Worried About Daughters New Horse (sorry if long!)

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reecebailey

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Hi, sorry not very "horsey" so forgive me! I just wanted advice on my daughters new(ish) horse. She eventually decided she had to give up her old pony who was 13.2hh as he was to small and she never really got over selling him. (he was lovely, even I went on him!
laugh.gif
) Anyway, we went to look at a few new horses, and she decided she wanted something with a bit more spark so we got Boomer. I wasn't to keen on him in the first place but as she pointed out to me - I know nothing about horses! We didn'd have a huge budget so we got him, he is 11 and 16.1hh and I think a TBx.

When we got him home he was very distructive and kicked/barged us out the way which he didn't do when we looked at him and she put down to new home etc. We have had him 5 months now and he is still like this. I have been kicked a few times by him turning and kicking in the field and I don't think he is safe. The only thing is - my daughter is in love with him! I mentioned getting something safer and she looked at me in anger and shouted at me! He has thrown her off so many times now but she doesn't seem bothered by him. The thing what made me ask for advice is he recently ran off with her when she was hacking him and then threw her off and luckily he ran home and she was fine..but still! He's just so big!

I guess I want to know, would you get rid of him despite your daughters wishes? He's not safe and the yard owner said she wouldn't dream of getting on him, but if I sell him my daughter will disown me! (She's 16 by the way)
Thanks for reading.

Edited to say: This sounded all bad. They do work well together when things go right and I see why she likes their partnership, they are both so fearless, but he's just too dangerous at times when he runs off with her and throws her off. it's almost as if he turns on us. Someone suggested he may have medial issues so we have had him checked out by a vet who said he was fine.
 
Hi getcape (i noticed lots of folk read your post + not answered, so i'm sticking neck out!! Been hung before by others on forum, don't worry! x)

No, i wouldn't get rid of him, yet. Give him + daughter time! I got my 1st pony when i was 18 + she was newly broken + neither of us had a clue! I lived to tell the tale (non-horsey parents also), + wish i could have her all over again! Loved her to bits, best i ever had.

Moving on...What i would strongly suggest is that you get a good trainer in ASAP. A good trainer will show you how to turn a horse out safely...(using a bridle may remind him of manners + stop barging!) (+ few nuts in hand)

He/she will say about best way to keep Boomer (i'm thinking, why does he need to be in? My TBx would go berserk! Even if other horses in sight) I'd also cut all hard feed out, feed hay ad lib only.

Chucking your daughter off on a regular basis is something that needs addressing. Does it happen in particular place?

(I'm suspecting nappiness to yard. Even more so if he's raced? Used to going out in company?)

Re yard owner not getting on him - well not every yard owner wants to get on a potentially problematic horse, + why should they? I wouldn't! No reflection on horse, or yard owner, just that most of us old + wise 'uns don't want hassle of getting on a potential 'problem' horse + risking neck, unless you pay very well?!! (Let's never forget potential loss of earnings, next time anyone asks.....)

I'm very sure your daughter + her much-loved horse would learn loads from regular training. A good trainer will help with all sorts (as will a good farrier) - feed, behaviour, turning out, etc, etc. BHS website is a good start (www.BHS.org.uk), but maybe local word of mouth also?

Boomer isn't 'big' at 16.1hh, he's a normal-sized smallish lad, sensible age, but you need to remember whatever past he's had, deal with him quietly + confidently + competently as a TBx, + above all, get professional help from a good trainer ASAP. He sounds lovely, but if trainer says not suitable, well there's another nice home for him + another nice horse for your daughter. Please get a good trainer in, + good luck, hope i've helped, BS x.

PS: Yard owner at my 1st yard wouldn't ride my pony either - then again, he'd never ridden anything other than a tractor! Being a yard owner by definition doesn't guarantee a good rider...
 
Poor you what a worry!

For the sake of mother/daughter relations it would seem best
to persevere - 16 year olds can bear hideous grudges and forgivness
of you forcing his sale might take a long time! Also there do sound
to be some positives as they can work well together, she isn't scared
of him and 5 months isn't long - some horses take a long time
to adjust to a new home.

