What would you do?

You have been riding him long enough. You don't get on. No doubt there will be someone out there who will bond with him and get on well. Don't put yourself through this anymore. Tell the owner you no longer want to loan him.
There are plenty of yards out there with people who are looking for people to excercise/share/loan their horses and the right horse for you will be out there. Find a horse that you enjoy. Good luck.
 
If he needs feed then how about fibre (fibre nuts/grass nuts/unmollased beet) with oil added (microionized linseed is ace) - so you are cutting right back on sugar and starch. My girl is a love, but transforms into a right proper **** if she has sugar or cereals!
 
Blimey! Emotional blackmail much?!

I feel for you. We had a horse on loan only for about 9 months before we sent him back. He really knocked my confidence. He was a bit pushy on the ground but nothing too bad but riding we kept getting our little problems. He went through a phase where he wouldn't hack out alone (problem for me as we are a DIY field with only us and a friend so generally would be riding alone!). He would do similar to yours - we would have random stopping and spooking, he would literally walk to a point then it was like he was hitting a force field and couldn't go any further. This we got over by me just being very firm with him. He would bunny hop and run backwards but eventually would tire and learn he wasn't going to win. I didn't mind the jumping around as I cuold 'sit' it. Then we had issues as they put cows in the field our bridleway runs around. This was a big issue and to be fair to the horse he was proper scared of them - not being naughty. A couple of times he had spun, leaped and bolted to home with me and that was the first time in a long time I had actually felt scared. Every time I hacked out I used to feel physically sick if I was alone.

We then had issues loading him. He just didn't like loading in my sharer's lorry. We spent 2hrs one day practising and were literally trying every possible trick in the book to no success. We then tried the next week as we were going to a show. This horse was prone to 'tantrums' and after half an hour he reared up, lashed out at me and got me in the hip - result was a very blood-broken swollen thigh! We persevered and after another hour he launched himself at me and I had to duck out of the way. It was at that point I decided I couldn't go on. There's 'naughtiness' but then there's dangerous. Knowing he didn't have any issues running me over I was quite nervous of him and really we weren't helping each other and it wasn't enjoyable anymore.

You really need to decide whether you want to persevere and invest money in getting proffesional help with him or not. But you shouldn't have to keep a horse you're not happy with otherwise what enjoyment are you or he getting?
 
Paddy-Wac :) said:
Hahaha, of course! They're not always little angels as some people think ;)

There have been lots of occasions where I have completely lost my rag and really come down like a ton of bricks on him, but this seems to make him worse and he goes into blind panic mode, so I have since tried to avoid this.
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oh dear. I have a 14.1hh cob who can be a little monkey as he can nap if asked to hack alone. Basically he's mega clever and knows what he likes doing and what he can't be bothered to do. Napping wise, you have to get after him before he stops. If he goes backwards, I make him keep going backwards until he's sick of going backwards! He once tried to refuse to leave the yard, so I turned him round and we went all of the way out of the yard, backwards ;)

Also, it's amazing the difference a firm voice makes.

TBH it sounds like you love him despite the naughtyness and maybe you're having a bad day/week/month with him? I have learnt to laugh at my cob's cheeky side, and be thankful for his safe, steady nature. Clearly he's just a character!

It also sounds like he's super clever, so challenge him. Expect him to work in an outline. Show him that he can extend in trot. Make him leg yield. It'll keep his brain busy so he's not thinking of ways to cause mayhem ;)
 
I have not read all replies, Horses are an expensive hobby! If this horse is not doing it for you, send him back and have another loan, there are lots of horses out there at the moment, all looking for a good home, have one your happy with, you will love that just as much if not more!
 
If he drops weight with no feed, i would look at a low starch feed. If it is a mix sometimes it is molassed and too starchy. Maybe cubes are a beter option. Some 'low energy' feeds say they are but actually have quite high starch. One that I looked at said low starch and it was actually 15%, that's not low. Top spec and winergy are the best I found. Also fibre all the way, avoid cereals. My mare was really spooky and nappy and i changed and it made a difference very quickly. She is on top spec and is the perfect horse now.
The person I got mine from also said if I sent her back she would go for meat. I am admitedly soft hearted and couldn't do it, despite being flipping terrified of her. Boosting her confidence and trust were major factors along with the right feed were key. It took a while to get it all right but I got the right people involved to help me re-train her and I am so glad. Have had her for 8 years and would trust her with my life!
 
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Cortez said:
Since you do not own this horse, it is his owner's responsibility. If he really is as difficult as this then possibly he would be better off being PTS (or meat, if you prefer).
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Hang on, just because shows freak him out and he's a bit of a handful on hacks doesn't make him a write off. It sounds as though shows are not his thing and he is terrified. Not all horses take to being dragged from one strange venue to the next and expected to perform. Some thrive on it, but just because a horse doesn't does not make him suitable only for meat!

OP, it sounds as though Patrick is quite insecure and needs to gain more confidence from you. He needs to know that you are there to make sure no calm comes to him and that he can trust you to take care of him at all times. Sometimes all a horse needs is to know that you acknowledge their anxiety. On a hack for example, rather than battling with him get off and lead him past the thing that is scaring him and talk to him calmly. Once he has walked past and has calmed down (you may have to lead him some way before he relaxes) remount and continue on your way. Repeat this as necessary. Believe me, it really does work wonders for a horse's confidence to know that you will do that and soon you will not need to because he will know that there is nothing to worry about and his anxiety levels will have reduced greatly with you remaining on board.
 
Dancing Queen said:
Ok try this;

When he spins and go backwards - allow him to go backwards (as in safely - ie no people directly behind him, cars etc) when he has had his fit and i mean as soon as he stops going backwards you make him go backwards, you reinback and back and back and back and stop when you want. (no need to be harsh with him, just make him go back) He may try it again a couple of times but it will soon sink in that he actually isnt getting one over on you.

Works a treat BUT you HAVE to be QUIET in the saddle and a kind rider.

I would drop all mix, if you have to give him something just a few carrots, I have been sent cobs displaying the same kind of attitude and by dropping the feed (low energy or not) as long as they have access to grass and hay they dont NEED feed, they come right.

You need to ride positive, if he has been in a school - he has got so used to doing what he wants with whoever is on his back.
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^^^this^^^^!! You need to play him at his own game! He'll soon get fed up!! This is why I have tb's!!!! I wouldn't even bother with carrots, get a bag of hi fibre nuts and just give him a few of them! The bag would last ages!! Good luck and keep us posted! :)
 
Paddy-Wac :) said:
Hahaha, of course! They're not always little angels as some people think ;)

There have been lots of occasions where I have completely lost my rag and really come down like a ton of bricks on him, but this seems to make him worse and he goes into blind panic mode, so I have since tried to avoid this.
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That is because he is genuinely frightened. A firm approach will not work with this type of horse. You have to make him feel secure with you.
 
Wagtail said:
That is because he is genuinely frightened. A firm approach will not work with this type of horse. You have to make him feel secure with you.
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I have tried for the past 2 years! But re your earlier post, he isn't stopping at something that is scary -it is CONSTANT. He is completely bombproof - i.e. tractors, skips, builders, cars coming within an inch of his backside etc. Thanks :)
 
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