Seriously considering selling neddie

V

vivhewe

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 December 2005
Messages
4,958
Location
Cumbria
Visit site
Well yesterday my neddie was sticking his head in the air in trot, rushing and not really listening to me, but he seemed a lot more relaxed today and I had a spin in the school and he was better, so me and a friend decided to go for a hack.

We got about 400m down the village when he spied a tractor (he's used with them and not one for bothering about traffic) and decided to waltz about then attempt to do a small rear and I jumped off as I felt he was going to do something silly and on a road it isn't a good idea. I led him back to the yard and my cousin said to ride in the school so I did. He was great, trotting nicely and coming back to walk when asked. I decided to give him a wander around before coming out but he decided to bolt again like he did when I broke my ankle in november. I had hold of the neckstrap and managed to stay on until he decided to go over to another horse who double barrelled at him so he finally slowed down and I was able to hold him until my friend came and held him for me.

Obviously I'm phoning the back man first thing tomorrow and trying that but he seems fine some days and then bolts others. I've not got the confidence to boss him, and he senses fear so chances are won't do it with a confident rider but he's putting me off riding to the point that I feel if I can't ride him he will have to be sold.

He gives no warning whatsoever, just walks one minute and suddenly is galloping the next, and I can't cope with him being like that anymore
frown.gif
 
Hi there,

I myself have experienced the same thing with an old pony of mine. I had the relevant checks done and all was fine. As you say one minuite your walking the next is galloping. IMO I feel this is related to the animals, breeding, its inherant temperement and any mismanagement by its handlers in the past. Some horses are just nervous in there disposition. I stuck with my pony through the bolting and you know what she was never in a spooky situation when she did it - just as you describe. I never fell of her when she did it and she was always apprehended for it when she did it. But every so often as little as once every four months she would do it.

IMO you should sell your horse - not because your incompetent but simply because your riding is not enjoyable any more. When you invest your time, heart and money in it - it should be. Stay safe and enjoy your riding.

I sold the pony I had in question - I had her for two years and still miss her now, but my -she was a devil.
 
In a way it's my own fault as he wasn't happy last night (although still gives no warning) but if he is going to make a habit of it as much as I love him he will have to go
frown.gif


If only he'd been a mare
wink.gif
 
Is it not possible he's sparking off your insecurities and tension in your riding as a result of not feeling confidence?

What does he do when someone else is on him?
 
I haven't tried anyone else on him. I'm not sure if he's feeling my lack of confidence however the first time he bolted I was confident enough on him which is why it is strange that he took off then and did exactly the same today
crazy.gif
 
I agree - do you know a very confident & experienced rider who can ride him for you & give you an objective perspective on the situation? My TB knows when I am not feeling overly confident, and can be v. spooky as a result. However, when I feel the opposite, I have no problem with him. I know your accident must be making you feel very cautious & nervy? When I had major problems with him about 2 years ago, my instructor had a session with him & told me straight that he was never going to be easy, & I could either persist & go through it all with him, or just move on. She also (importantly) said that if I persisted, I did have the ability to turn it around if I put my mind to it - & together we did! He is v. good 90% of the time now! He will never stop being a cheeky beggar though!
grin.gif
 
IMO this horse does not do it because of a rider confidence issue, my pony was ridden by various riders and did it regardless. The riders were experienced and would not really be stirred by her behaviour. This is a nasty habit that is very dangerous. Do you want to continue with the horse?
 
I have a friend who would ride him, she is very confident and seems to have been used to boss half of the yard LOL! I'm thinking it's definitely worth getting her to ride him. I don't want to sell him, I love him to bits (most of the time) but if he's going to, as my mum puts it, affect my confidence, make my riding worse and seriously reduce my life expectancy then he is no good to me.

Everyone on the yard loves him but when he is ridden he is a total bugger
frown.gif
 
Definitely get her to ride him - if she knows you well, she should be able to advise whether he is the best horse for you, and whether he is a workable prospect. Good luck x.
 
Hey hun, hope your ok.

Sorry your having problems with Danny.