Some questions for you - do most of the problems happen out hacking?
Does she get thrown off or run away with in the school as well?
Does she hack on her own or with friends? (I would insist she wears
a back protector at all times BTW. And hacks with company for now)

Re the kicking, is it only when you turn out or will he try to kick
you in the stable or on the yard? Is he turned out regularly and in
a routine ie is it a rarety that he is turned out? Does he go out last?
One suggestion if its that he plunges and kicks out when he is let go in the field
is to always turn him so he is facing the gate before removing the
headcollar. It will give you vital seconds while he spins to gallop off to get out of the way!
Also I would be tempted (although others will disagree) to give
hima small treat just before you let him go to distract him. I do this
with one of mine and it works 100%. He won't go till he has had it
and used to be a nightmare!

So lots of questions! But I would 1000% agree with the other poster
I would DEFINITELY get help! There are professsionals that can help
with groundwork as well as ridden problems. Hopefully your
daughter will happily agree to it as she will just be relieved that
you are no longer talking about selling him!
 
I understand where you're coming from, but being a similar age I understand where you're daughter is coming from too!

Have a conversation, give it six month but make it seem like its her idea... Then in six month have a review, the partnership should be stronger (so keep!) but if it is still happening on a regular occasiona and lessons aren't helping then you may have to bite the bullet....
 
Hi,

when i was younger about 14/15 my mum got me my first pony, and he always used to buck me off, rear, bolt, nap.... you name it he did it!! I still love that pony, and he is still pretty much my favourite ever pony.

What it did was set me up for life where, im not scared of a challenge now, and dont mind getting on a naughty pony.

Recently (2years ago) I had an 18hh that my mum couldnt ride (he bucked) and he bucked me off ALOT never got injured though.

However i rode a small pony last year and it threw me off and i broke my wrist!! Goes without saying.

Horses like that make us stronger people i think. I also think its great your daughter hasnt given up yet either.

By the way, my 1st pony anctually stopped bucking me off after about 8months...... guess he finally figured that it was pointless as i was just going to keep getting back on anyways!

Have you had everything checked so you know hes not in pain?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi getcape (i noticed lots of folk read your post + not answered, so i'm sticking neck out!! Been hung before by others on forum, don't worry! x)

No, i wouldn't get rid of him, yet. Give him + daughter time! I got my 1st pony when i was 18 + she was newly broken + neither of us had a clue! I lived to tell the tale (non-horsey parents also), + wish i could have her all over again! Loved her to bits, best i ever had.

Moving on...What i would strongly suggest is that you get a good trainer in ASAP. A good trainer will show you how to turn a horse out safely...(using a bridle may remind him of manners + stop barging!) (+ few nuts in hand)

He/she will say about best way to keep Boomer (i'm thinking, why does he need to be in? My TBx would go berserk! Even if other horses in sight) I'd also cut all hard feed out, feed hay ad lib only.

Chucking your daughter off on a regular basis is something that needs addressing. Does it happen in particular place?

(I'm suspecting nappiness to yard. Even more so if he's raced? Used to going out in company?)

Re yard owner not getting on him - well not every yard owner wants to get on a potentially problematic horse, + why should they? I wouldn't! No reflection on horse, or yard owner, just that most of us old + wise 'uns don't want hassle of getting on a potential 'problem' horse + risking neck, unless you pay very well?!! (Let's never forget potential loss of earnings, next time anyone asks.....)

I'm very sure your daughter + her much-loved horse would learn loads from regular training. A good trainer will help with all sorts (as will a good farrier) - feed, behaviour, turning out, etc, etc. BHS website is a good start (www.BHS.org.uk), but maybe local word of mouth also?

