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Original poster

New horse all gone wrong

172 replies

Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 19:41

First horse, been a dream for many years (am 44) and has all gone wrong. He arrived with a cold and had to be kept in a stable until he was better. He’s never been kept in a stable and ended up being in for four days. On the fourth day he was tied up outside the stable while being mucked out and broke the twine and bolted off to the fields on the head collar and lead rope. No one could catch him so the YO said to put him in the field. I left him for the weekend to settle in (visiting him in the field, grooming a bit and giving a few bits of apple). On Monday caught him and led him to the yard for some food (just held the lead rope while he ate) then straight back to the field). Same on Tuesday. Wed tried to tie him up while he had his food but he got a bit stressy. Thursday he was ridden and was ok although tried to run off as the halter was around his neck as I got the bridle on. Luckily one of the girls who work at the yard managed to hold him. On Friday I caught him and was going to ride but he was stressy and one of the girls who work there rode him. He was ok. On Sat and Sunday I just caught him and brought him down for some chaff and carrots/apples. Monday-Tue he was caught etc and ridden on Tue. All good. Wed and Thurs caught him then he ran off. Managed to ring him down to yard for food. Today he bolted as I was trying to tack him up knocking me flying and almost running into a lady who was leading her horse to the field. He then broke into the field. I managed to rug him up and left him. I think he’s not suitable. He was lovely when I tried him and I thought he’d be great. Am so sad now...I need to return him to the dealer. He was meant to be a happy hack for me any two daughters but we don’t have the experience and I am worried he will hurt them with his bargey behaviour. Can I return him to the dealer as not suitable (I’ve let her know but she’s not answering my calls)? It’s been 21/2 weeks since I got him. Thanks for reading

OP posts:
Hollywhiskey · 12/03/2021 19:57

Honestly, you've had him for hardly any time at all and I wouldn't be writing him off. No one told him he was moving home and changing owner and yard away from his friends (twice, as you got him from a dealer). It's no surprise he's feeling unsettled.
It also sounds like he's been used to living out and he spent a few days stabled when he arrived? So this would make him more energetic and difficult to handle, especially if he wasn't getting out for a good couple of hours work like a long hack or something.
It is also likely that he's made you nervous now so when you handle (or ride) him you're tensing up, and then he's feeding off your nervous energy. Horses are herd animals and you're his leader - he needs to take confidence from you, if you're worried, he'll think there's something to really worry about.
In your shoes, I would keep him and give him a decent shot. You haven't said anything in your post that makes him sound like a bad or even unsuitable horse, just an unsettled one that needs a routine and more turnout.
I would get him in the field as much as you can, 24/7 if possible. Then I'd get him into a good routine when he knows what time he's going to see you each day to be caught, brought in and groomed etc. I would be bringing him in at least once a day.
As for his work, I would try to work him every day or as close to it as you can. It doesn't have to be strenuous, just 'hey, you live here now, and this is what we do' - even 20 minutes of calm focused work in the school. Have you got a good instructor supporting you? We all need lessons, even Charlotte Dujardan, and right now you need some good support to get your relationship with this horse off to a good start.

ApplestheHare · 12/03/2021 20:06

As above, I'd say it's not been long and he deserves a chance. There's no shame in asking for support while you both find your feet!

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:10

He’s been out 24/7 for two weeks...

OP posts:
EbbandTheWanderingHearts · 12/03/2021 20:12

Have you googled the dealer for reviews / checked The Dodgy Dealers pages on Facebook? The fact that the dealer is not responding to you is a little suspicious. How was the horse when you tried him? Did the vet mention anything about his character on the vetting? Didn't the dealer say whether he lived in or out? All that said, I do think it takes longer than 2 weeks for a new horse to settle.

scotsllb · 12/03/2021 20:13

I agree with above. It sounds like you've lost your nerve with him and that's understandable but with some support and a good routine you should be able to turn this round.
I would a million per cent get a decent instructor to advise and guide you with him and get lessons just now so any issues can be nipped in the bud and to give you extra confidence with him.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:14

Thanks for your replies...I just feel he won’t calm down and that he’ll always be like this...never had a horse before and don’t know what to do. Have been in tears all evening as feeling so sad as care about him. Have lost confidence...the experienced people who work at the yard also find him nervy and I don’t know if I can tack him up now without him running off to the field

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 20:16

2 weeks is absolutely nothing for a horse to settle.
Who was the dealer if you don’t mind me asking (feel free to PM if you don’t want to say here)
Unfortunately I do think some less scrupulous dealers have taken advantage of their being more novice buyers on the market than usual and have been selling unsuitable animals.
Although it sounds like he was fine for the more experienced handlers/riders so it may be a boundaries issue.

I mean this kindly OP but even the quietest horse will probably be a bit tense/unsure in a new environment and will be even more so with someone who is nervous. If you can’t deal with that it may be better to get a bit more experience maybe sharing/stable management lessons etc.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:16

The dealer was recommended and the YO knows her...I have lessons booked in and schooling...is yard for me to establish a routine as I can’t always get to the yard at the same time...

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:18

I have a horse on loan too at the same yard so me and my daughters were meant to share the two horses...