Having seen the horse and your riding im sorry but i dont think he is the right horse for you. Unfortunately once some horses realise you are not confident then they will pick up on this and become difficult.

I dont think he would be naughty with another rider that could maybe challenge his brain a little so he wasnt getting bored in the school and then finding his own "entertainment"

I also think a lot of these issue come about from their lifestyles. I assume he is now being stabled most of the day? He is also probably full of fresh spring grass which wont help matters!
Some horses simply thirve off of work and being challenged in their work i.e. lots of schooling including teaching school movements, gridework, hacking, competing etc. I dont Danny is being challenged enough at the moment but i also think it is a catch 22 situation as you are rapidly losing confidence.

He would be better suited to a PC home perhaps with some plucky teenagers to ride and compete him and keep him "busy" if you get what i mean!

You on the other hand need something that is going to help you out a little more and look after you...something like Polly!

I think you have tried really hard with him and all creedit to you for perservering but you have to enjoy riding, its your hobby...it is simply because you two are not compatible...nothing wrong with that.

Chin up!
 
QR- Get your friend on him, and see what he does. It may not be the solution, but its a starting point.

Can you have sessions with an experienced instructor to see if you can work on your confidence with the pony?
 
Sorry to hear you're having problems. I know what a confidence wrecker it can be!

Agreed that maybe get someone else on him and see what happens but TBH, you either need to grit your teeth, relax and get back on or call it a day.

Just don't feel like you've 'given up' if you do sell - you have to do what's best for you both xxx
 
If you decide you like the horse enough to want to persevere, it sounds like there are some schooling issues that need tackling. I would find yourself an experienced but kind and empathetic instructor and go back to basics. If you learn to do things like long reining that will give you confidence as it is riding from the ground and you form a good bond with the horse where it starts to listen to you and your voice and you become more of a team, then when you get back on your instructor could maybe do some of the starting schooling to get a feel for any problems and then coach you through your confidence issues. It sounds to me as though you are playing off each other and you need an intermediary to help you both. Horses don't tend to be deliberately difficult but they do switch off from their riders and if you both lack self confidence it is a vicious circle.

If you keep the horse you have to accept it is the start of a long journey and will take a lot of hard work, time and effort. If you feel that you don't want to persue that route as you are tired, then finding a good quality new home might be kinder for you both.

Above all, at the end of the day you have to be able to ride the horse, others riding for you won't solve the problem so go get yourself some qualified help.

Best of luck.
 
This morning I don't want to part with him
frown.gif
I had a good chat with my mum last night and she reckons regardless of whether I sell him or not to get my friend to ride him as even if he doesn't take off with her he will settle himself down
smile.gif


She also thinks it is probably more of a pain issue with him (who has been in the most out of me and the pony we haven't decided though
wink.gif
) and so all those usual avenues are going to be checked before I do finally bite the bullet
crazy.gif
I don't particularly think he is looking for entertainment, as Jemstone said, firstly as I've ridden a fair few who find their own entertainment, my welshie included, and secondly he has plenty of variety including long hacks and jumping and schooling at home and sees lots of new things to keep him interested.

I've done lots of groundwork with him over the winter but I think some more is in order, as is a few lunge lessons on some nice quiet schoolmaster, before I ride him again and decide then. I think lots of lessons will hopefully improve my riding and his way of going.

*fingers crossed*
 
You're going to hate me for this. But I think you sound totally over horsed, and you would be better selling him before either or both of you are damaged permanently.
 
Good for you for looking for some quality help and lessons. It is hard for anyone to comment if they haven't seen you riding the horse. Sometimes you just get one that un-nerves you a bit and you need some help. I had loads of people telling me to PTS my boy, it turned out to be pain related and lots of learnt bad habits- I was overhorsed big time although obviously he would have over-horsed most people because of the pain he was in without our knowing (my definition is not enjoying it much to say the least!) but I had some amazing help and we are now hoping to affiliate in dressage next year. Never say never - determination to win gets you a long way but it is hard so you have to be prepared for it and you have to get the right people to help you. Good luck I hope it works out for you and as you say work on your riding and check his teeth, back, saddle etc - I hope you manage to move forward.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top