Boomer isn't 'big' at 16.1hh, he's a normal-sized smallish lad, sensible age, but you need to remember whatever past he's had, deal with him quietly + confidently + competently as a TBx, + above all, get professional help from a good trainer ASAP. He sounds lovely, but if trainer says not suitable, well there's another nice home for him + another nice horse for your daughter. Please get a good trainer in, + good luck, hope i've helped, BS x.

PS: Yard owner at my 1st yard wouldn't ride my pony either - then again, he'd never ridden anything other than a tractor! Being a yard owner by definition doesn't guarantee a good rider...

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for your reply!
smile.gif

He doesn't have a particular place to chuck her off, but it does happen more often in the school as she doesn't hack him out much now as he's a handful on the roads!

I will have a look for a trainer, though I'm not sure I can afford it at the min, but then again I suppose sorting this bloody horse out is more important! and 16.1hh seems big enough to me!
smile.gif
Thank you for replying.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Poor you what a worry!

For the sake of mother/daughter relations it would seem best
to persevere - 16 year olds can bear hideous grudges and forgivness
of you forcing his sale might take a long time! Also there do sound
to be some positives as they can work well together, she isn't scared
of him and 5 months isn't long - some horses take a long time
to adjust to a new home.

Some questions for you - do most of the problems happen out hacking?
Does she get thrown off or run away with in the school as well?
Does she hack on her own or with friends? (I would insist she wears
a back protector at all times BTW. And hacks with company for now)

Re the kicking, is it only when you turn out or will he try to kick
you in the stable or on the yard? Is he turned out regularly and in
a routine ie is it a rarety that he is turned out? Does he go out last?
One suggestion if its that he plunges and kicks out when he is let go in the field
is to always turn him so he is facing the gate before removing the
headcollar. It will give you vital seconds while he spins to gallop off to get out of the way!
Also I would be tempted (although others will disagree) to give
hima small treat just before you let him go to distract him. I do this
with one of mine and it works 100%. He won't go till he has had it
and used to be a nightmare!

So lots of questions! But I would 1000% agree with the other poster
I would DEFINITELY get help! There are professsionals that can help
with groundwork as well as ridden problems. Hopefully your
daughter will happily agree to it as she will just be relieved that
you are no longer talking about selling him!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks
smile.gif
Last night I was worried everyone would think I'm crazy for letting her keep him this long already!

"do most of the problems happen out hacking?" I am not sure to be honest, I would say it was pretty even but he seems to be worse hacking.
"Does she get thrown off or run away with in the school as well?" He does sometimes run off in the school, and throws her off also, usally just untill he settles though. Sometimes he will through a buck out of the blue.
"Does she hack on her own or with friends?" She usally goes alone, but hasn't hacked much anymore as he wasn't safe on the road. She has hacked him out with others before and didn't have any problems with him then as long as he was in front.
smirk.gif


About the kicking: He is turned out as much as possible 24/7 but we sometimes put him in if it's really cold or all the others are going in and it is usually turning out he tries to kick, he has turned and threatened before in the stable and when we tried to hose him down, but usually he is quite calm for things like that.
 
Getcape, where abouts are you? There are plenty of experienced people around who will advise you and hopefully help for little more than covering their costs. I think if you sort the first issue, the barging and being bossy, you will hold the key to most other things. and sometimes taking a firm stance is actually what the horse is waiting for, they tend to like boundaries and appreciation. Of course discipline only works if it goes hand in hand with positive reinforcement. I'm not a huge fan of titbitting BUT it can certainly help in a lot of cases and should never be discounted.
Well done for coming here and looking for advice, you'll get it aplenty and with a bit of luck you'll find a way to compromise with your daughter.
I have teenage children,and know what a worry it is when they go off on a horse that you know can be quirky..... grey hairs follow quickly
smirk.gif

Very best of luck with it all. Feel free to give me a shout if you feel the need
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have you had everything checked so you know hes not in pain?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi, yeah we got his tack/back and teeth checked and it was all fine and the vet gave him a once over, he was vetted aswell when we got him and he passed that.

