Thought its meant to be fun?!

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Leighb

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Ive had Barry a couple of days now.
When i first tried him, and the second day i tried him he were lovely and calm, however now hes moved into these new stables hes dragging me across the yard, putting ears back everytime anyone goes near him, lifting his back legs and actually kicking out and generally just being a little *****!

Any ideas?

Im not the most confident person around horses, and he wasnt like this at all when i viewed him twice.

I have changed his feed (gradually), hes going from Alfa A oil chaff, Barley rings, Sugarbeet and conditioning cubes to Alfa chaff molasses free, sugarbeet and vitamins + minerals.

I know hes going to be a bit oooo its a new place and the fact hes not allowed to be turned out until Tuesday hasnt helped cos hes been cooped up in a stable.

Any ideas on what i can do?! I havent ridden him yet becuase im letting him settle.
 
How much turnout was he getting previously?

He's probably just unsettled from his move, and once he's starting to go out everyday, and starts to get to know you, he'll revert back to his relaxed self.

Have you tried, just brushing him in his stable? And just trying to spend a bit of time with him?
 
I'd lunge him. He's in new surroundings so will take a while to settle but until he goes out a bit of exercise on the lunge will getting any excess energy out and hopefully restore a few manners when he learns your boss.
 
To be fair most horses are grumpy when they're cooped up in a stable for that long. Just be firm and patient and I'm sure it will pass. Is there anyone more confident than you who could help you a bit in these first few days until you find your feet?
 
try and spend as much time as possible with him, even just sitting and reading near him. lots of gentle grooming/stroking. before you think of riding do lots of in hand wallking - take him in hand on the route you will use when you ride him. it will be fun but it will also take a lot of hard work and dedication to build up the trust that is needed between the horse and the rider. have lessons with him. make sure you have a good trustworthy support network of knowledable horsey people. and never be afraid to ask for help. good luck- it`ll be worth it.
 
could it be that you are also behaving differently from when you tried your horse? Remember that they know absolutely everything about your state of mind without you having to say a word. Does your body language convey confidence and leadership, 'cos if it doesn't then you are going to have to fake it until you can make it.:)
 
Agree with both of the above comments. If you can lunge him or get someone a bit more experienced to ride him in the arena he may settle in his stable. Also, just try going in the stable with him as much as possible and not actually doing anything e.g. just change his water/haynet and completely ignore any negative behaviour. This way he will begin to realise that just because somebody is entering his stable is doesn't mean he is going to be harassed. You might find that he is just being protective of his own space because he is in a new environment and not fully aware of what is going on. Finally, it is perfectly normal to discover quirks/problems with a new horse that you may not have picked up on when you tried them out. It is impossible to find out everything about one animal over those couple of hours. So...take the pressure of him and yourself, don't beat yourself up if not everything goes perfectly in the first couple of weeks and get to know him! The first few months are when you'll find out the most important things about him and coping mechanisms will develop over time. Good luck!
 
You've had him a couple of days and changed his feed gradually? Not sure how that can be done over a couple of days.

He's been moved to new surroundings and cooped up since, with a new nervous owner and no idea what's next. Use a rope or dually halter and long line, don't get into a pulling match with him and if he tanks you around give him a sharp tug rather than looong pull. You'll never win a war of strength with a horse.
 
I meant I'm currently changing his feed gradually sorry.
Hopefully going to lunge him tomorrow and see what he's like.
Roll on Tuesday so he can go out!
 
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