Young horse not going forward

Besides all the checks to rule out pain, I will say, young horses are difficult. I recently sold my 5yo (who I had owned since 7 months old), because it was becoming clear to me that I am not the experienced, confident rider a young, green horse needs, and I couldn't get by on good intentions and cheery attitude alone. Sad, but hey, I enjoyed the experience of raising a baby, we had some lovely hacks together, and know I can at least do everything right apart from the riding haha!
I don't know your previous experience with horses, but I would definitely have a think about if you are the right kind of person and rider to be bringing on a young, green horse. You might also want to consider if he's actually been taught much before you got him, or if he's perhaps just had the very basics instilled in him. Definitely get professional help in, a good trainer who knows how to work with young horses.
 
I think you should ride him lightly because it might have nothing to do pain. Put him on the lugging a if he doesn’t look off or lame than chances he is not in pain. I just going to be honest it sounds more that it’s a behavior issue and playing up on your inexperienced. Horses can be brats .
 
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2321436621314558

For those that have Facebook. I don't know the background to the story but the caption implies it was completely hidden in the gum and only found after my EDT suspected something wasn't right and referred it to the clinic for further investigations.

Sorry, I swear I'm not obsessed with teeth haha. Just thought people might find it interesting.
 
I have had the experience of exploding when bringing in, many years ago. The horse turned out to have kidney failure and being turned out all day was making his back cold and his kidneys hurt.

I doubt if your horse has kidney issues, it is rare, but I would expect you to find pain somewhere. If you have blood from a vetting, i would be seriously considering testing it.
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Thanks everyone who has responded. I have the physio and saddler coming out next week. I rode him in the outdoor school and out for a hack with a friend at the weekend and he was fine. I am just going to do some gentle work this week until he is seen by specialists to rule out pain issues. I have a lesson with a very experienced instructor this week too. I have lessons once or twice every week. A different lady brought him in from the field the last few days and he was absolutely fine. Let's see what this week brings! :-) I really do appreciate all your responses, suggestions and stories!
 
If he was mine, I would be stepping back, getting him checked out, back & saddle & once given the ok, get him out hand walking as much as you can, I find it just as rewarding, stop for some grass, take some treats, look at the views, when he's happy to leave the yard with only your company, then start short hacks, you'll find your confidence & enjoyment in each other will increase immeasurably.
 
I find 4/5/6 is also the start of teenage drama with horses. They try things on, take the mick and push the boundairies exact same as humans.

however, until pain is ruled out you can say for sure.

but if he is the only one coming in at a certain time, if he hacks normal with others and a bit of a pain alone (can be confidence especially if not getting a leader vibe from you) and acts up at these times I'd be inclined to lean towards being a teenage brat
 
Aside from all the checks (back, saddle, teeth, training, vet), at 5yo he’s still green. Do you know his history on how long he’s been backed and riding away? Whilst I don’t necessary think big breaks help, I do think toning the work down and letting them just be for a bit is good, especially for young but ‘big’ and slow growing horses like Irish ones usually are (I know as I have one!)
 
Aly & Robert said:
Thanks everyone who has responded. I have the physio and saddler coming out next week. I rode him in the outdoor school and out for a hack with a friend at the weekend and he was fine. I am just going to do some gentle work this week until he is seen by specialists to rule out pain issues. I have a lesson with a very experienced instructor this week too. I have lessons once or twice every week. A different lady brought him in from the field the last few days and he was absolutely fine. Let's see what this week brings! :-) I really do appreciate all your responses, suggestions and stories!
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How does he act if your instructor rides him? As the behaviour sounds like it changes according to the situation and people involved it sounds like he's just pushing boundaries.
 
I would keep riding because you need the vet to see the behaviours and you don’t want to risk a reduction in symptoms due to rest .
I would call the vet immediately book the saddler and you have the physio coming .
Get the vet first this is a young horse and you need to get get on top of thing properly .
Ideally a vet who has experience in problems with performance type situations .
 
ownedbyaconnie said:
People probably get bored of me whacking this story out everytime but my mare had her teeth done routinely and never an issue yet was showing signs of pain somewhere. Eventually we found a cracked molar that definitely was not cracked before. After x rays found that tooth was cracked from root to crown so the whole time she had had a cracked tooth in her gum but to the naked eye teeth appeared fine. Extracted tooth and signs of pain gone.

I’m not saying it is teeth in your case I’m just saying don’t take anything at face value! Check, check and check again.
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this. Whilst the vet is there I would get them to take a look, make sure you tell them before they come so they can bring the necessary equipment with them.
If his teeth were done 3 weeks ago was he any worse afterwards or had this problem been going on long before?
 
Aly & Robert said:
A mix of indoor and outdoor schooling and hacking when other people are going out. I tried to take him out on his own but he is scared of everything when he is not with other horses. Hoping we will be able to build up to hacking on our own as he gets more used to the area!
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long reining miles around your hacking country. You can see everything he is thinking from the ground and when he needs help to be brave to get past things. If he is really scared even lead him out in hand to start with. You walking at his shoulder so his head is out in front and he has to put his brave pants on. At 5 he's only a baby still.
 
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