Morale boosting thread for those with new or tricky horses

[bandito]

I thought it would be nice (for me certainly ) to share some of the ups and downs of life with a new or tricky horse. I've had DHorse for 2 weeks - he's our first after years and years of riding school riding and I've managed to fall off twice in that fortnight. He's just jumped sideways at a scary hedge on his brand new hacking route and off I fall. I failed both times to hold on the reins and the darling stood still and waited for me to come and get him. He's a sweetheart but I am realising very quickly that moving a horse across the country and handing him over to a novice rider is going to have a few issues in the first year! On the bright side, he comes to call and stops when you say whoa. We're going to have fun together - but in all honesty, we aren't yet. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Bandito I've totally hijacked your thread.... This wasn't about me

I'd love a confidence and horsemanship camp too. The clinic I've found a 3 hr talk, no horses, just riders. X

It is really hard. I have a lovely new four year old who hasn't really put a foot wrong, but I'm still building my confidence on her because she doesn't feel like my other pony.
I think you need to give it time, for you to get to know the horse and them you, don't put any pressure on yourself but maybe have a low key goal, eg get to an intro dressage comp, do a 1 ft clear round, in six months, just to challenge yourself a little and push you softly softly out of your comfort zone. Lessons are the other key, find a nice instructor who gives you confidence, it's much easier to be brave with someone bossing you about !
My instructor schools mine once a week and I watch, she pushes baby horse more than I do and it gives me confidence to see the level of objection that results, as in well that's not too bad, I wouldn't die from that !
Kelly marks book " perfect confidence" is well worth a read

puppymouse - I wanted other people on here, it's not about me either but sharing the journey. Hi mummy, I know exactly what you mean about aspirations before you get a horse. I was thinking, "well I don't want anything too slow because I do want to compete after he's settled". I've had him 3 weeks and haven't been brave enough to canter yet!! Still, we're in it for the log haul.

mummy it might be worth getting an instructor out ASAP and booking multiple lessons a week if you can so that you only ride with someone on the ground to help you. I know you can't help feeling stressed but if you are that worried you risk unsettling the horse and then things could spiral downwards. An instructor will distract you from your worries and will give you the confidence to approach things the right way so that you will go from strength to strength with your new horse.

Puppy mouse - look for Amanda Kirkland page on Facebook I did an un mounted confidence course and it was really really good - resolved a lot of my issues. But I know she is planning mounted camps.

Sorry Amanda kirtland-page

Thanks Mrs I will.

Do any of you have an opinion on the pros and cons of having a horse on livery at a riding school (Not working liv)? A friend has suggested one she goes to that happens to be walking distance from where I'm moving to that may be persuaded to smuggle my boy in even though they don't do livery usually.

I'm thinking - more structured support, run by very experienced owner, plenty of company for hacking, better hacking, better facilities and arena and big herd for him depending on how they turnout (wouldn't want him in a pair I think he will get clingy).

Cons - might make him even more highly strung with so much going on, obviously moving him again so soon with set us back because he'll be worried. I may struggle more with getting him out alone if he gets more company?

I think it's six of one half a dozen of the other maybe but it's an interesting option and very close to home...

I've had DHorse for 2 weeks - he's our first after years and years of riding school riding

We've had horses most of my life and one thing I tell people time and time and time again that riding school riding and horses are not like riding your own horse at home.

Riding school horses by far and large go through teh same routine day in day out. They know their job, they know their routines, their surroundings and are used to a constant procession of different people working with them.

A 'real' (i hate that term, but take it to mean a non-riding school horse) is a little shit in comparison. Often they will have only had one or two riders and will be used to that rider and their specific clues and body language and riding style.

Give it time. You'll figure each other out.

I'd suggest booking some lessons - there are lots of great freelance instuctors who will come out to you - check with the BHS for registered instructors in your area - and work with you and your horse to help you get used to each other and make the most out of your riding.

Do any of you have an opinion on the pros and cons of having a horse on livery at a riding school

Lessons have priority over facilites so riding during the week can be difficult - the riding schools around here have three hours lessons each night - the one closest to us is 6-9 - and for most people who work full time that can be a real rush.

Also, if you have a nervy horse then kids running about and all teh comins and goings of a riding school might not be ideal.

And then there's the feeding issue - if you are on a small livery yard you can generlaly just say to everyone not to feed your horse - some horses have dietry issues / special meal plans / will bite your fucking fingers off. But that's virtually impossible to control at a riding school where there is such a high number of people coming and going.

Thanks Boo, I'm getting my saddle checked this week and I've booked a lesson for next week. My anxiety is mostly related to my experience with my last horse. I fell off many times, the horse had severe medical prob and had to be put to sleep. I've gotten it into my head that when I sit on a horse I'm likely to be launched into the air at speed. Last horse literally ran through a fence to get me off.

I have never before suffered with anxiety, I'm really struggling to see a way forward but I'll keep trying. When I rode new horse yesterday she danced around and felt like she was ready to run. In reality she was very good, she could have taken off down a very long bridle path but didn't. I was very scared, she could easily have picked up on that and taken off. A bit of a jog and dance was good really. In the past I'd not have worried at all. I flippin hate myself for feeling scared.

Puppy, what is the atmosphere like at the riding school. If it's very calm and well controlled I'd jump at the chance. On the other hand if there is a manic feeling then I'd steer clear. X

Keep going people - we've nearly got to the end of another week where we didn't put the Dhorses on Preloved

My goal for this weekend is for freelance instructor coming on Saturday and I will bloody canter my own pony. On purpose. In a direction I was expecting and at least had a part in deciding. We will also do some lunging over poles and a little crosspole on Sunday.

