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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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:
Dobbyafreeelf · 12/03/2021 21:49

@Chocolatecakeandcoffee

I can’t walk him around as he would probably run off! There’s lots of help at the yard...the YO is v experienced and I’ve had lots of support...
So start by leading him around in the field. Then progress to following another horse in and out of the yard. Then around the school, over poles, tarps, round cones. Slowly slowly building both your confidences.

There's a saying with horses if you act like you have got 15 mins it will take all day. But if you act like you have got all day it will take 15 minutes.
It is very true!

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 21:54

Yes, the YO has shown me how to fit/use it and he is generally fine being led in it...

OP posts:
powershowerforanhour · 12/03/2021 21:56

start by leading him around in the field. Then progress to following another horse in and out of the yard.
Then around the school, over poles, tarps, round cones. Slowly slowly building both your confidences.

Well he might come round or he might always be an unreliable nutball. Would all the people suggesting all this natural horsemanshippy training think that this horse is likely to be one that you can put your daughter on come this summer and send her out for a hack and trust him not to have a sudden freak out at an imaginary bird, whip round in the road and bolt home across a main road? By which time it will be far too late to send him back. I think OP has "not fit for purpose" grounds to send him back.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 21:57

This is exactly what I’m worried about...

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 21:58

Where did I say they were kicking the shit out of Henry’s yard staff?
I worked in Newmarket for years.
I said most horses react to a new environment and that combined with a very nervous/novice owner will be exacerbated. Envoi Allen’s going to be getting the best groom on the yard as the hierarchy of these set ups go, and even the least experienced grooms will be confident capable horsemen. The horse in question is much better for the yard staff which suggests here that it’s a horse who is a bit unsettled in its new environment and learning it can push about a new owner. He needs boundaries.

If the OP has completely lost her confidence then that’s understandable but I’m saying that she may need more experience before buying a new horse if her lack thereof is making an issue worse.
I’d expect most horses to maybe be a be shouty/looky in a new environment not necessarily naughty but I would expect a slight difference in behaviour for at least a day or two.

Honeyroar · 12/03/2021 22:00

I have only had one equine, in 40+ years of horses, that has been this unsettled when it first arrived. It was my first pony - it took nearly a year until he settled and we were a team. My confidence was trashed in the meantime. I’m now a qualified instructor and I credit a lot of what I learned to that pony. I also look back and think the pony was completely unsuitable for me and I was lucky not to have got hurt.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:00

He’s not better for the yard staff...if anything he’s calmer with me...

OP posts:
Dobbyafreeelf · 12/03/2021 22:00

@powershowerforanhour

You can’t expect ANY horse, from a 2 year old racehorse to a 20 year old kick along to not react at all to a new environment.

Funny you should say that. Sir Gerhard, Envoi Allen, Quilixios and Ballyadam left Gordon Elliott's just over a week ago for their new yards and next week will be on the boat to Cheltenham to run in Grade 1s. And they are top flight young thoroughbreds not 10yo happy hacker schoolmasters. Do you think they have been refusing to go in a stable/freaking out when tied up/refusing to be caught except when they feel like it/bolting and barging all over Willie Mullins' and Henry de Bromhead's lads and lasses? I suspect not.

The difference is though that is their normal. Their consistency comes from the grooms and staff traveling with them. Grooms with decades of experience and confidence who can handle most things horses throw at them. There is a huge level of stress in sports horses. Which is clear when you look at the level of gastric ulcers and colic they suffer from. Just because you don't see the damage done doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Dobbyafreeelf · 12/03/2021 22:03

@Chocolatecakeandcoffee

Yes, the YO has shown me how to fit/use it and he is generally fine being led in it...
So the answer is no then! Unless the YO is a Monty Roberts instructor?
FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear · 12/03/2021 22:03

I'd advise having a good think - do you have the time and potentially money to invest in building your relationship to hopefully work on getting back to the confident and happy horse you were riding when you tried him, or do you feel you don't / can't and would be more confident and happier with a 'dope on a rope' seen it all done it all type of horse that will not bat an eyelash at what you want to do with your own riding and your daughters.

