I just typed such a long post that got deleted! I guess I will try to make this shorter.
I've been searching for a backyard horse for myself and kids for a long time (2 years). Have had a lot of very bad experiences, driving hours to see a horse that bucks me off, for example. Test-rode plenty of horses that were advertised as "kid's" horses, but were too nervous, bucked or kicked right in front of me, at me, or while I was riding. Probably spent over two thousand dollars just in gas. Some of them I wouldn't even let my kids get on. I used craigslist, dreamhorse, trainers, and facebook groups. We just wanted a boring ol' horse we can ride in the pasture, w/t in the neighbor's arena, and maybe take an occasional lesson on. A "dead-head" would have been perfect!
Finally bought a horse that was supposedly a bomb-proof trail/kids horse. He bucked and was spooky. I gave him a lot of chances and ruled out some things, but decided he wasn't safe enough for the kids so I took him back (luckily had a trial period contract).
These experiences have caused me to lose a lot of confidence in myself. At one time I would have considered myself an intermediate rider, but I have to admit, I am pretty timid now. Maybe I am a "new beginner"? Haven't had a horse in over 15 years.
I gave up for a while. Did ride a horse that was great, but very expensive. I think sometimes a "good fit" means not buying a Mercedes when you're only looking for a Datsun.
We recently found what we thought was the perfect horse. And older QH that was being used at a kids camp. He gave lessons and did trails for the past 5 years, including this summer. Their records said he was 21 but looks older. He was very mellow, and did exactly what we asked, even the kids. Not a total "dead-head", but was the perfect amount of boring for us!
They said he trips when his feet gets long or when he's lazy. Also, he wouldn't eat apples or carrots when I brought him home. So I decided to do two things before really riding him: get a trim and a float. So until then I just had the kids leading eachother around bareback and in a halter. Everything was fine.
A few weeks ago I was leading one of my kids around in the front yard while waiting for the bus. I was turned around when the bus came and he bucked her off, I didn't see it. She was fine and got on the bus. I later led another kid around with no problems.
The farrier came last week and trimmed him right in the pasture. He spooked once but it was windy and under a lot of trees, so I figured that was natural.
Then yesterday, I had him in a halter and was going to lead my 8yo on him. He sort of moved sideways, like he was trying to keep the kid from getting on. You know how they step sideways like they think you won't get on if they are too far away? Anyway, it didn't seem unusual. But the second my kid got on, he started bucking. Not a lazy buck, it was a serious hard buck and the kid came off right away.
So now I am afraid to get on him or let my kids on him. I'm not sure where to go from here. There are lesson barns nearby, but I'm not sure if it is worth the cost? We aren't looking to show or anything. Plus, I don't think it's a good idea to have myself or kids take lessons on a horse that's having problems.
Maybe he was sore at that moment? Maybe he is a horse that needs to be ridden consistently in order to behave? Maybe he needs that barn/stable environment instead of pasture? Maybe it's US?
What would make a horse buck of a small child while just standing in a halter? My imagination is telling me that he is evil and wants to kill children. But seriously, I am feeling defeated and second-guessing myself. Is the universe telling me not to own a horse? Maybe I should just get rid of him and sell the trailer/tack, everything? It would eliminate a lot of stress. Last night I couldn't sleep, and this morning my hands started shaking at just the thought of riding him.
But there is the part of me that really enjoys riding and having a horse at home. I grew up with a horse that was my best friend. I miss all of that. I'm conflicted because horse ownership is something that I want again, but it's not working out despite my best efforts.
So today is his float appointment. I am going to try my best to be confident and brave so he doesn't know how weak and frightened I truly am. The "what-if's" keep running through my mind. What if I can't get him in the trailer, what if he hurts himself in there, what if he freaks out at the vet office and I can't get him home, what if we take him to lessons but he still behaves badly at home, what if I keep him and he hurts one of my kids...
If anyone can give me some advice, words of wisdom, or just understanding, I would really appreciate it.
