nerves

[vickiesapaint]

This is my first post, so please bear with me.

I have a 6 year old appy gelding(Kirby), I've had him for a 1 1/2 years but I have only ridden him 2 or 3 times because I'm scared of him. The first time I rode him after I purchased him he did fine until the very end, out of no where he bolted and bucked and of course I came off and got hurt fairly bad. Everytime someone had ridden him they came off... until I took him to a trainer where I had him there for 7 months. He never offered to do any of that for the trainer he is a pretty mover, does just about anything you ask of him easy and willing learner, ect ect. The day I picked him up the trainer said he was just going to ride, not lunge first just so we can see how he is, he did great for about 10 min, then he threw his fit.

We found out that he HAS to be lounged before riding him to get his "itchies" out. Both my sister and my brother-in-law have ridden him and he did fine, but they lounged him first.

So here's my question(s), does anyone have any suggestions as to get over my nervousness? I have a mare that I ride regularly and she gives me problems(like most mares can) and I have ridden quite a few other horses also trying to get my confidence up, and I have NO problem riding any other horse, it's just him.

My other question is, does anyone have any suggestions as to help him too. Like I said he does fine once you lounge him, but before that his back is curled up and he is just a big ball of nerves. (Owner and horse alike I guess )

I would like to sell him, but I don't want to sell someone a dangerous horse. I don't have the time for him and he really deserves something better than just standing out in the pasture.If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[Colorado Sunset]

Hi,

Id say, getting your confidence up is the most important thing you can do. If you have access to other horses to ride, try and gain more confidence on those. However, if you really feel your confident on other horses and not on your own, sadly i would recomend selling him You said youd worry about selling on a dangerous horse, but if you chose his home carefully, he could end up going to a home where the owner has more time and experience with such problem horses, and he could have a better time with it.

You wont enjoy riding if you are worried about being safe, so i would really advise getting a new horse or just riding at a local stables, or some friends horses for a bit, so that you get your confidence bak and then you can get a horse more suited to you that you will enjoy.

Good luck, keep us posted and remember that riding is something you should be excited about, not worried.

Jo

[vickiesapaint]

It helps knowing that I'm not doing a bad thing by selling him. He was my first horse so I have that sentimental attachment to him. Thank you!

[Tetra]

It sounds like selling him may be your best bet. Sometimes a horse just turns out not being "the one," and you just pick yourself up and keep looking. It's not your fault that things didn't work out, you didn't choose to be scared of him and it is much easier said than done to get over one's fears. But it's not his fault either, I doubt he's doing this to you on purpose.

I say keep riding other horses, continue to work on your confidence and find a new home for Kirby. I wouldn't be worried about selling someone a "dangerous horse" as long as you are honest with the buyer. If they know about his quirks and still want him then you should be able to put your mind at ease that they are prepared and knowledgable about the situation.

Good Luck!

[horseygal90]

Keep riding, it just sounds like this isn't the horse for you. If you sell him, then he can go to a home where the owner can ride him, and isn't so scared. Good luck!

[NoviceNic]

I too had the same problem with the first horse I bought. I tried and tried but no improvement was being made. I moved her up to a livery yard and watched other people ride her and then I had a few lessons on her. The main problem I have is on the ground. The mare would pull away from me and go running off at the most silliest of things. In the end I sold her to a lovely couple of women and I kept in touch with them and they love her to bits. I said I would never buy a horse again but every summer I get the riding bug. By chance I heard of a cob for sale from an ex riding school. I went to ride him for a fortnight and the owners agreed to lend me him at my field for a fortnight. Captain and I get on famously. My confidence is growing day by day. Today we cantered most of our hack. This is what riding is all about!!!!!!!!!

[Angiebabe]

Sounds like your horse might be cold backed and will always need lunging first. Think I agree with the others, you either need to take time and lessons to get confidence back or sell her and get something that will give you the confidence you need.