Sane horse becomes Bride of Chukky horse

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Any experiences or knowledge gratefully received. My pal bought a gorgeous gypsy cob gelding from a dealer 2 months ago. He's 8 yrs old and built like the proverbial. He appeared sane and safe and was advertised as ideal for someone looking to come off plods. Pal - who is as nervous of bold, strong horses as me - hadn't thought it through properly re the amount of time she'd have to spend with him as she has 2 young children, where he would live or the ongoing training needs of an 8yr old. She sent me some early pix of her 6yr old son sat on the new horse (no hat or saddle!) and being led happily about. However, she didn't like the first yard and in the past 8 weeks he has been on 3 different yards. He was scheduled to move yards again asap. At one yard, he wasn't properly introduced to an established, mixed sex herd and he was chased into a bog up to his neck. Every time she changed yards, she RODE him to the new one. Their relationship has been steadily deteriorating and he is now exhibiting very dangerous behaviour. He started by refusing to walk when led, then started to back up, then started to run away, and now (I TOLD her it was an inevitable next step) he rears right up though not quite over and strikes out with a foreleg. Pal reports that he does this whenever he can't have his own way. She got a friend who is a riding instructor down to look at the situation and the instructor went into the stable with the horse (and his feedbowl) and insisted he stood politely at the back of the stable. He gave a full blown rear in the stable and terrified the instructor who now says it is obvious (?) he is a confirmed rearer. Pal is now trying to get the dealer to take the horse back and refund her money. Dealer says the horse was fine when she sold him. Sadly, my reading of the situation - though I am FAR from being an expert - is that the horse stopped trusting or respecting his new owner as she gave him little time, leadership, routine or stabiliity. She then got frightened of him, he got frightened by her fear, he discovers that rearing makes her leave him alone and bingo. However, pal is determined to take this as far as is necessary. Has anyone got any thoughts on what has happened and why? Also, she had a 1 month return contract so does she have a leg to stand on now? She had blood taken and kept but I think that will be normal. I have also recommended she tries to speak with his previous owners (from the passport). Anyone got any thoughts at all? The whole thing leaves a nasty taste in my mouth as I saw this coming from weeks ago and I don't believe it was the dealer's fault. Pal just can't see this and says she has nothing to lose anyway. Not nice.

 

[Baggybreeches]

I agree with you, its not fair to label the horse as 'bad' when the poor horse has had nothing resembling a routine since she bought it. If I were you I would retreat from the scenario and detach yourself from any obligation you might feel towards her poor horse. Tough but the best option for your sanity!

 

[Blizzard]

I think your friend has ruined the horse, he has no trust in her, and why should he, it seems whenever she does something with him its moving him to another home, where he seems to be having nothing but bad experiences.

The horse sounds fed up, scared, nervous and has no confidence in her.

why is she moving so much?

I dont feel the dealer is to blame at all!

Like you say its obvious why all this is happening.

 

[trundle]

I hate to say this, but your friend sounds like a complete plank when it comes to horses. The dealer has absolutely NO obligation to take the horse back - its over the time limit and frankly, why should he, when it definitely seems to be your friend's poor handling of the horse that has caused it to become dangerous? The dealer will either be stuck with an unsaleable horse, or have to invest further time and money in re-training it.

I agree with fatarse - the safest course of action would seem to be detaching yourself from the entire sorry situation as far as possible.

 

[ecrozier]

Another one I am afraid.... sounds like your friend is totally to blame here to me. Its a HORSE not a MACHINE!
Maybe best to try to rehome him asap to a more suitable steady environment.

 

[TarrSteps]

Mmmmm . . . I think you've answered your own questions.

I hate to say it but it's probably best if you do detach yourself from the situation. Your friend needs a solid program and and a professional to fix the damage she's done both to the horse and to her own understanding and confidence in the situation. If you can convince her to see this you might be able to do some good but honestly, I wouldn't get much more involved yourself unless you are willing to assume a great deal of responsibility and risk.

I know you want to help your friend and her horse but if she won't let you then there's not a whole lot you can do expect keep repeating your advice in a calm and unyeilding fashion any time she complains or expresses amazement at the train wreck in progress. At the end of the day people's horses are their own and they can and will do what they please. Even if it wrecks the horse and gets them killed.

Very sad and very unneccesary.