Thanks for everyones answers. I will give her 6 months to see if he improves at all and try and find a trainer and see if he will improve at all. If shes really OK with him I may let her keep him as long as BP when hacking and someone with her.
smile.gif
 
Oh sounds like a horrible situation.

There are three things I would check. His back. His teeth and make sure he doesn't have an ulcer - which TB's can be prone to.

The behaviour you've described sound like he could be sore and particularly hacked off and using bucking / bolting as a way to try and evade it. The stresses of moving could have tweeked something and have irritated an ulcer.

Alternatively if none of the above make any improvement then I'd have a look at a trainer as others have suggested.

Good luck.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Getcape, where abouts are you? There are plenty of experienced people around who will advise you and hopefully help for little more than covering their costs. I think if you sort the first issue, the barging and being bossy, you will hold the key to most other things. and sometimes taking a firm stance is actually what the horse is waiting for, they tend to like boundaries and appreciation. Of course discipline only works if it goes hand in hand with positive reinforcement. I'm not a huge fan of titbitting BUT it can certainly help in a lot of cases and should never be discounted.
Well done for coming here and looking for advice, you'll get it aplenty and with a bit of luck you'll find a way to compromise with your daughter.
I have teenage children,and know what a worry it is when they go off on a horse that you know can be quirky..... grey hairs follow quickly
smirk.gif

Very best of luck with it all. Feel free to give me a shout if you feel the need
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Hi, In West Yorkshire.
smile.gif
I know, teenager years are the worst! I try to let her have her own mistakes though as I know how annoying my parents were, the whole "can't do that" "you're not doing that." So I try to be a bit more easy going!
 
I would let her get on with it if she likes him. My horse bucks etc but he is brilliant in other ways.

She will soon let you know if she has had enough - usually by stopping riding them!
 
I agree with the others that you need to get an experienced instructor in to assess whether this horse is actually dangerous, or just getting the upper hand at the minute. You should also look at the feed he is getting to see whether that is part of the problem - some horses are sensitive to cereal-based feeds and can become unmanageable if fed them. If he is holding his weight well then I would cut out any hard feed and just put him on a handful of chaff as a token. If he needs hard feed to maintain weight then it would be worth investigating alternative fibre-based feeds instead of normal mixes/nuts.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I agree with the others that you need to get an experienced instructor in to assess whether this horse is actually dangerous, or just getting the upper hand at the minute. You should also look at the feed he is getting to see whether that is part of the problem - some horses are sensitive to cereal-based feeds and can become unmanageable if fed them. If he is holding his weight well then I would cut out any hard feed and just put him on a handful of chaff as a token. If he needs hard feed to maintain weight then it would be worth investigating alternative fibre-based feeds instead of normal mixes/nuts.

[/ QUOTE ]

She does have an experienced instructor at the moment, she just said she is unsure of him at the moment, but thinks he can be improved. Only has monthly lessons so she has only seen him about 5 times so I think I will increase these lessons. She did actually recommend that I got rid of him at first but my daughter insisted it would be sorted.

Also, he isn't on hard feed at the min, he is a TB cross (I think!) but he is chunkier than a TB so people said we didn't need feed. He was on it to begin with. I did email the old owner a few months ago and asked for more background and if he behaved similar with them and I haven't got a reply, so I'm guessing it could have been a long term problem?
 
