Serious Injury - What would you do 😞

[IKnowItsNotMine]

I’ve posted on here before about a difficult horse that I own, and had some good responses so I need you now wise people more than ever !

So after 6 months of steady progress and him starting to make good decisions, he was in a new environment (clinic at a big venue) and although started difficult, ended up settling and doing some nice work. He then bolted and bronched me off. I’ve broke my ankle in several places and have had metalworker put in.

Like most people on here, I work hard to have a horse, and have other responsibilities that have been massively disrupted by this new injury.

I feel that his bad decision making is having too much impact on my (and my family’s!) life. Is it time to call it a day ?

(I could write an essay with all the details but it will start me crying I feel so down) xx

I haven't seen your previous posts I don't think but I presume he has had thorough vet work up eg xrays etc? Plus usual dentist/saddle fitting?

He’s had the works.
Full treatment and ongoing management of ulcers.
All back work and regular massages.
Teeth regularly seen and dotted bridle and bit.
Every shortcut, gadget, and supplement explored !
Fitted dressage and jumping saddles.
Kept on a yard that specifically suits his needs in terms of management.
3 month stint at a behavioural specialist.
Involvement from a very well known horse trainer.

I'm sorry to hear this. I'd say don't feel the need to make any hasty choices while it's all so fresh and painful (literally!) - it won't do him any harm to have a few weeks on the quiet list while you consider your next steps. What does your instructor/trainer think, did they witness the most recent incident?

It does sound as though maybe you're reaching the end with this horse, it's meant to be a fun hobby after all and if you can't trust your horse (for whatever reason, not necessarily anyone's fault including yours and the horse's) then it's going to be a struggle. There's no shame whatsoever in admitting defeat so long as you then consider the horse's future responsibly and don't pass him on to an unsuitable to be a problem for someone else.

Do you enjoy anything about him currently, what are his good points? Is he a safe hack for instance? Can you afford to semi-retire or fully retire him and still have a ridden horse for yourself, or would it be possible to loan him out or sell to a home experienced in dealing with difficult horses (if you are confident you have got to the bottom of any physical issues of course and with full disclosure of previous issues) - can your well known horse trainer assist with this? I hesitate to say more vet investigations needed as I know full well what an expensive and heart-breaking road to go down that is but have you considered a full loss of performance work up with nerve blocks, x rays etc at an equine/vet hospital? Physios/massage people/back treatments are a brilliant tool but they can't necessarily diagnose the more structural/hidden issues going on in the same way a specialist with access to all the imaging etc can (IME even a normal equine vet can't always properly diagnose things like kissing spines or arthritic changes, particularly if the issue is intermittent and horse seems fine/sound when they examine).

Yes, what maxelly said… what type of ulcers has he had? Squamous and/or Pyloric? Has the vet said why he had ulcers? Many times they’re caused by pain elsewhere in the body (not just diet), so if that’s not addressed the ulcers will keep coming back along with the behavioural issues.

Unfortunately, omeprazole and Sucralfate do not always resolve the ulcer issue.

Then you are looking either something physical which hasn't yet been identified eg has full body scintigraphy been done OR you are looking at serious long term behavioural issues. My friend's horse has gone through similar and only after full body xrays and fullbody scintigraphy have they found the root cause.
Horses aren't "naughty" for the hell of it and I agree with PPs that further investigation will probably be needed.

Horses aren’t naughty for the hell of it, but it’s clear you have been incredibly thorough in your investigations. I do think there is a point where it’s ok to call it a day with a horse. I despise bolters, (proper bolting, not just something getting a bit silly/spooky and pissing off for 20 strides), it’s so insanely dangerous and probably wouldn’t get on a known bolter. But appreciate it’s slightly different when it’s your own horse.

It’s an incredibly expensive and time consuming hobby and for that you expect the return to be that it’s fun and you enjoy it!

Owning a horse is supposed to be fun. If you are not getting on with him, sell him. Find one you can have fun with.

