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Dougal9

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So bought first ever horse in March, everything seemed OK until Sept when he was scoped for ulcers. We were taking it slow but I was out hacking him and having lessons and enjoying it. Unfortunately I also had to stop riding due to what I now know to be a frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear plus compressed nerve in my neck. So got his ulcers right, and because I couldn't ride had the yard school him twice a week and a walk/trot hack once a week. Now been told that because he's better and getting fitter due to the 2/3 weeks on his new exercise regime that he will probably be too much for me when I am finally injury free. They say he's fresh and on his toes when out hacking, although this is the first time that I've been told this, and that he has started bucking before canter when being lunged which is done for a few minutes before being schooled - but so what, he's done this before ? I'm devastated ...... I trusted these people I was told that by having him schooled it would make him easier for me to ride, my mind is all over the place. My confidence - which was fine even though not riding - has been blown apart, do I believe what I'm being told under the guise of them 'caring' about me ? I always had a lot of trust in him, he always seemed to look after me when I was riding him and was very forgiving of my mistakes. I've put so much time and energy and love into this guy that I feel totally unhinged by what I've just been told. What on earth should I do ..... anyone else ever had anything like this happen to them ? :(:(:(:( Could his sudden excitability be due to diet or drop in his turnout hours or even his 'schooling' ?? Shall I turn him away until I am able to ride again and then we can come up through the ranks together so's to speak ?? My dream of a lifetime to own my own horse is being blown to smitherines :(
 
I'm sorry you're having all these problems.
That doesn't sound right, if your horse has only been worked for two or three weeks why are they cantering him on the lunge? I would wonder why he is being fresh when you were hacking him with no problem. Is it possible he was feeling unwell with the ulcers so was quiet with you hacking but now he is feeling better?

But I definitely wouldn't be happy with what you have been told, I would expect the yard to cut down his hard food and turn him out more at the very least.
Your idea of turning him away sounds a good one.
However like you I owned ponies years ago and someone more experienced may come along with better advice.
 
I would just book a lesson with your instructor after a day his been schooled by the yard and go from there, I would then make sure you have a lesson once a week and continue with the yard schooling him a few times a week until your fitter and more confident,to be honest his only being ridden 3 times a week which is not much so no wonder his a bit fresh I am sure once you get back into it he will be fine, most horses will have a buck on the lunge doesn't mean he will when ridden, also remember they are earning money riding him while you are not its in their interest to want to keep exercising him for you, when you have a break from riding it's a natural thing to get a bit nervous and worry about it I would just get on and do it the sooner you do the better it will be for your confidence.
 
They reckon that him feeling better has something to do with it. He doesn't have hard feed at all, just Thunderbrooks chaff, with balancer and gastroplus ulcer supplement and some nupafeed MAH which is magnesium. I did wonder if it was the magnesium but he's been on this now for about a month.
 
Who told you that he would now be too much for you? If it is one of the yard staff, rather than the YO, or an instructer, I would thank them for their advice and ask that they no longer have the ride on him. If he is now significantly fitter/more muscled/ with more weight because of the ulcer treatment, then it is possible that his saddle needs re-fitting. I think I would move him from his current yard and leave him unridden until you are fit to ride again, have a few lessons on a school horse to let you know that you can still ride and then crack on with your own horse, on your own terms :)
 
Pinkvboots said:
I would just book a lesson with your instructor after a day his been schooled by the yard and go from there, I would then make sure you have a lesson once a week and continue with the yard schooling him a few times a week until your fitter and more confident,to be honest his only being ridden 3 times a week which is not much so no wonder his a bit fresh I am sure once you get back into it he will be fine, most horses will have a buck on the lunge doesn't mean he will when ridden, also remember they are earning money riding him while you are not its in their interest to want to keep exercising him for you, when you have a break from riding it's a natural thing to get a bit nervous and worry about it I would just get on and do it the sooner you do the better it will be for your confidence.
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Problem is I've seen my consultant today and they don't know when I'm going to be able to ride again. Also the person doing the schooling was the person that I was having lessons with - albeit only a couple and she didn't seem to think that my goal of doing some low level dressage next year wasn't achievable, in fact the opposite. I've had other outside trainers who have actually praised how well I was doing. My confidence was fine before I had to stop riding, and don't feel nervous at the thought of riding again even now.
 