Your story sounds horrifically like mine. When I was 17 i bought my own horse (or rather Mum and Dad did). She was a TB chestnut mare who was 11. She was ok when I tried her out, a little sharp and very nappy on the lanes when hacking out but I didn't really think there was anything wrong with her though, - I was very naive. She passed the vets. On the day of collecting her (we borrowed a friends trailer) we had a nightmare to load her and we think that was when she did something awful to her back and she was tossing herself around and rearing, refusing to load. We eventually loaded her and got her home and settled. On about the third day I rode her in the field as she was naughty straight away. I remember after about a fortnight innocently telling Mum and Dad that she was really scary to ride so they came to watch as they thought I was exagerrating. They were horrified to see her rearing full height, bucking and napping and bolting with me, flat out back to the stable. To cut a long story short we got a number of 'experts' to sit on her, all with the same result, one was a friend who had been competing for many years, and she had the same outcome as me. One day Goldie bolted with me on the roads whilst out hacking, I told my Mum and she told me her and Dad were not letting me ride her again. We got another 'expert' out to her who said she just needed discipling. She reared so she smacked her really hard, she reared again and the woman fell off, then Goldie stamped on her foot, breaking her ankle. The woman was threatening to sue us, we had to take her to A&E. I'd had her three months by this point and was fortunate not to fall off her once, even though she would continually bolt, rear and buck. Fortunately Goldie was very good looking and well bred and someone who knew the original owner and had heard we were having problems bought her off us for a huge knock down price, we lost hundreds on her but were so glad to get rid of her. She consulted a chiropractor and it turned out she had 3 vetebrae out so was in considerable pain. The woman used her for breeding and she bred at least one foal that we know of.

Something you can ALWAYS guarantee with horses. They very rarely play up due to high spirits, at least on a regular basis. It is nearly always because they are trying to tell you something hurts. It is up to us to listen. I have a similiar thing going on with my own horse at the moment but have listened to him, having had him for five years and knowing that his different attitude towards work has changed considerably. The chiro is coming out on Thursday. Horses tell you very sublety if something is wrong. If we go on ignoring them they will tell us a little more forcibly by biting, bucking, rearing, refusing to be caught, etc, etc. Eventually their cries of pain will result in hurting us in order for them to get their message across. You should do something quickly before your daughter gets seriously injured. I would start with a chiropractor, reputable and I mean REPUTABLE saddle fitter and get her teeth rasped by a good EDT. Good luck. Please do not ignore the problem anymore. It is very serious and the horse is obviously trying to tell you something. Please listen.
 
For your sanety and your daughter's safety you need some proper help. Once a horse starts taking the mick it only gets worse.
Your problem is you don't know enough about horses to know which instructor to go to and, believe me, there are lots of "instructors" out there who will only make the problem worse.
Where exactly are you? We forumites will suggest a few really good people.
I should worry too much though because teenage girls are the crash test dummies of the horseworld - they just don't seem to care if they fall off!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I did email the old owner a few months ago and asked for more background and if he behaved similar with them and I haven't got a reply, so I'm guessing it could have been a long term problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a bad sign - a genuine seller will always want to give help or advice to make sure the new partnership works. Doesn't necessarily prove the horse is 'bad' though - the previous owner might not have been particularly competent!!

I would suggest finding a good trainer who can take the horse for a couple of weeks - work with him - and then give an honest assessment as to his behaviour ansd the likelihood of it improving; and also give your daughter a few lessons in how to deal with it!!

Sending him away will achieve a couple of things. First, it will show is the problem is at the yard, or the way is being handled. We often get 'problem' horses in for sorting - and they behave beautifully!
grin.gif
Then it's just a case of working out what they're 'missing' at home. They can also get the horse's back, mouth etc. checked out by their professionals. (You wouldn't believe the number of horses we get in who have had their teeth done BADLY!! Or with a problem the owner's vet has missed!)

But I would be prepared for the NEED to 'fall out' with your daughter if necessary! If the horse IS 'dangerous', you'll have to! What is better - a 100% happy daughter - or a miserable HEALTHY daughter! Some horses ARE 'dangerous' - usually through no real fault of their own. Some are just unsuitable for a young rider - moving up can be fraught with difficulties!

If you want, PM me with your location - or post it here - for some recommendations of a GOOD trainer for 'remedial' work.
 
[ QUOTE ]
For your sanety and your daughter's safety you need some proper help. Once a horse starts taking the mick it only gets worse.
Your problem is you don't know enough about horses to know which instructor to go to and, believe me, there are lots of "instructors" out there who will only make the problem worse.
Where exactly are you? We forumites will suggest a few really good people.
I should worry too much though because teenage girls are the crash test dummies of the horseworld - they just don't seem to care if they fall off!

