When do I call it a day?

You don't need this at the moment. I have a mare who does this, cant be held and as soon as I am on her humps. I did know this when I purchased and now have 'solution focussed' and have a special mounting station where I have an oil barrel where I place half a scoop of food to distract her to get on.

Its a total pain tbh, I got really funny looks at shows (she's now in foal ttf), nightmare if I come off her on a hack and stopped me doing pleasure rides as I can't get off for gates.

Send it back I'm afraid. BTW my mare jumped abroad as a 4 year old in the sunshine tours before I had her - its just who she is - a total witch and yes, if I had my time again I would have left her in the box!
 
Did the dealer put anything in writing on the warranty about being "fidgety" - or was this post purchase and verbal only? (Not that this sounds like just fidgety anyway!) Has he/she offered to come down and get on the horse, or is he/she just saying give it more time? I would worry that this gets further into the warranty and this could cause other issues. Good luck - definately not the start you needed.
 
Niddlynoo I really feel for you, what a total nightmare. I echo what Amymay has said, horse needs to go back, your confidence is shot, your poor husband's blood pressure must be through the roof with the worry! If you're anywhere near my neck of the woods, you're welcome to come and hack my horse, he's a doddle :)
 
I agree with AmyMay on this, phone the dealer and tell her you'll be returning the horse this weekend and you want a full refund.
I hope you manage to get this sorted out as it's the last thing you need at the moment. Your perfect ned is out there somewhere! :)
 
Agree with everyone else, send the horse back, you don't have the confidence to deal with this and you shouldn't have to.
See if you can find one through word of mouth, speak to the farrier, the yard trainer etc, people that know you and what you're looking for.
There are a couple of elder Highland ponies on the Highland pony society website that are just looking for light hacking, but Highland ponies can sometime be a bit tricky on the ground (not all of them, just the ones that have been with fluffy bunny huggers), just in case you don't want to deal with them being bargy.
This one is possible loan (elderly owner down sizing), she's advertised as suitable for Novice/RDA (not sure where you are, but these are east sussex) http://www.highlandponysociety.com/...nager&page=show_ad&adid=861&catid=1&Itemid=48 .
I love Highland Ponies but they're not for everyone.
What about people on the forum who are aware of your situation do they know anything more suitable, say this because we found a loan pony for my friends 2 kids through the fourm who is brilliant for them to ride and the 8 year old kid has now came off the lunge after only having him 2 weeks.
Good luck, don't let the dealer fob you off, if needs be speak to trading standards about the trades description act.
 
I feel for you. Its supposed to be fun and a hobby and you end up out of pocket and in A & E! Send it back. Life is too short.
If you look for another then my advice is to look for something who has been with the present owner a long time, they are more likely to know the horse in all circumstances and care where it goes and be HONEST. I have the most fantastic horses for these reasons - oh and for my first horses I bought older too, and i have never regretted it for one single second.
 
Niddlynoo said:
When I tried him he moved away from the mounting block once/twice but then stood. When I contacted the dealer she said I should persevere, and that she told me he was a bit fidgety. The thing is - when does it stop being fidgety and start being a real issue?
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He has only been there a short amount of time.
Send him back, but if your confidence is at a real low perhaps you should have put more thought into buying a horse that wasn't perfect in every way at the viewing.

No 30 minutes is not an acceptable amount of time for mounting, however I am 100% with the dealer, give the animal a chance.
 
grumpyoldmare said:
Normally I would be saying give the horse longer to settle - but thinking about it I agree with this post. Not standing at the mounting block and that sort of minor stuff is quite common with a new horse settling in. However, charging off or bucking the minute the rider is on his back is not acceptable IMO.

