Do I keep her or do I move on? Advice please...

I recently (about 3 months ago) got my first horse. She's a 5 YO TB mare who had never been raced and was completely trained with groundwork and under saddle.

She was great for the first while, for about a month or so. I now credit this to her being so underweight. I don't think she was getting her food at the rescue she was at and she was not in good shape. Now, she's healthy and feeling like herself, and I don't know what to do because I don't know if herself is right for me or not...

I love my horse...but...

After about a month of being with me she is a totally different horse. She is antsy, overly-energetic, and unpredictable. She is so sweet sometimes...but when she isn't being sweet, she's REALLY bad.

I haven't ridden her in a month or more because of how afraid I am. The last times I rode her, she reared, bucked, and even fell over on herself in the barn while I was not on her, thank goodness.

She prances back and forth in the barn and paces in circles. I cannot have her in the barn with other horses because I fear for their safety. She is so high-energy and I am scared. She has reared and bucked in the barn on multiple occasions.

I just don't trust her...the only time I ever let my guard down around her she bit me twice and slammed me with her head. I had a bruise for a month.

She is not a bad horse. She's so smart, and so sweet, and so wonderful...she just has such a high energy about her that I don't know if I can handle.

I feel as though even if I do fix these issues I don't think I can be the leader she needs...I am nowhere near an expert and truly don't think I can step up and be that person that will be her leader and use her high energy level for something positive...I am too timid.

I don't think I have what she needs to reach her potential. I don't think it is going to be beneficial for either of us...except for the fact that I love her so much. I just don't know what to do. There is so much I'm considering...my show dreams, my own feelings of security with a horse...but then there is my love for her.

Do I stick with her or do I move on to an older, more been there done that horse that I can feel safe around? Or do I go off of how much I love her and try to make this work?

I'm just so discouraged...Please give advice...thank you so much in advance for your input! It is greatly appreciated...

Sell her... plain and simple. You will not be doing her any favors by keeping her and letting her be like this. Sell her to someone with some experience with horses like this. Get something calm and enjoy your horses.

TBs were bred to move and are forward thinkers. She needs plenty of turnout and not cooped up in a stall. Her diet can have a lot to do with her behaviour. Before you decide the next course of action, graduate her off all supplemental feeds until she is getting hay only. Have her turned out first thing in the morning if possible and allow her to be out all day, even having her hay out there. You can't feed a TB a rich diet and not give exercise daily, either turnout or riding.

I promise you, you will be happier selling her. While you may love her, it sounds like she needs someone else who may be more experienced. I was in the same boat years back. I got my first paint horse and I loved him....Until things got worse and worse. Though I have always loved horses he was my first horse. I didn't know how to correct his behavior when I first got him. It went from little things like turning his butt to me to bucking. I ended up being kicked in the back from that horse and that was when I new it was over. He no longer looked at as a leader. I sold him and I found an absolutely wonderful horse. What im saying is it will only get worse especially if you are now scared of her now. There are a million different horses out there, that could be for you. I think she may work best with someone else and you find yourself a horse that makes it enjoyable for you.

Rearing and bucking are serious problems and unless she gets help now they will only worsen.. I wish you the best and sometimes you need to hear it from other people. Just re-read your post and I think you may have your answer. Let us know what you decide.

^^THAT!!!!
She gained weight, obviously rather quickly.....that means she gets. Sweetfeed. And most likely too much.
Off the sweetfeed, good hay only and out.
She will calm down in a couple of weeks. If you like her enough to give it a try, look into groundwork. Tons of videos on youtube, books and DVD's on the market. Study and learn while she gets rid of all excess. Then start working her. It'll be very different, I assure you

ETA: I meant "saddlebag's " post with " that", just to make it clear

She lives on a 10 acre pasture and does not get supplements or stall time and she is fed about 3-4lbs of Purina Strategy daily to put some weight back on her and get her health back up--which it seems to have done!

I agree that the best course of action for you will likely be to find a horse with a much more laid back temperament. The best you can do is find her the most awesome home possible, and try to make sure that the new owners will let you know if they ever have to sell her or get rid of her -- so you can make sure that she stays in good hands.

Owning a horse is a huge investment of money and time -- if you aren't enjoying the horse you're with at LEAST 80% of the time, then it's just an unfortunate waste.

If you do sell her and get another horse, I would advise trying out a lease or something first to make sure you'll be a good match.

I have been doing groundwork with her, and it seems to have helped-but my main issue is that even if I fix these issues, will I ever trust her? Will I be able to be her leader and channel that energy? Am I experienced enough for such a spirited horse? I suppose I am answering my own questions here, haha. I really appreciate all of the help. All the advice means a lot!

The issue is that she is an adopted rescue, so I have to return her to the rescue within the first year. I unfortunately won't be the one to decide a home If I knew I could find a good home--there would be no question on what to do...

Then it's time to return her to the rescue, and start looking for a horse who is already trained and has the temperament you're looking for.

If you're overhorsed it's no fun for either of you, and I'm betting the mare is as miserable as you.

I have the world's laziest TB so not all of them are forward and antsy, but I took him right off the track and put him in training with a professional before I brought him home. Had I tried to retrain him myself, I know there would have been issues.