If you do want to invest some time and money, I can really recommend straightness training or general in hand training taught by an experienced trainer to build your confidence in handling your horse on the ground and your horses confidence in trusting you.
It's not yours or your horses fault that you have had a bad start, but you do both need a good foundation to start to build your relationship back up again together if you want to do so.
The hardest part will be beginning as with training and trust the handling and behaviour should all improve, but will depend on you being able to invest the time and money to build it as you currently don't have the experience to do this by yourself.

Don't beat yourself up whatever you decide to do, do what you truest feel is best for both you and your horse, even if that means giving him back.

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

I’m really ready for a horse...and have been building up to this for years!! I was super excited and try to handle him calmly and confidently and I like him! It’s just I bought him as a family hack and I am worried he will never be suitable...

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 22:04

Sorry I pressed send too soon. The issue with very very nervous/novice owners and the lack of routine is this slightly unsettled behaviour can spiral quickly.
I’m seeing a boat load of horses advertised from riders who probably needed more lessons/ a period sharing who bought in lockdown and are now overhorsed.

This is an unsettled horse who is not being kept in a routine and is quickly learning he can flatten OP. My point was not that all horses are this dreadful in a new environment but that I do think that unsettled behaviour can spiral in certain circumstances including no routine, not getting any confidence from their handler and also learning they can do whatever the fuck they want!

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:05

I am not sure I have the time or expertise for this! Do I have ground to return as not fit for job it was sold for...happy hacker?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:06

I have a loan horse too and have shared horses in the past...even the yard staff struggle...

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 22:06

Does your dealer offer a guarantee? Most of them do but on a set period so it may depend what was agreed

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:08

No particular guarantee but I think there is a law giving 30 days to return if not suitable

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:09

Is the consumer rights act 2015...

OP posts:
Haventhadaneggsinceeaster · 12/03/2021 22:12

Yes, law is 30 days for return if not fit for purpose, I.e. does not behave in the way that was advertised and does not meet the needs of the new owner as long as new owner specified what they were looking for

Honeyroar · 12/03/2021 22:15

It’s a bit worrying that they’re not answering your calls. What does the yard owner think?

lastqueenofscotland · 12/03/2021 22:15

Yes legally a horse is seen as chattel, so you have 30 days but I would get it in writing or it’s just he said/she said.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:15

Horse was sold as happy hacker...

OP posts:
user1342163286652 · 12/03/2021 22:15

@Chocolatecakeandcoffee

I am not sure I have the time or expertise for this! Do I have ground to return as not fit for job it was sold for...happy hacker?
It sounds more like he's been mishandled from the day you took ownership of him.

Don't buy another horse.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:18

I’ve sent a long text summarising everything today so that should be ok (in writing). They said they’d call later but haven’t (I’ve called 3x)...will ask YO tomorrow. The dealer has been dealing for a long time and is well known (has a good reputation obvs a few complaints but nothing only the dodgy dealer sites)

OP posts:
Sarahlou63 · 12/03/2021 22:19

Woah!!! Stop thinking of him as an animal and start thinking of him as a little child who's moved to a foreign country where he doesn't know anyone, doesn't speak the language, is scared shitless and needs someone to look after him and to rely on (even if he seems to be bolshy - it's self defence). At the moment his new field is his safe space and that's where he'll stay because whenever he leaves it he's being hassled.

Slow down. Go and sit in his field with a book. Chat to him, tell him you're scared and you know he's scared but it's all going to be OK. Relax your breathing and your body and watch him mirror you. If you must lead him, lead him around the field for a few minutes, give him a carrot and let him go again. Rinse and repeat until you are both 100% relaxed in each other's company. A horse is a 5/10/20 year commitment...the time you put in now will be repaid in years of enjoyment.

(BTW - I got my first horse at 48 - he was 27 and a saint. The next was a very opinionated 10yr old Section D and it took 6 months to make any sort of connection. 11 years (and another 6 horses!) later he is my rock).

You have bought a horse and you want to enjoy him - I get it. But he is a sentient being and he needs a calm leader that he can trust.

Original poster
Chocolatecakeandcoffee · 12/03/2021 22:19

It sounds like you have nothing helpful to say!!!

OP posts:
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