New horses - common issues/problems... let's share :)

[PatchyPony]

Hi guys,

Having had 2 'first' horses lately and having taken much comfort from reading others similar stories, I thought a thread dedicated to 'first horse/new horse issues' might be good

I'll go frist -

Danny - my first 'first'. Totally differnt when we got him home. Instead of settling over 2 weeks he got worse and more bolshy. Bullied me and I ended up feeling unsafe. So Danny and I parted company.

Tally - my second 'first' What I would have expected in terms of being unsettled in a new place. HArd to catch first few days and had to put her in a small paddock by herself and work with her with treats etc, she was ok after a few days. Jumped out of field to say hello to girls next door! let herself out of her stable overnight - door now tied shut! Tanked off with me - now going steady with the feed and got a hanging snaffle! Nappy in the school with other horses there and very fizzy if oher horses are there- work in progress

 

[Yann]

I think people sometimes underestimate how much some horses will be unsettled by a change of home and a new owner. It's also perfectly normal and natural for them to test the boundaries after an initial period of shell shock

Rio was uncatchable once she was turned out, but I had a plan and it worked Tess seemed to take it all in her stride and was never a problem.

 

[kirstinbell]

I think I've been extremely luck with Casper - don't know if it's because he knew me for a couple of months before I bought him?

He's completely settled into the herd, is very easy to catch (although he refuses to walk himself over the large puddle at the gate and insists I trawl though it to get him!!)

He's taken the move from a small livery yard with only 10 horses to a massive riding school and yard with over 70 horses completely in his stride and everyone has commented on how we'll he's settled in.

He had his first experience in and indoor school and was completely unfazed by it (although he doesn't seem to like the big mirror on the wall)

I think this must be down to his good, laid back nature- Casper doesn't spook at anything is is genuinely very interested in everything around him.

I'm really proud of how well he's done and as he's my first horse he's made the whole thing so easy for me!

 

[Gimp]

I also think its all about learning there ' quirks '

For instance I know Kai will sometimes spook at a battery pack coming out of his field the first time it was there he nearly flattened me ( hes usually a dope on a rope to lead!)

Now when its on I can prepare in advance.. just saying come on donkey... and postively leading him..


Even though I have known him/ been around him since he was 17months old all hes done is been stood in a field.

When I brought him home when I got him... the transistion to having a ' meaningful things to do' was a nightmare!

For instance he couldnt understand why I went to catch him daily to bring in!! ( resulting in rearing in field and some dodgey moments!)

He couldnt understand why this farrier man kept coming!

He couldnt understand the art of standing to be groomed! ( groomed whats this lark!!)

having a bond with a horse is certainy the most amazing thing! Having such a large beasty start to accept you and trust you is great.

Hes now a dope on a rope lazy sod ! but I would rather have to push then leap out of the way of a crazed rearing swine!

 

[kirstinbell]

I also think its all about learning there ' quirks '

See I'm actually finding this quite hard with Casper as he was kept at an NH yard and has been taugh so well and had such a structured routine that he doesn't have that may quirks because his prior owners have always been very clear and strict on what he is and isn't allowed to do and any issues has already been addressed.

That might seem like a strange thing to complain about but I sometimes feel that this stops his true personality coming though??

I was given lots of tips and instructions from his prior owner on how to continue his routine which I've been doing but that means that I haven't really had to learn anything - they'd already made me aware of it all.

Just feel as though I haven't truely bonded with him even though he makes me feel perfectly safe and always does what I ask.

 

[jazzybear]

Ive had mine since they were 6 months old - when i got them they were wild so took some time to settle.

Moved to a new yard last year and we had all manners - one of them used to rear and try striking out everytime she was led in, the other would plant herself and refuse to come in at all.

After a few weeks, they settled and are now back to their good old selves.

I got another earlier this year and got her off lorry and she walked about as if she owned the place. Havent had any probs with her at all

 

[Gimp]

Just feel as though I haven't truely bonded with him even though he makes me feel perfectly safe and always does what I ask.

On the other hand your horse may be one of those faultless with manners horse! which makes you very lucky to!! Quirky isnt always a good thing.