You really dont need this right now - I hope the dealer is reasonable with you and I also hope you are soon recovered from both your injurys and your illness.
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Ditto agree with this and good luck........forget the back the teeth 4 legs etc
 
Its taken my horse nearly 2 years to settle. He absolutly would not stand at a mounting block and on one occasion bolted mid mount and saddle slipped. I'm a nervous rider and have disability. It could take up to 3-4 people to help me to mount and dismount.
It could be the horse is very unsettled and the saddle slipping has scared him. Speak to the previous owner and ask for a bit of help and spend time bonding with your horse. I think many horses stress at change and add to the mix your nerves equals a unpredictable horse.
Don't write him off before you have given him a chance.
I know its hard but I'm so glad I persevered with my boy as he is fantastic now and I'm getting more confident by the day. Good luck x
 
I got my instructor to try him today - took him into the school with two of his field buddies. Gave a very gentle leg up, the minute my instructor sat on him, he bolted round the school. He wouldn't be pulled up, he was in a blind panic. My instructor refuses to try him again, I won't risk myself and I wouldn't expect anyone else to deal with him. I paid a lot of money to buy this horse, I made it clear I was not the bravest, and that I had been ill and needed a steady horse. How can I be expected to persevere when no-one can manage to stay on him?
 
So sorry - surely the dealer is legally obliged to refund as the horse isn't as described? Good luck - have you managed to speak to the dealer since this? Really feel for you, hope this gets resolved quickly.
 
You should not have to persevere as I said earlier a good and suitable horse should settle in a new home, I regularly have new horses in the yard and most are the same as when tried, yes there may be some small teething issues but not to the extent you describe. This horse should be returned as not fit for purpose a reputable dealer will take it back or risk being taken to trading standards if they will not.
 
Mounting issues aside a horse that has bolted off on numerous occasions like that is not easy to do in all ways! Even if the dealer did state he was 'fidgety' to mount, the bolting has nothing to do with that and I would be ringing them again asap and sending him back. He definitely doesn't sound like what you've said he was advertised as, in fact he sounds like an utter nightmare! If the horse is safe and sensible you shouldn't have to spend weeks perservering with it.

Did you ride him when trying him out/watch anyone else riding him?

If the dealer argues back I would just outright say 'I'm bringing him back on this day and expect a full refund'. If they care anything about their reputation they'll have him back.
 
dont beat yourself up or get down about this, the horse was not sold as described from what you have said. Contact the dealer immediately, try the friendly but firm approach first but if she does not offer to have the horse back state that you have witnesses from day one that the horse came to you (including an instructor) and all will confirm that the horse is unsafe. As you purchased from a dealer you at least have some protection which you would not have had you purchased from a private owner.

Good luck, dont let it put you off for the future
 
Niddlynoo said:
I got my instructor to try him today - took him into the school with two of his field buddies. Gave a very gentle leg up, the minute my instructor sat on him, he bolted round the school. He wouldn't be pulled up, he was in a blind panic. My instructor refuses to try him again, I won't risk myself and I wouldn't expect anyone else to deal with him. I paid a lot of money to buy this horse, I made it clear I was not the bravest, and that I had been ill and needed a steady horse. How can I be expected to persevere when no-one can manage to stay on him?
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You can't!
And neither should any-one else.
Get this horse sent back asap and ask your instructor to back you up. I'm sure that as you are feeling quite fragile atm, you will find it difficult to be assertive with the dealer, so you need to involve your husband and instructor in the negotiations.
And if that doesn't work involve Trading Standards.
 
Under the trade descriptions act I would say that this horse is "Not fit for purpose" i.e. to be safely mounted and taken for a ride! The dealer cannot expect you to re-train the horse and if she considers the horse is OK then she shoiuld have no trouble re-selling him.

If the dealer is not prepared to refund your money then I would contact Trading Standards and ask for their advice, bearing in mind the nasty accident you suffered.

If the dealer is aware of what happened to you she should be ashamed of putting you through this stress.

Let your husband loose on her!
 
Same as almost everyone else, phone up dealer and tell her you are bringing the horse back and you want a full refund. End of story. This horse is not worth persevering with in your unfortunate situation.
 