OP posts:
scotsllb · 12/03/2021 20:20

Does the yard owner know how to contact the dealer if you can't get it touch?
I can completely understand how sad you must feel as what you thought would be great now seems like a nightmare and you have a horse you feel is dangerous and that is no fun at all.
Did you have the horse vetted prior to buying? Do you know the precise owner before the dealer for any background info on him?
What type of horse is he?

WildWaterSwimmer · 12/03/2021 20:21

I would return the horse to the dealer now before too much time passes and it's too late. You need a safe steady horse for you and your daughters and this horse is not what you need.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:22

Meant is hard for me to establish a routine with visiting the same time each day...

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 20:25

If you can’t establish a routine you need to put the horse on a livery package. That will exacerbate issues with this and any horse, especially when they are settling in.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:26

I had the horse vetted and he failed due to the cold...I bought him as I knew he’d get better (and was reassured by the YO knowing the dealer). He was lovely when I saw him...chilled to ride and friendly. I got a good feeling. I do need something safe though. I should be able to return him??? Am worried now as dealer not returning calls. YO should be able to get in touch though...

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:28

The field livery is diy. They don’t deal with the field liveries at this yard at all. I can get there every day just not at the same time (although 4 days a week at the same time). I would be happy to put him on a livery package but he can’t be stabled...

OP posts:
Lineofconcepcion · 12/03/2021 20:28

For the running off, have you tried tacking him up in the stable, what about cutting down on food?

Don't forget the spring grass is coming through so all those sugars are creating a lot of energy, some more than others.

How old is he?

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:30

There’s no grass in the field (the get ad lib hay). He also has no hard feed just chaff and some chopped apple/carrot...I can’t tack him up in the stable as he won’t go into a stable now...

OP posts:
TashieWoo · 12/03/2021 20:31

I agree with what others have said in that you haven’t had him long and he still needs to settle.

Is there a stable you can use when you bring him in? I think he needs a ‘safe space’ that is his, where he eats his feed, has some hay and is groomed etc. If he is known for being nervy and pulling back when tied up I wouldn’t tie him up - until you get to know him and he settles do everything including tacking up in the stable, it just removes a lot of the risk. And not to nag but don’t put the headcollar around his neck when you put the bridle on; most horses don’t like this much and if they pull back it can hurt their neck.

Good luck with him. With some patience and lessons it should come right. Did you have him vetted?

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:31

He’s 10...

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:31

Thanks for all the replies..,I appreciate the advice. Is all just so hard...

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OldSpeclkledHen · 12/03/2021 20:32

Ok ... so my horse who I've had for years always gets stressed if we move yards... And I know her!

He's had everything he knows changed. It'll take a while to settle.

You are doing right thing by just gently getting to know him , but lessons are the quickest and best way to build confidence in each other.

Re living out 24/7 - is that doable? We switched last Dec to 24/7 turnout - best thing I've done for a long time (so far anyway!) It'll give you more time (not mucking out, filling haynets - god I don't miss that!) to spend with him

My mare bucked me off within the first two weeks of owning her, broke my hand, so for 6 weeks we just walked in hand! Now, I'd not be without her.

Give him (and yourself!) a chance... it's unknown for both of you

Good Luck xxxx

The3rdWatermelon · 12/03/2021 20:32

I agree with PP. Two weeks is no time at all to settle, especially if he was taken out of his old routine by stabling and then gave himself a fright breaking the twine.

When I got my horse I’d loaned him for a year at another farm before I moved him home, so I knew what he was like normally. If I hadn’t known him I would have thought I’d been swindled. He was horrible. He got really stressy and bargey, dragging me round the stable and back to the field, knocking me out of his way, aggressive faces, no manners, threatening with his back feet. It took him about 3 or 4 months to settle down, with the help of a really good instructor, and now I’ve had him 6 years and we have a fantastic time together. We hack, we’ve done dressage, a bit of jumping, trec, sponsored rides... he’s currently teaching my 6 year old niece to ride.

Give him time and get an instructor to help you gain your confidence back with him.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 20:36

He’s out 24/7. Might see if I can pay for a stable for him so we can use it for a feed groom etc. What about the barging and running off?

OP posts:
FurrySlipperBoots · 12/03/2021 20:43

Is he in with another horse, or all on his own? If he's used to sharing maybe he's stressed because of that? If he's in with another horse maybe bring them in together/go on a walk together at first to help himsettle and get used to the new surrounding with a reassuring 'friend' around for support.

Dobbyafreeelf · 12/03/2021 20:45

Ok so two weeks in is not time for him to settle. Forget riding for the minute. You need to build a relationship with him, that takes time. You need to spend time on the ground grooming and doing groundwork fo build his trust. I wouldn't even consider rising him until that has established.

What are you feeding him. If he is on anything other than grass and hay stop feeding him. Most horses don't need the concentrates that they are being fed. All they do is hype them up. Stop all hard feed for two weeks at least. Then see where you are at. If he needs feed build it in slowly and really do your research as to what your feeding. What works for one horse won't be right for another.

When you do bring him in make sure you are nice and relaxed. If your in a rush or are stressed then don't bring him in. You want him to come in calmly and relaxed. Wander in rather than be on a mission. Don't hold the rope to tight so he can move his head and look about. For the moment being him in with a buddy so he's not feeling stressed being away from other horses. Don't drink caffeine ect before handling him as it may make you more anxious.

Is he turned out with other horses. If he's not he should be. Solitary fields are no good for any horse no matter what the owner thinks.

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