Update on my situation - horse sold as "novice ride"

Kallibear said:
Double ditto. There is no easy short cut, like sending him off for 6 weeks schooling, because the issue is your partnership. He'll most likely hack like a pro within a week, WITH pro, but that doesn't help you much. Having someone come to you and work with both of you will be fat more useful in the long run.
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Another one supporting this. Long story short, I was sold a quiet, safe hack but green in school mare 12 months ago and whilst my issues are not the same as yours in that she started misbehaving due to what i now consider to be a combination of pain and new regime (new people, place etc) - i was still left wth a horse i was scared of and didnt know what to do with. I took it back to basics (as many people on here advised), lots of in hand walking, lunging and spending time together, over weeks (i couldnt ride anyway as had a haematoma after a fall!). We then got back in the saddle and did this very slowly (she'd always been fidgety to mount), followed by short sessions in the school in walk. This has all taken months in total and we are now doing short hacks (with OH on foot) and getting on very well in the school (i wanted to know i had control and she listened to aids beforw we ventured out). I have had so much help to get to here - i had lessons on other horses, i have an instructor that comes to us and a girl who now lunges her for me so i focus on the riding. For the first time last weekend i really enjoyed riding her - no nerves beforehand and she behaved so well (she's quick to learn and we now seem to understand each other) - i may get someone to hack her out in spring (on her own with no company) if i havent managed to man up completely by then but im optimistic i will feel able to it myself by then. It may have taken a lot longer to get here doing it this way but we've done it together which seems to have helped me with confidence. I know your situation is very different and i really feel for you being missold a horse on that basis but if he's a genuine chap and you seem to have real affection for him he may well turn out to be what you wanted.
 
Sheesh, my heart bleeds for the OP. As a formerly very nervous rider until I took on my first bomb proof horse on loan - and he was pretty much bomb proof, bless him, although quite strong - I can feel for you.

You absolutely definitely have a case against this person, and you have done and are doing the right thing vis a vis Trade Description people. You will eventually get your money back, just hang in there.

In the meantime, I would think long and hard about keeping this little guy. As the old saying goes, fear runs down the reins. Even if a more experienced rider takes him on and gets him straight, would he still be OK for you? From a purely practical and sensible point of view, I would look at the option of selling him on, being entirely honest about the state of play. Doubtless you would get far less than you paid the dishonest dealer, so with the help of the Trade Description people you should be able to negotiate the difference between what you paid and what you sell the little guy for. Probably for now the best thing to do is turn him out for the winter, if this is possible, keep a note of your expenses - rugs, feed etc. - and add that on to your claim against the dishonest dealer. Hopefully, by the time the spring comes, the Trade Description people will have got things sorted out.

I would just be very worried for you riding this horse, he just does not sound suitable for you at all. You need a real schoolmaster like my old DWB gelding to teach you confidence to hack out alone. He was no slouch, I had to keep my wits about me, and being a warmblood he was as stubborn as anything, but he was SAFE ... I trusted him.
 
What a rubbish situation for you OP, can you pm me who you got the horse from please? I am hoping I can start the new horse hunt next year and basically will need what you were originally looking for.

I might know someone who can help if you can tell me your location too.

Good luck!
 
Nothing to add but I really really hope that you have the horse of a lifetime hidden in your stable. All the best with him.
 
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