Advice for riding my 17.3hh horse

[Shantor]

I own a 7yo 17.3hh ID x TB gelding, backed as late 5yo, following a serious fracture and months of rehab. A friend started and backed him and I brought him on slowly as 6 yo, last summer.

He had secondary back problem, following months of box rest, so was given year out in field, plus physio. I restarted him on long reins in mid Aug this year, and sat on him end Sept.

My problem is that when I ask him to move forwards he doesnt because he seems to resent my hand! I know I have to keep a lighter hand but it is taking me upto 10 minutes to relax before he relaxes. My friend has led us round or he stops and panics for few minutes. Last weekend I got on him on my own, asked him to move and he gave small buckand I fell off and broke my wrist! I'm nursing my arm in plaster, cannot ride or drive, and feeling low.

He is a gentle horse, but still green, and I am thinking either he needs a more competent rider to give him confidence or whether the fault lies with me! I'm not sure how I'll feel about getting on him again.

Why can't I just get on him and ride him properly?! I've owned him since he was 6 months old and we've always trusted each other.

Any advice welcome!

[shaka]

The fact that he is bucking and not going forward leads me to think there is still something wrong with his back. It would be a worthwhile idea to get his back looked at again, maybe the weight of a saddle and rider has bought the problem back up again.

[PromiseMe]

It sounds like a mental thing...although its always possible thta there could be an underlying physical thing...

are you nervous when you get on him? If youre nervous...he can probalby feel you tense up on him...its so true - horses CAN tell (have you ever just looked somewhere when you were on the back of the horse and they jsut went where you were looking? Thats how alert they are!)
IF you tense up, he does too. He thinks that theres something to be scared of.
So why not just trust him...and relax on him! Dont get all workedup and nervous...have fun and enjoy it ;)

Or why not get a confident rider to ride him and see how they do on him? If he's fine with them....than confidence is a thing.

But if he acts up...its obviously something else! Than... Vet check time? Or profesional trainer?

[galadriel]

If you're sensing correctly that he resents your contact, then he may be objecting to your tension (as already suggested)--but he could also be in an inappropriate bit. Some horses have a strong preference for a mouthpiece. My TB won't go forward in a French link, but relaxes and softens into the bit with a regular snaffle. Some horses refuse to cooperate with a regular snaffle, but love a French link. Some horses prefer a mullen. It varies so much from horse to horse.

I would, however, also look into his back. It could be rmemembered pain, but there could also still be something going on. I know, only too well, that back problems take forever to clear up...if they ever do. (I have one myself.)