YorksG said:
Who told you that he would now be too much for you? If it is one of the yard staff, rather than the YO, or an instructer, I would thank them for their advice and ask that they no longer have the ride on him. If he is now significantly fitter/more muscled/ with more weight because of the ulcer treatment, then it is possible that his saddle needs re-fitting. I think I would move him from his current yard and leave him unridden until you are fit to ride again, have a few lessons on a school horse to let you know that you can still ride and then crack on with your own horse, on your own terms :)
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I got him a new saddle just after he was cleared of ulcers, in fact its being checked next week. Its the Head Girl who schools him (although more an experienced lady and BHSI than girl) and Yard Manager who's opinion this all is.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I would just book a lesson with your instructor after a day his been schooled by the yard and go from there, I would then make sure you have a lesson once a week and continue with the yard schooling him a few times a week until your fitter and more confident,to be honest his only being ridden 3 times a week which is not much so no wonder his a bit fresh I am sure once you get back into it he will be fine, most horses will have a buck on the lunge doesn't mean he will when ridden, also remember they are earning money riding him while you are not its in their interest to want to keep exercising him for you, when you have a break from riding it's a natural thing to get a bit nervous and worry about it I would just get on and do it the sooner you do the better it will be for your confidence.
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I can't ride for a while yet - at least a month or so .... :(
 
Dougal9 said:
I can't ride for a while yet - at least a month or so .... :(
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I would just leave him where he is for now it's only a month, then I would find another instructor who is going to boost your confidence not put you down and make you feel useless, it does sound like she has an ulterior motive for keeping you from riding him and then making you feel like you r not capable, he is your horse not hers you call the shots in fact if he were mine I would stop the schooling with this person all together and find someone else who will school the horse and teach .
 
Ok so first of all if his turnout has been reduced his energy levels will be higher as his not walking it off out grazing, so that could be part of the answer.

Secondly every horse will react differently to different riders, perhaps he's aware that he is being schooled by more experience riders and is stepping it up a gear, doesn't mean that he will be like this with you.

If he's only bucking on the lunge I wouldn't worry as that is surely the point of lunging him first, to get rid of excess energy.

Don't panic too much just see where you are both at when you are able to ride.

Keep up the ground work and build a stronger bond with him x
 
I would find another yard for him!
I would also turn him away until you are fit enough to ride him yourself. You will not be able to do much at first, so could build both of your fitness up together. I bet you are right when you wonder if theory have their eye on your lovely horse for another client. Have you actually witnessed any of the reported behaviour yourself?
 
I think I'd want to go and see one of these schooling sessions to see what's happening. Are they pushing him too hard? Is he bored? Maybe he just prefers to hack.

I wouldn't for a minute worry about him behaving that way with you, he never has before so try and put it out of your head. It sounds like you and your horse have the makings of a great team and maybe you just 'get him' in a way the others don't.

What I would worry about is being on a yard where the employees are such doom mongers! It's not for anyone to else to decide your horse is too much for you, frankly that's a bit rude and I also wondered whether it's become a case of him being schooled to sell on to another livery.

I'd be really quite cross and would be keeping an eye out for another yard.

The only other thing I would say is that one of mine becomes very anxious and highly strung on magnesium so it might be worth taking it away for a week and see if it makes a difference.
 
Go and watch him being worked and do it soon .
If he's settled and the yard is a good one I would not rush to leave .
When the time comes for you to ride him again get him onto a hay only diet and have him hacked out before you get on .
 
