, and a bit of training now might lessen the stress in the future. It's not overly clear what the OP's issues are, or what they intend, from their posts.

yeah I wouldn't be launching into an intensive training programme at this stage but teaching the mare to be caught and stand up for routine care (and emergencies if necessary) doesn't have to be stressful really.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I'm working on the presumption that the mare would be difficult to treat in a veterinary emergency, and a bit of training now might lessen the stress in the future. It's not overly clear what the OP's issues are, or what they intend, from their posts.

Yeah sure it's difficult to know exactly how bad the situation is without seeing the horse, I just thought if the horse is ok to have basic handling and it's safe to do so I would leave well alone, but of course if that's not the case it needs sorting out most definitely.

 

[AmyMay]

I'm working on the presumption that the mare would be difficult to treat in a veterinary emergency, and a bit of training now might lessen the stress in the future. It's not overly clear what the OP's issues are, or what they intend, from their posts.

But they’ve had the horse for 16 years, so presumably these issues have previously been overcome ??‍

 

[JFTDWS]

But they’ve had the horse for 16 years, so presumably these issues have previously been overcome ??‍

You'd think... But, er... I know people who've had perfectly normal horses for years and post excitedly on social media that they can now touch his face in the field or put a headcollar on

 

[Gabriella20xx]

Ive decided just to respect her space and get a vet check, she well mannered for the farrier so I'm sure she'll be fine for the vet too, thank you everyone who responded

 

[milliepops]

But they’ve had the horse for 16 years, so presumably these issues have previously been overcome ??‍

i was just going on this response

its difficult to get a collar on her when the farrier comes so we were going to do some ground training and get her uses to standing still and backing up if shes in the way

which suggested some holes in the basics.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

i was just going on this response


which suggested some holes in the basics.

That's true but we get on with it fine although it's not always easy its not stressful

 

[ester]

What have you done in the previous 16 years of ownership?

 

[AmyMay]

That's true but we get on with it fine although it's not always easy its not stressful

I’d just let her enjoy her retirement then.

 

[Gabriella20xx]

What have you done in the previous 16 years of ownership?

Thinking about what yo do ? just kidding I said we dont ride we've been keeping them as pasture horses. We are all very inexperienced