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new to horse ownership very discouraged

6K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  Gizmo 
#1 ·
hi i am a 51 yr old lady new to horses. i have a 22 yr old appy gelding. was told he was very gentle could ride the grandkids. we have had him about a month. i put him on equine senior when we got him. he has fescue hay. last week he started getting very excited over his grain. this week he has started bucking when i come in with the food. and he bucks when something spooks him. also when i try to lead him he just stops and will not move. how do i need to handle him. i am very discourage
 
#2 ·
Do you know anyone who is more experienced with horses who can help you out in terms of basic handling and ground manners? It just sounds like this horse is testing his new boundaries. If he finds there aren't any, he'll be happy to take over. Hopefully it's nothing a some basic limit setting won't fix.
 
#4 ·
You should get a trainer to come out and give you lessons on how to gain respect. It shouldn't take much as I'm sure he is a good horse, but you need for him to respect you.
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#5 ·
okay well for the leading thing do a little like shake on the lead rope and if he stops then just yank on it my mare does that
 
#6 ·
Laddy, don't get too down. Like what has been posted already, you did great selecting an older horse. He sounds like he's testing the waters and should be a simple fix. If you have an experienced friend to help you that would be great, if not find a trainer to come work with you. It shouldn't take much or long.

He needs a refresher that you are the leader, and to mind his manners around you.
 
#8 ·
I would suggest you seek out a professional in your area to give you both some lessons and a tune-up. A person being right there can see exactly what's going on (i.e. is it truly a buck, where a horse leaps and both back feet come up, versus a kick, and what is causing it) and how to fix it. You will get instant feedback, and the pro will be able to direct you exactly on how to handle your situation.
Don't get discouraged, we all have these moments.
 
#9 ·
Another vote to find a trainer to help you.

Even a good solid citizen can have their moments where they realize they can get the upper hand and they enjoy the feeling of being in charge a little too much.

Curious, what was your guy eating before? Has his turn out situation changed?
 
#10 ·
discouraged

thanks for all of your encouragement. Laddy was on nutra compete ,peanut hay and corn. i changed him to purnia senior he gets about 7 lbs a day. all the fescue hay he can eat. He was with other horses now he only has goat pals. I am going to look at the videos and try to locate some one to help. thanks again
 
#13 ·
I agree that is a lot. Even for an older horse. Was he loosing weight on the other grain or was it more expensive? What was the reason for switching it over? And you did switch him over to the other foods slowly right? There could be one of two problems if you didn't some times they can get stomach ulcers. Or they can founder when you are giving them too much. Which I don't think the second is the case.
 
#12 ·
I understand your frustration and being discouraged with your first horse. I have helped two families find their first horse and loaned them a lot of reading material i.e.- books that I have, magazines I have with horse handling articles and more. Then after we found their horses I worked with them and their new family member until they were confident enough to be on their own with the horse. Look around for someone who has horse experience who would be willing to be of help to you. As a general rule experienced horsepeople are more than willing to help a new horse owner.

It sounds like your horse maybe testing you, because he senses your maybe being nervous when your with him. Horses do pick up on our emotions. Another thing that could be going on with him is that he is fresh and full of pent up energy. My QH mare who I've owned for 15 years at now 23 years old and retired will still frolic and romp gleefully, bucking, galloping at will. Then on the other hand, which I do hope is not the case, your horse may have had the upper hand with previous owners and learned bad manners.

Are you feeding the 7lbs of grain in one daily feeding? If so it would be far better for the horse if you broke down his feedings to twice daily. Giving hay free choice is okay.
 
#14 ·
thanks for all of the input. i switch him for nutra compete to purnia senior because i thought it would be better for his age. he gets it in 2 feeding could it be making him hyper? he gets really aggressive when i go to feed him he shakes his head talks run in and out of the stall. this morning i tried going back out but he stood and the door waiting he finally went outside so i could put the feed up.
 
#17 ·
I agree Gizmo does this sometimes in the morning. He gets super impatient and he will shake because he is so excited to get his food. This is in part of two reason I believe. One is that he was abused by the owner before his last one and he was barely fed. Another one is the home I bought him from the horses were really aggressive towards him and wouldn't let him eat, why she sold him to me, so I think he is actually excited that he gets a real full meal.
The senior could be giving him a bit more energy but I think he is just hyper when getting his food. It is also winter time and they are generally hyper this time of year too. Gizmo will come out bucking some morning because he is really excited and its a super chilly day. They love the cold weather.
 
#16 ·
I would definitely switch the feed. Just because it says "Senior" does not make it the best food for your horse!

I also feed tall fescue hay and I find it is great for my competition horse because of the high energy content without too much sugary alfalfa. Maybe try to mix in some orchard grass hay with this hay.
For the supplementing, try to see if he can sustain himself on mostly hay. Get a knowledgable horse person to help you rank him on the body score scale (Henneke Body Scoring - Habitat for Horses - Equine Protection Organization - Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Horse Education and Adoptions).
If he is already a good weight (5 or 6) then gradually switch him over to beet pulp and rice bran and give him access to loose minerals or a mineral block.
I suspect he is most likely over weight, in this case as you are switching over his feed, reduce the volume until his weight stabilizes.
Hopefully the changes in the feed and keeping him from becoming overweight will help some of the behavior issues.
And in addition I also suggest finding someone to help you out with him.

Good luck!
 
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