I've been searching for a backyard horse for myself and kids for a long time (2 years). Have had a lot of very bad experiences, driving hours to see a horse that bucks me off, for example. Test-rode plenty of horses that were advertised as "kid's" horses, but were too nervous, bucked or kicked right in front of me, at me, or while I was riding. Probably spent over two thousand dollars just in gas. Some of them I wouldn't even let my kids get on. I used craigslist, dreamhorse, trainers, and facebook groups. We just wanted a boring ol' horse we can ride in the pasture, w/t in the neighbor's arena, and maybe take an occasional lesson on. A "dead-head" would have been perfect!
Finally bought a horse that was supposedly a bomb-proof trail/kids horse. He bucked and was spooky. I gave him a lot of chances and ruled out some things, but decided he wasn't safe enough for the kids so I took him back (luckily had a trial period contract).
These experiences have caused me to lose a lot of confidence in myself. At one time I would have considered myself an intermediate rider, but I have to admit, I am pretty timid now. Maybe I am a "new beginner"? Haven't had a horse in over 15 years.
I gave up for a while. Did ride a horse that was great, but very expensive. I think sometimes a "good fit" means not buying a Mercedes when you're only looking for a Datsun.
We recently found what we thought was the perfect horse. And older QH that was being used at a kids camp. He gave lessons and did trails for the past 5 years, including this summer. Their records said he was 21 but looks older. He was very mellow, and did exactly what we asked, even the kids. Not a total "dead-head", but was the perfect amount of boring for us!
They said he trips when his feet gets long or when he's lazy. Also, he wouldn't eat apples or carrots when I brought him home. So I decided to do two things before really riding him: get a trim and a float. So until then I just had the kids leading eachother around bareback and in a halter. Everything was fine.
A few weeks ago I was leading one of my kids around in the front yard while waiting for the bus. I was turned around when the bus came and he bucked her off, I didn't see it. She was fine and got on the bus. I later led another kid around with no problems.
The farrier came last week and trimmed him right in the pasture. He spooked once but it was windy and under a lot of trees, so I figured that was natural.
Then yesterday, I had him in a halter and was going to lead my 8yo on him. He sort of moved sideways, like he was trying to keep the kid from getting on. You know how they step sideways like they think you won't get on if they are too far away? Anyway, it didn't seem unusual. But the second my kid got on, he started bucking. Not a lazy buck, it was a serious hard buck and the kid came off right away.
So now I am afraid to get on him or let my kids on him. I'm not sure where to go from here. There are lesson barns nearby, but I'm not sure if it is worth the cost? We aren't looking to show or anything. Plus, I don't think it's a good idea to have myself or kids take lessons on a horse that's having problems.
Maybe he was sore at that moment? Maybe he is a horse that needs to be ridden consistently in order to behave? Maybe he needs that barn/stable environment instead of pasture? Maybe it's US?
What would make a horse buck of a small child while just standing in a halter? My imagination is telling me that he is evil and wants to kill children. But seriously, I am feeling defeated and second-guessing myself. Is the universe telling me not to own a horse? Maybe I should just get rid of him and sell the trailer/tack, everything? It would eliminate a lot of stress. Last night I couldn't sleep, and this morning my hands started shaking at just the thought of riding him.
But there is the part of me that really enjoys riding and having a horse at home. I grew up with a horse that was my best friend. I miss all of that. I'm conflicted because horse ownership is something that I want again, but it's not working out despite my best efforts.
So today is his float appointment. I am going to try my best to be confident and brave so he doesn't know how weak and frightened I truly am. The "what-if's" keep running through my mind. What if I can't get him in the trailer, what if he hurts himself in there, what if he freaks out at the vet office and I can't get him home, what if we take him to lessons but he still behaves badly at home, what if I keep him and he hurts one of my kids...
If anyone can give me some advice, words of wisdom, or just understanding, I would really appreciate it.