[/ QUOTE ]

I admit I don't know an awful lot, but I trust my yard owner, other people on the yard, so ask them. Good luck
laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I did email the old owner a few months ago and asked for more background and if he behaved similar with them and I haven't got a reply, so I'm guessing it could have been a long term problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a bad sign - a genuine seller will always want to give help or advice to make sure the new partnership works. Doesn't necessarily prove the horse is 'bad' though - the previous owner might not have been particularly competent!!

I would suggest finding a good trainer who can take the horse for a couple of weeks - work with him - and then give an honest assessment as to his behaviour ansd the likelihood of it improving; and also give your daughter a few lessons in how to deal with it!!

Sending him away will achieve a couple of things. First, it will show is the problem is at the yard, or the way is being handled. We often get 'problem' horses in for sorting - and they behave beautifully!
grin.gif
Then it's just a case of working out what they're 'missing' at home. They can also get the horse's back, mouth etc. checked out by their professionals. (You wouldn't believe the number of horses we get in who have had their teeth done BADLY!! Or with a problem the owner's vet has missed!)

But I would be prepared for the NEED to 'fall out' with your daughter if necessary! If the horse IS 'dangerous', you'll have to! What is better - a 100% happy daughter - or a miserable HEALTHY daughter! Some horses ARE 'dangerous' - usually through no real fault of their own. Some are just unsuitable for a young rider - moving up can be fraught with difficulties!

If you want, PM me with your location - or post it here - for some recommendations of a GOOD trainer for 'remedial' work.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with this>
laugh.gif
 
I am so sorry to hear you've been having trouble and I can really sympathise as you are in a very difficult position.

I would also suggest you re-check for any signs of pain, some problems, e.g. back, are quite difficult to find. Is your vet an equine specialist vet? If not, it might be worth trying an equine vet. If he gives the all clear, also get a physio out just to double check.

Failing that, I would agree with everyone else that investing in really regular lessons would be a good idea. If all else fails at least the instructor can tell your daughter this is not a suitable horse and she may find this easier to accept coming from someone other than her mum.

Overall, to be honest, I would tend to think this is not a suitable horse. A teenager should be able to hack and school safely, go to little shows and generally have fun. It sounds like your daughter can't hack him, she gets thrown off in the school and I assume shows and clinics are completely out of the question. Sit her down and try to calmly discuss this with her. What does she want out of her riding? Is she missing all the fun she had with her previous pony? What can be done to improve things? These questions may give you some more neutral ground for a discussion rather that a discussion of selling this horse. Perhaps suggest giving this horse a field holiday while your daughter looks for something else to share. If she reminds herself what a nice horse can be like and how much fun she could be having she may reconsider her relationship with her current horse.
 
i had a right horror of a 14.2hh pony when i was 12.

he was my first pony, me and my mum were totally inexperienced.

he used to rear vertical a lot, nap badly, drop his shoulder etc etc and used to deck me extremely regularly.

i loved him but he scared the crap out of me!

i came off on the roads a few times, had the ambulance out as well and got banned from Pony Club because he was so naughty!!

my mum never said a word to me about him and just let me get on with it.
i owned him for 4 years and am so glad my mum didn't intervere as that pony made me the rider i am now!
i am not phased by naughty horses now and he taught me a lot about how to ask 'nicely' and how to get results out of quirky horses.

i am now 23 and my mum has only recently told me how she used to lie awake at night worrying about how i was going to get killed by the pony and how much she hated me riding him.

she tried to put me off riding him by refusing to give me a lift to the yard so i would cycle a 10 mile round trip before and after school, getting up at 5am to get him done.
 
Our old pony was so simple and didn't bat an eyelid to anything- I think she enjoys the challenge. I mean, when we were looking for a new one she did want something completly different, mind you, not this different! And your right, we don't go to shows, we did go to a jumping clinic which was a disaster but the cross country one he was honestlty so different.
smile.gif
We don't have transport so never need usually go to shows anyway, but I don;t think I'd take him to one!
 