Very hard to sell a confirmed bolter though and I would worry about who would buy it/where the horse would end up. So many stories about medicated horses + unscrupulous dealers

The options I feel I have left are to pay a friend to have him on grass livery and essentially retire him, or PTS.

I have enjoyed doing local club dressage at a very quiet and familiar venue for him for the past 4 months, but up until this latest episode, the would have said he’s not a bucker, but he actual shocked me how determined he was to get me off.
My trainer didn’t witness it and is also shocked, but the instructors who saw it said it was nasty.
I can’t risk him doing this with me or anyone else again in the future.

Tbh I'd PTS if he's dangerous and you haven't found the cause by now. He's likely in pain from something not obvious and you get spend £'000s trying to get to the bottom of it. I certainly wouldn't sell a horse with those issues it would be pts of retirement wasn't a realistic option.

I haven't seen your previous story but it sounds like you, at least, have reached the end with him as you will struggle to trust him now. Personally I would try to find a rescue that would be happy to have him for the long term and only rehome as a companion if they don't make any headway. I know of one of these. My own horse was deemed to only be a companion but they let me give him a go and we now hack out happily. 'normal' horse work just didn't agree with him as he had been too damaged. But they were also happy to have him live out on the 100s of acres they had in their herd. pm me if you would like their details x

I definitely think it is time to call it a day with this horse. Next time it might be your neck you end up breaking. If you can afford to retire him then I'd do that, but if not PTS sounds like the only option. I have been in a similar situation, and it is shit.

Riding is a risky enough sport without risking getting on something like this.

I would retire or PTS and know you’ve done everything possible. Get something you can actually enjoy!

Not aware of other issues with your horse from past posts, what we tolerate as risks reduces when we have family commitment jobs.. If it was a one off accident I would say stick at it as falling and injuring yourself can massively knock your confidence. But it seems as if youve done your best and would be suited to something that doesnt bolt and bronc, I wouldnt consider a bolter nowadays. Not an easy decision as you will have bonded with the horse. Whatever you decide you have done your best and its okay to put your future safety first, whether retiring the horse, buying a new or taking a break from riding. Wish you luck

Honestly - its not worth this! Its not worth the stress, the potential injury (and actual injury), the waste of money. It is supposed to be fun. It is not fun. Therefore, either find a new home for him (you never know - someone might look past this and see his talent) or PTS.

I bought a TB who was missold, had issues and was becoming dangerous. Sold him (fully disclosed) at a knock down price to a young experienced girl. They click.. She can sit his crap. And she was delighted to get a cheap talented horse. Be honest - but also open to selling.

Thanks for your responses and good advice!

Update - I rehomed him to a charity who rehabilitate and where possible place in suitable homes. They will always be his owner, they will never sell him.

They sent me videos of him being turned out with their herd on their massive farm. They have many others, as well as donkeys and an ostrich.

I have mixed feelings at the moment, I’m overwhelmingly sad it didn’t work out. All the stories you read of difficult horses seem to end with success but he didn’t. I know now he had undisclosed issues when I brought him. I had professional riders on him from the start. I took him right back to basics twice, I had specialist involvement to get to the route of the behaviour. Nothing worked long term and I feel a life on the hills is where he needs to be.

Im glad I didn’t just sell him on to an unknown, unsecured future.

Honestly most stories of people with difficult horses don’t work out. Yes you hear about the person who can’t rise to the trot yet buying a three year old and they end up jumping at Hickstead but in the main those horses just sat unridden, or sold as projects for rock bottom prices.
I do a bit of instructing and I see a lot of people who overhorsed themselves who ride their horses once a week, won’t go faster than trot and only in one end of the school

People are far more likely to tell you that it did work out than admit

Woops pressed send too soon! They are far more likely to tell you when it did work out than tell you that no, that horse advertised as being a saint who only cost £1k obviously was missold, or no buying that ex racehorse as their first horse was indeed a disaster