Sending young problem horse away for schooling - what to ask?

[Marilyn91]

Hi everyone,

I bought a Connemara mare last year who has just turned 5. She's a real sweetie and at first I could ride her fine. But she had a bad experience with a saddle that didn't fit properly and it took us months to get a saddle that fit. During that time she picked up the habit of full-on bolting off when you try to mount. No one can hold her, and no has been able to sit it. As soon as the rider comes off, she's a bit nervous but basically fine (stops galloping).

I've been slowly restarting her from scratch, lots of de-sensitizing, leaning over, practicing standing by the mounting block. After a few weeks she actually let me sit on her and I could mount and dismount several times no problem. Then, as soon as I asked her to take a step forward (with someone leading her), she galloped off and I fell off again. It was my mistake, I should have known that the weight of the rider while moving could scare her, and I should have just leaned over while getting someone to lead her forward first. Rookie mistake, but my confidence is shot now having hit the deck God knows how many times.

I've had a couple of trainers come and help me with her at our yard, but no one wanted to get on themselves - just help me from the ground. And anyway, a problem like this isn't going to go away with 2 lessons a week. So I'm considering sending her off for intensive schooling, which is basically a last resort because I have a strong bond with her and hate the idea of sending her away. A well-respected trainer is coming to visit us on Monday, and if all goes well, I will visit his yard before making a final decision. What questions should I ask? What should I look out for? Any potential red flags?

Thanks

P.S Unfortunately I'm not based in the UK - otherwise I'd be packing my mare straight off to Sophie Seymour or Jason Webb

 

[canteron]

Just be totally honest about your horse and really check them out that you trust them, turn up a random times and check that you feel they are organised and ethical - the next stage is crucial!
Also, please check out that they have experience of this and will take their time ...... I would ask them for a step by step detail of how they propose to tackle it. Maybe a yard that does 'ethical' backing as well as riding on, will be worth searching out. Ask to see a young horse doing groundwork - you want to know they will take their time to do this before just getting on.
Also, check they will give you lessons on the horse before you bring it home, and that they will chat with your new instructor before bringing him home, continuity will be crucial.

I had a horse who had bolted after a traffic accident and he totally lost his confidence. I sent him to a yard where they back horses, they used a 'ardall doll' to get the horse used to weight being all over the place, before they rode him. The first time they put the doll on the horse and moved, he froze and then tentatively decided to trust the handler. It took a few months, but he was totally confident by the time he came back. However, I never completely got over it and eventually the yard found him a new home with in fact one of their old employee riders, so it worked out for the best in the end.

 

[9tails]

Where are you?

This sounds like a rebacking situation rather than schooling so would be upfront with whoever you choose.

 

[Marilyn91]

Just be totally honest about your horse and really check them out that you trust them, turn up a random times and check that you feel they are organised and ethical - the next stage is crucial!
Also, please check out that they have experience of this and will take their time ...... I would ask them for a step by step detail of how they propose to tackle it. Maybe a yard that does 'ethical' backing as well as riding on, will be worth searching out. Ask to see a young horse doing groundwork - you want to know they will take their time to do this before just getting on.
Also, check they will give you lessons on the horse before you bring it home, and that they will chat with your new instructor before bringing him home, continuity will be crucial.

I had a horse who had bolted after a traffic accident and he totally lost his confidence. I sent him to a yard where they back horses, they used a 'ardall doll' to get the horse used to weight being all over the place, before they rode him. The first time they put the doll on the horse and moved, he froze and then tentatively decided to trust the handler. It took a few months, but he was totally confident by the time he came back. However, I never completely got over it and eventually the yard found him a new home with in fact one of their old employee riders, so it worked out for the best in the end.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

He said he did experience this problem before and managed to solve it. I was planning on asking him how he would tackle it and also watch him work with another horse when we visit his yard. I am hoping to get weekly lessons (groundwork and then riding) with her, bring her back, have him ride her a few times at our yard and possibly have regular lessons with him on her.

The 'ardall doll' is a fantastic idea, I hadn't heard of that before. I did try putting a teddy bear on her and was playing with the idea of buying a shop dummy or something, but I wasn't sure it would fit.

I can definitely relate to what you're saying about rehoming afterwards. Once the trust is gone, it's so hard to re-establish it. Glad it worked out in the end though!

Where are you?

This sounds like a rebacking situation rather than schooling so would be upfront with whoever you choose.

I'm English but live in Austria. Yes, sorry, poor choice of words, I meant rebacking. I have been honest with the trainer though, I wouldn't let the poor chap hop on expecting to move up the dressage levels with her when in reality she's unrideable