[ QUOTE ]
i had a right horror of a 14.2hh pony when i was 12.

he was my first pony, me and my mum were totally inexperienced.

he used to rear vertical a lot, nap badly, drop his shoulder etc etc and used to deck me extremely regularly.

i loved him but he scared the crap out of me!

i came off on the roads a few times, had the ambulance out as well and got banned from Pony Club because he was so naughty!!

my mum never said a word to me about him and just let me get on with it.
i owned him for 4 years and am so glad my mum didn't intervere as that pony made me the rider i am now!
i am not phased by naughty horses now and he taught me a lot about how to ask 'nicely' and how to get results out of quirky horses.

i am now 23 and my mum has only recently told me how she used to lie awake at night worrying about how i was going to get killed by the pony and how much she hated me riding him.

she tried to put me off riding him by refusing to give me a lift to the yard so i would cycle a 10 mile round trip before and after school, getting up at 5am to get him done.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. It's good to hear it's not just me worrying, but keeping the damn horse.
crazy.gif
I'm glad you're not phazed by naughty horses anymore, I think I should just let her get on with it after all!
 
The trouble is, you could spend a lot o f money on instructors,saddle fiters et al and then still end up with an unsuitable horse that will have to be sold at a loss.How are you going to fund the new one?Sorry to sound so hard.It is your daughters call really as at 16 she is not really a child any more so options have to be discussed I guess.Some people obviously come out of this well, other people do not.They get badly injured and loose their confidence which can be very hard to get back.What does your daughter want to do with this horse.Does she want mainly to hack or does she have competition aspirations?Is your saddler a master saddler? Get some experienced help and if it were me I would ban hacking, unless off road, until some of these issues are sorted.
 
Qr
I would echo what others have said here about eliminating any possible pain - it can have really dramatic behavioural effects. Teeth, back, tack - all need to be checked to make sure they are definitely not the cause.

The fit of tack can change over time just through normal use - so it needs to be checked by a qualified saddler regularly anyway. Similarly his teeth need looking at by a qualified EDT as others have said, and his back needs to be checked - by a specialisy equine vet, and possibly a physio / chiropractor.

Once you have done this, you need to get a good instructor out tot he horse - but if this behaviour is pain related you will not be able to address it until you have removed the pain.
 
We didn't pay much for him as we were on a low budget, he was advertised at £1200 but got him half price for a quick sale, now I see why! So the loss won't be to great, now she is 16 however, i will not be paying for a new horse for her, I said if she decided to keep him then thats it and she decided to keep him.
I have never actually asked her what she wanted a horse for. I think she just wanted to poter about on one at first but bow she is really into jumping, which he is good at so I think thats why she likes him so much! I am so bad at making decisions.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i had a right horror of a 14.2hh pony when i was 12.

he was my first pony, me and my mum were totally inexperienced.

he used to rear vertical a lot, nap badly, drop his shoulder etc etc and used to deck me extremely regularly.

i loved him but he scared the crap out of me!


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IMO, there's a pretty big difference between a pony who's a handful and a 16.1 who drops you. I also had a horror of a pony which I'm very greatful for riding wise and confidence wise. I've since had a big sports horse with a tendency for fecking off and chucking me and have the long term injuries to show for it (which really could have been a lot worse).

No horse is worth ending up in a wheelchair for and if she's regularly getting chucked off a big horse at speed, its a matter of time before it does some damage, unless she's very lucky or you change some things. I'd take JanetGeorge's advice if I were you, OP.
 
if it was me I would agree a definite period of time, say 6 months(?), with your daughter that you would get everything checked tack wise, teeth, back etc. Have a good think about feed - I didn't feed my mare hard feed at all - it was the molasses in the mollichop that did it! came off that and was a completely different horse. I would get an instructor that is recommended to help with both ridden and in-hand work. If no improvement at all after the agreed time then I would sell - lifes too short.
 
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