To me a horse that bolts as soon as it feels a rider sit in the saddle is a horse that has not been broken in properly and would need to be taken back to basics.

Shame on the dealer who sold you this horse.
 
This sounds a horrible situation for you but i am mystified as to how you tried this horse if it now bolts the minute someone gets on its back, did you actually ride it before you purchased it ? you say you paid a decent price so i am assuming you did, so has this horse been doped or something when you tried it ? If you bought it without riding it first and you were told it was fidgety to mount but still bought it anyway even though you have particular problems, well is it a case of buyer beware ?
 
Thanks for all your responses. I did ride the horse at viewing, he moved away from the mounting block a couple of times, but was told that he will be fine once he gets to know me. Admittedly I didn't a lot, a quick road ride and a canter in the school. I had a full vetting done on him before purchase (but a week after viewing) and had no reason to think he would react like he has :(
 
Trinity Fox said:
I would probably ask the seller to take it back if I was you I think it has been a wrong purchase, however I would ask nicely rather than the I am going to sue you approach.

Horses swinging away and not standing to be mounted can happen when they are new trying it on or maybe just unsettled.

If the saddle slid underneath when mounting that was your fault really and may well have scared the horse so it is not a surprise the horse is now anxious, I am assuming you tried the horse before you bought it.
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Agree with the above ^^^^^^^
 
have just read your reply, I'm wondering if he was doped ? Thought it was a private sale not a dealer !
Could still be back issue which I would get checked BUT you now don't trust this horse and have your health to consider.
I'm having the same issue with my daughters horse at the mo, but we have had him for over 6 months with no probs and recently bolted as soon as my daughter was in saddle, 6 laps of school before she bailed, everytime she moved he got faster. Had his back checked and he was very sore, its fixed but my daughter is abit nervous of getting on now and she isn't a nervy rider.
Really hope you get everything sorted. (((((((Hugs)))))))
 
He won't be going back today - I have no transport (will need to hire or something!) Going to speak to dealer and see what happens.......
 
Another update - after my accident I was not with it at all, and thats why I thought my saddle had slipped (thought there had to be a reason!). My friend who caught my horse after the accident and put him away told me today that my saddle hadn't moved at all. So I wonder why he did shoot off? The dealer has told me that I have now ruined him, by getting on from the ground and letting the saddle slip. Now I know this is not the case (and the fact that he has now done the same to my instrucotr), I am glad he is going back. I am out of pocket by about £600 for vetting and transport (I know thats my risk), but will giving up riding for now, so haven't only lost money, I've lost my hobby and my 40th birthday present - toys out of pram:) Oh well, I'll have to just play with my daughters Haflinger instead (shame I'm too big to ride him!)
 
You have definitely made the right decision re this horse but please don't be too quick to make the decision to give up riding altogether.
I know someone who went to a RS to get her confidence back and ended up by buying the horse that she rode there. She has had him for more than 3 yrs now and is thoroughly enjoying her riding.
 
So the horse has gone back, good, you did not ruin him he must have already had a problem, the dealer probably thought it was sorted but with a new home and rider it came back, do not be put off trying to find another horse.
Find one in a nice genuine home, try several times before you buy and if possible get some references.
Most people do not do enough research before buying a horse and you can find out an awful lot if you contact previous owners, something that is difficult to do when buying through a dealer, often you can feel rushed into making a decision, whereas a genuine private seller will want you to take time as they want the best for the horse.
Good luck and hope you get back in the saddle soon.
 
Well done on sending him back, no of course you have not ruined him the dealer is simply covering their back.

As Pearlsasinger says don't be too quick to give up riding get yourself along to a good riding school and just have fun with riding and horses for a while and get those confidence levels back up again :-))

Oh and by the way unless you are 6ft plus or weigh a horrendous amount your daughters Haflinger will carry you just fine, here speaks someone on the wrong side of 45 who is certainly not a featherweight and is having the time of her life on a 3 day a week 14hh Haffie lease:-))
 
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