I think I understand what you mean though, I think Quirky may be another word for lots of character!. If your boys impeccably well behaved .. I would treasure that!!

 

[kirstinbell]

On the other hand your horse may be one of those faultless with manners horse! which makes you very lucky to!! Quirky isnt always a good thing.

I think I understand what you mean though, I think Quirky may be another word for lots of character!. If your boys impeccably well behaved .. I would treasure that!!

I know - what am I like complaining that I have the perfect horse!!

 

[Morganna]

Sam was my first horse, a 16'1 IDxTB who had a terrible attitude when I first bought him. He was already on the yard so didn't need moving but he was bolshy and cheeky. When we jumped he was a law unto himself and would charge around the arena with no steering and would run out at anything higher than 2'3. He taught me all about schooling a horse and gave me such confidence as a rider.

Arion is my new boy, a 16'2 Belgian Warmblood 6 year old who is very well behaved and a pleasure to ride although a bit strong. I am just learning about him so don't really know of any issues yet but I am sure he will throw some at me in true horsey fashion at some point.

 

[chewitmonster]

Silver was a baby (4) - bolshy, planted all the time and wouldn't budge, barging out of his stable on a regular basis, ran off inhand, very spooky and very scared.

Toby (8) was also bolshy and barged out of his stable/ran away in hand regularly. Still quirky and jealous if another horse gets attention and will barge and run off if given an inch but we've only had him since March/April so hes still settling in.

Silver is now pretty much a gent after nearly 3 years. Still gets very scared if being turned out and horses are up his bum (previous yard had a stupid nasty horse who'd attack him whilst caught) but I'm aware of it so have no real problems (winter may be different as yard staff do it for me). You can leave his stable door wide open however and he won't budge, leave him tied up for hours (I don't) and he'll just sleep. His only annoying, won't shift quirk is his door banging!

 

[x x Summer x x]

I always found with new horses that the first week they are exceptionally behaved almost bewildered by thier new environment, then comes the 3 weeks plus where they try it on or get really spooky and problems occur.

Then depending on the horse 6 weeks or more they learn the new routine and settle down.

 

[PatchyPony]

See I'm actually finding this quite hard with Casper as he was kept at an NH yard and has been taugh so well and had such a structured routine that he doesn't have that may quirks because his prior owners have always been very clear and strict on what he is and isn't allowed to do and any issues has already been addressed.

That might seem like a strange thing to complain about but I sometimes feel that this stops his true personality coming though??

I was given lots of tips and instructions from his prior owner on how to continue his routine which I've been doing but that means that I haven't really had to learn anything - they'd already made me aware of it all.

Just feel as though I haven't truely bonded with him even though he makes me feel perfectly safe and always does what I ask.

didnt you have issues initially with the mounting block and standing still? SOunded as though you had to work through that with him. That's another one to add to my list

 

[kirstinbell]

didnt you have issues initially with the mounting block and standing still? SOunded as though you had to work through that with him. That's another one to add to my list

Thats true - we are still working on that problem but things are going well!

I think I'm just used to cheeky, mischievious ponies (like ones who escape from their stables) Thats why it's so strange having a well behaved one!!

 

[PatchyPony]

I think I'm just used to cheeky, mischievious ponies (like ones who escape from their stables) Thats why it's so strange having a well behaved one!!

she just wanted to show the boys her new jimjams! The tart!

 

[carrimclaren]

Lib was my first horse nearly 4 yrs ago. Day before she was due to swap to our yard she changed from a mild mannered beastie into a raving idiot and kept charging off round the school and dumped me into the showjumps in the corner of the school. Got her home and she proceeded to be a witch in her stable knowing that she was big and i was little, put her head as far up as it would go and not let me put a bridle on her (which when it's got a neck like a giraffe is not easy for a 5"6 person), every schooling session we would get snatch and bomb in the school, after a year we started with the snatch grab and buck thing, then progressed onto let's just buck and bronc in the school or on grass. It took me about 6 months to get used to her on the ground and she was then a lovely girlie but it's taken around 2 1/2 yrs to bond with her in ridden work. We just gelling when i realised i was going to have to turn her away for the winter to help her feet.