I've written it down and now it has to happen. What are your tiny goals?

Great plan bandito!

What I do will depend on whether I can get someone to hack out with me. If yes, we'll go through the woods or up the big hill. If not I'll do some long reining and schooling at the yard. There's so many diggers around because of work we're having done it's not a great environment if you're wary.

I don't know this riding my school at all - need to investigate with friend so will likely go for a couple of lessons there which would do me good anyway. Wish I could take the boy but no transport and too many questions would be asked. But gd point about feeding. He's mouthy enough already.

Puppy mouse rather than looking at a riding school - do some research for a professional or competition yard - that's where I am - including my kids ponies (that wasn't the original plan but it's just easier)
Yes there is more routine at a riding school - but it doesn't necessarily mean they know much more than the numpties at your current yard.
I didn't go looking for a competition yard - I meet the people who run it by accident really - and started doing lessons there.
Why I suggest it is that you need to find people who are used to horses with a little more "blood" in them - that have a level of skill that means they will basically tide anything - they will know about nutrition activity levels etc. My only caveat is to look at how the horses are treated , and what their attitude is too their horses - the people I am with are all about having the horses for the long haul, treat them well - but others treat their horses as machines - a means to an end. It maybe hard to find, but would be worth it in the end.

Thanks Mrs. I know someone who is moving their mare to a competition yard also walking distance from new house (can you tell I'm moving to a stupidly horsey village ) but I had concerns about people looking down on me and it being out of my price range. I intend to visit her once she's settled to test the water...

Well you do get what you pay for but - I pay the same for my horse and ds pony at the competition yard - as I would pay at the livery yard/riding school as that I used to go to. And some things are cheaper - they charge me less to ride my horse or give me a lesson- I think because I am a customer and part of there business .... Well actually that was the same at the other yard.
In terms of bitchiness and judgement - far less - far far less at competition yard - I think because they are professionals - but then every yard will be different.
I think at riding schools they are used to horses behaving a certain way - but professionals have had lots of horses and seen a lot more different behaviours. Now some professionals would resolve some issues in a way I don't agree with, but if they are likeminded then it can be fab - and a real help.
The pro at our yard loves starting horses , or working with problem horses - the thing I like about the way they operate , is in the way they deal with a problem is based on who the owner is and what their ability is. It's always a kind resolution , but it may be different for a happy hackers cob, vs a she jumpers youngster

We have decided tonight to sell DS new horse. He's a lovely tb, quite placid to handle but needs too much support jumping and DS isn't good enough. Even though he is 12 and got a be record and points , he needs confidence from rider whereas I need something to help DS a bit more.

He's a worrier and need stronger riding than DS can manage and both are losing confidence.

Any recommendations for a sales livery I can trust?

I know someone who does it in North Bristol Eve.

Bandito - keeping everything crossed for your canter this weekend xx

Well, Puppymouse bit of a hold up there. I had the freelance trainer come out this afternoon to help me make a plan and she said after lunging him then riding him that he was so unbalanced in trot when ridden that his 'spooks' were actually where he was losing balance and diving over to the fence for safety. She didn't recommend cantering him at all until his balance, strength and flexibility had been improved as we'd only freak ourselves out. What she did say was that he was a sweet boy and a good buy, but he needed some work before we would be able to do what we wanted with him. i am now a bit confused because although I respect her, I've seen videos of him jumping nice rounds at canter. Anyway, I can either do nothing, or pay for her to school him any number of times a week, or send him away for 6 weeks to her yard to intensively school him most days. This would cost just under £1000. I don't want to send him away, I don't think - I've only had him 4 weeks and he's settled nicely. To be honest, I'd miss him! So, no idea but it's been a long day and I will sleep on it. Hope your weekend is going well.

Blimey. That's unexpected. What do you think? I haven't had exactly same but was told by one of my boy's therapists that I should stop riding him until at least the end of the summer because he's "worried." I am ignoring this. Yes he's worried but he needs to be working and getting out and about with me.

If it was me I would get a second opinion (possibly a vet?) as well as follow your gut. I have ignored my gut a few times due to my lack of experience but I know this horse better than anyone in my world so I am starting to let myself trust that.

I have to admit that sounds like odd advice bandito. In my experience horses do spook and nap more when they are in pain, that's for sure, but if that's the case he needs to be diagnosed and treated by a vet. And I would imagine that if a horse was so unbalanced it could not be ridden in walk, trot and canter, he'd definitely have a physical problem a vet would find (with the exception of very young horses).

Did you have him vetted before you bought him? Did you see him ridden? Was he OK when ridden by another rider? It is possible that he was injured between then and now I suppose.

How old is Dhorse and what he done with his previous owners?

Gosh Bandito, that sounds a bit odd. I'd be weary of somebody who can offer a solution that means handing over almost £1000. X

Hmm, that sounds to me that she's after your money - as Mummy says it seems strange that both the answers involve her and you handing over money. I would start with the vet (and possibly ask if a referral to a physio would be beneficial) and then see. I used a physio for previous dhorse's kissing spine issues and the exercises were fantastic for building him up again. In the meantime I'd carry on with what you are doing, perhaps just more gentle exercise until you've had the vet.

See I wouldn't start with a vet, but would with a physio..... He may have worked well in the past , but strained something which means he is not working evenly.
I know how our physio works and she has with all our horses prescribed various exercises at different times to help with imbalance - it has been different for every horse/pony but has involved for one loads of walking up and down hills ( only allowed to canter once a week) , another pole work with poles raised on just one side.
I would look for someone who can give you that sort of advise - our physio only charges £55 per horse , and involves a treatment and and ongoing exercise plan. Cheaper than this trainer and I too am v sceptical about her advise