Thanks everyone. Already been looking out for another yard due to other issues - more care/yard/charges related. I have been and watched him schooled as I go to see him every day in an attempt to keep up the bond that we have, although I can't do a lot with him other than talk to him due to only having the use of one arm at the minute. He really only has 15 minutes schooling after being lunged for 10 and so is not excessively worked. He is different with each rider, when I used to hack him out he was almost a bit of a plod, yet when ridden by a couple of the girls they've always said he was very forward. I was also wondering about the magnesium as had read that it could make some horses fizzy so will definitely take him off that. I just feel so hurt and dismayed that knowing I am a bit on the sensitive side - just like my boy - how hurt I will be by these comments. I just guess everyone has their own agenda, and I need to toughen up and not be so trusting of everyone. :(
 
I had a similar experience when I sent my horse away, the people made me believe that he was too much for me to handle, because he was a rearer and convinced me that i was not good enough to work him through it, so they were going to sell him for me! but i decided to get him vet checked and turned out he was injured and that was the cause of his rearing!

i then found out that this person was doing similar to everyone that sent their horses to there, or who had lessons with him!
 
I had a pony as a teenager that everyone wanted to buy, she was good as gold, forward but safe and carried herself wonderfully, I won a few shows on her, she was perfect.
Until someone else got on her back, then she was either a bolting, bucking blur of black fury or ran to the corner of the arena dropped her head and wouldn't move until I came to get rescue the poor person on her at which point she returned to a sweetheart of a pony. That started happening after the very first time we met.
So I agree with what others have said, he could just be acting this way with that specific rider, if you've never had an issue with him being forward or bucking I wouldn't think you will when you get back on.

Would turning him back out until your ready to ride again be an option? That way he's not getting any fitter and you can get working again together?
He could also be bored on the lunge and therefore more excited when it's time to hack. A lot of horses play up a bit being lunged regularly as it gets boring for them just trotting around in a circle.
 
I would question why they are lunging him before schooling? Yes it can help some horses blow off steam but it can also teach them a bad habit- you want a horse to calmly walk around a school to warm up even if they have been in all night. Your horse probably would be perfectly able to do that so why do they lunge first? Also it is not necessary to get him that fit- lunging is hard work.

A lot of horses get a bit fresh over the winter with reduced turnout. My tb used to always feel the cold as well, which made him a bit on his toes. But always safe.

I hope your recovery continues smoothly. Believe in yourself. I had 4 months off riding due to pregnancy and it was amazing how nervous I felt getting back on! But it was fine!
 
pippixox said:
I would question why they are lunging him before schooling? Yes it can help some horses blow off steam but it can also teach them a bad habit- you want a horse to calmly walk around a school to warm up even if they have been in all night. Your horse probably would be perfectly able to do that so why do they lunge first? Also it is not necessary to get him that fit- lunging is hard work.

A lot of horses get a bit fresh over the winter with reduced turnout. My tb used to always feel the cold as well, which made him a bit on his toes. But always safe.

I hope your recovery continues smoothly. Believe in yourself. I had 4 months off riding due to pregnancy and it was amazing how nervous I felt getting back on! But it was fine!
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I agree that the lunging may be detrimental, it could be that they are almost training him to run about to get rid of excess energy rather than training him to relax and settle on entering the school, from a YO's point of view it costs less time, therefore money, to get the staff to lunge for 10 mins, ride for 20 than it would to do a proper schooling session where 10 mins at each end should be warm up/ cool down, I wonder if they are not turning out on the days they exercise him which would make him more fresh and not do the ulcer situation much good.

I would ask them to stop lunging, if he is playing about to let off steam he will get used to it and that needs to be nipped in the bud, also ask if he does get out every day, reduced turnout is expected but with his ulcers it should not mean he stays in for any longer than absolutely essential.
 
