help someone!!!!

[panther]

hi all.
i have just brought a nw horse(19 yrs)
unfortunatly he has decided to only take of into a full gallop and wont stop for anything..i have the nessecary bit to control this but it doesnt work..he also head skakes, so i have a martingale on which also doesnt seem to help much..does anyone know how i can mount this horse and not kill myself with his speed...he does it with everyone not just me but i am not such an experienced rider, and i`m now scared of him!!
it seems that jus 1 slight kick sets him of into high speeds round and round the feild and it takes ages to stop him as i`m more concentrating on hanging on for dear life...
please dont message me back saying , get rid of the horse as this is not the answer i`m looking for
thanks
sam

[lesley cox]

well if you don't want to sell him then the other options open to you are to get some one else to ride the horse for you, some one a little more experienced to re-educate him. Since you say that you are inexperienced you need to get some lessons. Dont be tempted to ride him in open spaces such as fields, or hack him out on the road, ride in an enclosed school or small paddock under supervision or on the lunge is best. When you ride him wear a riding hat to the new specification and a body protector.

You definately need the help of an experienced person before you get seriously hurt.

But please always keep it in your mind that if it doesn't work out then selling him is best not only for you but also kinder for him. Remember it costs just as much to keep a horse that you can ride and enjoy as one that scares you (that is no fun at all and very dangerous).
Hope this helps
Lesley

[hlstarmie]

im sorry to hear that you have bought a horse that seems out of control. did you ride the horse etc before you bought him? if not then you might of seen all this if you had of done. :(
also how long exactly have you had him as he might still be unsettled although a horse should not act like that anyway, but being 19 yrs old and attached to his old owner and that he will need time to settle down.
there are a couple of things you could try, lunging him before you ride him so he hasnt got so much energy, get a qualified horse behavourist in to assess him, she will then tell you the best thing to do.
Have you tried riding him out in company?
also if you havent had him vetted it might be worth getting him checked over just incase he is running away from pain.
hope you sort it out. :)

[Mossy]

He sounds rather more than a handful!. What is he like when lunging and longreining? Also you say you have the necessary bit, what bit are you using? This is probably a silly question but have you checked his tck to make sure everything fits? Also what is he being fed on, and does helive in or out, as that can make an enormous difference?
This sounds like one for Heather on this site, and direct expert help for you. Your local saddler will probably have small ads to help you find a good instructor, if you cannot get one by word of mouth. The other option is look on the intelligent horsemanship site for one of their agents but they do not come cheap!
Good luck

[Caz&Irena]

Dear Panther
I cannot emphasise enough, get yourself a really good trainer. It pays dividends. I have also got a 'problem' horse but he is schooled by someone much more experienced than me and he is coming along really well. If you see my posting 'On Top of the World' and my earlier one in March entitled 'Am I Doing the Right Thing?' you will see what I mean. Best of luck and take things slowly.
Gillian