serious or not???

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beaconhorse

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Samson is just 4 now and had him about 3 months and backed him. Today took him to his 3rd show. I also took my friend who owns the mare in the next field to him.

I had thought there might be a little problem with them being parted so tested the water by leading him away for 10 mins and he was fine.

So I got on and off we went to the warm up area. He tried to nap thro his shoulder at which point I stopped him and commented to another friend 'maybe this wasn't a good idea' He then tries again and fails. In temper he explodes, bucking like a bull all 4 feet at least 2ft off the floor and still bucking. At this point I lost control of him as it was all I could do to stay on. He was now cantering towards the lorry while still bucking like said bull. He had to run around a person, and the saddle slipped with him still bucking I was ejected a good 6 to 7 feet into the air off his back and hit the deck . He ran back to the mare and lorry.

I am ok, but did hurt my shoulder so could not have got back on if I had wanted to, but I did make a point of walking him away for a while and mare went off and did her test and he was ok about that, he called at lot but thats all

I had a good few people come up and say they were gob smacked at how long I stayed on as it REALLY WAS THAT BAD, he wanted me off at any price!! I know I'm not that good a rider but I was holding on to my 'chicken strap' and I know that no one could have stayed on

Back teeth and saddle all done within last few weeks. sending him away for schooling just isn't an option and I don't think it would solve anything anyway

He does seem to have a REAL temper, if he doesn't get his own way he throws his dummy out big style even on the ground. He will kick out at me. which he NEVER gets away with always results in a smack for kicking and being put to work of some sort even if it is only backing up, forward etc

I guess what I am asking is does a young horse who so deliberately tries to get the rider off ever grow out of it???? and has one with such a short fuse ever come good??

What would you do now?

I thought would just go to next show next weekend without the mare and see what happens, maybe take him away from lorry and lunge for a few mins see what he does

Do I need to say he is a Welsh Cob!! my 3rd I must be mad!!
 
Dearest Mad
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Well done for staying sane(!). Can you get help from an instructor? I'd definately take them away from each other, and make ned work damned hard to keep his brain occupied. Sounds like on the lunge would be the safest option right now.
 
My daughter has a 1/2 D who has just turned 5, for the first 6 months he would bronk, buck or rear until he had removed her. Not every time out but on a fairly regular basis. He is improving, doesn't go straight up any more and his tantrums aren't so nasty. Hopefully yours is just going through a phase like ours. Daughter finds turning him in very tight circles as soon as he starts faffing about helps to break the tantrum. Good luck.
 
Wow, pleased you are okay after all that!
Yes what you have said sounds like the right decision to me. Take him next weekend without said mare! and make him bloody work! lunging him sounds great for keeping him occupied, and have people there to help if you need it.
Good luck and let us know how it goes
Kate x
 
I got half way through your post and thought "wonder if he's welsh?!"

Well done for staying on for as long as you did! I'd agree with keeping him on the lunge like Mrs M says. Is he OK being seperated from the mare at home? What has he been like at the other shows you've taken him to?
 
LOL I have often done the same with other posts so thats why I added it

at home he calls to her a bit if he is in his stable and she in the field or the other way around

in the school or out hacking he doesn't bother about her. Has been very good and relaxed at the other shows
 
glad your ok! i hate behaviour like that, and cant stand it when horses nap and call to others and owners let them get away with it! (not implying this is what you did as i can see you didnt have much choice in the matter)
if i was you, i would be much more stern with him! when he starts to nap, tell him the first time with a smack and carry on, and the same if he is constantly calling. dont tollerate any bad behaviour at his age, i expect he is going to be a big horse and you can afford for him to be pushy when he gets bigger, i know its hard to be stern with them, especially on a show ground without people thinking your being horrible to him.
 
Is showing new to him or has he been to lots of shows previously?
 
In the last 3 months this horse has a new home, new owner, has been backed, taken to shows and he's only 4. That is a lot in such a short period.

I'm not that surprised he had a paddy, he's probabally very stressed. He is a new environment and you are asking him to trust you, but he has only known you 3 months.

The first time I took my youngster to a show she was 4, doing some serious vertical rearing every time I took her away from my other mare, who's her best bud since she was a foal.

So I now take her without her. Next show I lunged her in a quiet corner until she calmed down. Just too her in the clear round so she could get used to the environment. Then hung around for a couple of hours then came home.
 
Which is my thinking hence asking how many shows he has been too. It could all just be too much for him. If he has rarely or never been to a show, then i would expect some bad behaviour, not from anger but from fear.
 
As minsk said, its a lot for a young horse who has only known you 3 months.
I have also seen a fair few young male horses who have a tendency to have a paddy when they don't get their way!! They grow out of it eventually but you do need to gain his trust so he respects your commands.

I wouldn't worry too much, he needs more experience in riding and going to shows.

If you don't want to take him on his own to a show perhaps you could find another companion if he is attached to the mare?
Definately get him out again next weekend, if you are too sore to ride you could always take him out just for the journey.
Bear in mind travelling in the horsebox alone is enough to stress them out if they aren't used to it - let alone being ridden in a strange environement and being separated from your 'friend' when you've only been backed for 3 months!!
 
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