Dougal9 said:
That did cross my mind .... there are a couple of people on the yard who for one reason or another are now horseless, they've been there a lot longer than me. So yes, I did wonder this
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i would start on this possibility. They have suggested he is unsuitable,you won't cope so what can you do but sell him, no doubt at a considerably reduced price to someone they just happen to know who may be able to cope with him. I would play them along at this, ask what on earth you can do and see what they say. If they happen to know of someone it may confirm the situation and that they have set you up.
 
ycbm said:
Are they angling to buy him?
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I'm thinking this too.

My horse became a bit too much for me when I was less confident at the beginning of the summer because he ballooned in size, had a lot of energy and a lot more muscle and had decided he didnt want to listen. However only one person ever labelled him as dangerous and funnily enough he was the only one that knew my horses breeding and loved it. He did try persuading me a lot to sell the horse and even said I wouldnt get much for him (I knew that wasnt right because I know of several people who would buy him from me no questions asked).

I didnt sell him and just made myself become more confident. We have our bad days, but please anyone stick their hand up who hasnt had a bad day with a horse? You're lying if you put your hand up. :P He is getting better, but he is a very big and powerful horse, not big height wise as he's only 16.1 at a push but his body is massive and he uses his hind quarters for power naturally and they are solid muscle. Was actually surprised when the physio wanted even more muscle on him, I wont be able to stop him if he gets more muscley, I barely can now. :P
 
Along with numerous others here I have currently and have had previously the horse that is gold for me and a nightmare for anyone else. Trust your instincts with him and as others have said get a few lessons in. Also good to start off slow in the school when you first get back on, that way you can build up before going out. Hope you feel better soon.
 
Goldenstar said:
Go and watch him being worked and do it soon .
If he's settled and the yard is a good one I would not rush to leave .
When the time comes for you to ride him again get him onto a hay only diet and have him hacked out before you get on .
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Hay only - I wish, even on full livery our hay isn't adlib and I've just found out we have to pay extra during the winter for more hay to cover the lack of grazing !!
 
be positive said:
I agree that the lunging may be detrimental, it could be that they are almost training him to run about to get rid of excess energy rather than training him to relax and settle on entering the school, from a YO's point of view it costs less time, therefore money, to get the staff to lunge for 10 mins, ride for 20 than it would to do a proper schooling session where 10 mins at each end should be warm up/ cool down, I wonder if they are not turning out on the days they exercise him which would make him more fresh and not do the ulcer situation much good.

I would ask them to stop lunging, if he is playing about to let off steam he will get used to it and that needs to be nipped in the bud, also ask if he does get out every day, reduced turnout is expected but with his ulcers it should not mean he stays in for any longer than absolutely essential.
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The first thing I asked was that he be turned out for as long as possible, especially with the days being so nice and sunny. However, even if he is only schooled/hacked at say 11.00 he is put back in his stable. I have asked politely but firmly that because of his ulcers could he be turned back out after being worked but I was told no by the YO as she believes that he will be fine in his stable with some hay !! BTW I have been up there to find that there is no hay in his stable - the stock reply has always been ' Oh he must have just finished it ' .....
 
pippixox said:
I would question why they are lunging him before schooling? Yes it can help some horses blow off steam but it can also teach them a bad habit- you want a horse to calmly walk around a school to warm up even if they have been in all night. Your horse probably would be perfectly able to do that so why do they lunge first? Also it is not necessary to get him that fit- lunging is hard work.

A lot of horses get a bit fresh over the winter with reduced turnout. My tb used to always feel the cold as well, which made him a bit on his toes. But always safe.

I hope your recovery continues smoothly. Believe in yourself. I had 4 months off riding due to pregnancy and it was amazing how nervous I felt getting back on! But it was fine!
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When I was able to ride he was fine going straight into the school with me, I never used to lunge him beforehand and he was always as good as gold. Its only since the yard have taken over his schooling that the suggestion of being lunged beforehand came into it. As I'm on full livery I have 2 exercise sessions included in my package per week, and I have been paying extra for the 3rd one on the advice of this person (not YO) that it would be good for him - pah certainly don't believe that now. !!
 
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