[bnayc]

Hey guys once again I need some more experienced advice.
Last month I started to lease my first horse. We did a two week trial before we made the contract, then I signed a five month agreement. I board him on my property and take care of him myself. Vini, my horse, is a sweet guy when hes around the pasture, but whenever I get on him he tests me. Usually he will stop without me asking, walk circles, and throw his head. I was told that Vini was 12 years old, was well broke, and could handle a green rider such as myself.
Well today he decided to test me again by stopping and not moving even when I cued him to. I pushed on him with my legs and he would take a couple steps then stop. About the third time I went to push, he reared four or five times. Somehow I managed to stay on until he bucked his back legs and I went flying. He was a full on rodeo horse today. I wasnt hurt when I fell(except for my pride) but it still stunned me.
I know the expression is to get back on the horse, but in this situation is that a smart thing to do? While I have ridden horses for years, they have always been well schooled. I have had a few formal lessons but thats it. Im just not sure what to do. Should I take more lessons to become a better rider and hope to conquer this guy? Maybe have a trainer come out and work with him? I am lost here.

 

[MHFoundation Quarters]

I would suggest finding a trainer to work with the horse first and then both of you together. It sounds like he's testing the waters to see just how much he can get away with and bulled up to get out of working. Someone with experience with one who gets "stuck" can quickly un-stick him and then help both of you move forward together.

 

[kait18]

i would try to get a trainer to work with both of you... you need to learn this horse just like this horse needs to learn you... best way to conquer that is to get a trainer to help you... they see more then we can

 

[mudpie]

Get a trainer for sure

 

[OkieGal]

And also have pain ruled out. Check teeth, saddle fit, everything.
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[capercowgirl]

Is the owner aware of the horse's behavior? Did you know when you agreed to the lease that he did this? I don't think that it should be you responsibility to send someone else's horse to a trainer. Unless they are footing the bill! You shouldn't have to pay someone to train a horse that isn't even yours.

If it keeps happening maybe you should look into leasing another horse because your only putting yourself in danger. I leased a horse that would buck me every time I tried to lope. I was so happy when I stopped my lease and bought my own horse who didn't have any of those problems.

Remember riding should be enjoyable for you and the horse!

 

[bnayc]

thanks guys for the advice. I normally wouldnt be hesitant about bringing a trainer out if it was my horse, but he is just a lease. And i would be the one to pay the trainer. When I got him I didnt know of his bad habits. I had seen him ridden multiple times and even rode him myself a few times before i got him. I had the girl who I am leasing him from come look at my saddle, bit, and everything else. Everything I have is very similar to hers and she didnt see any problems with the tack. This makes me think that im not experienced enough as a rider. I must have done something wrong to make him act this way, right?

 

[OkieGal]

I don't see that you did anything wrong. Your lessor should be paying for the trainer as you didn't know of the problems.
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[natisha]

He may have just caught you off guard. I would have the owner come & ride him where you were trying to go & then watch you try it. Were you trying to ride away from the barn or his buddies?

 

[bnayc]

Right now his buddy is a nubian goat and she is always at his side when I ride, this he doesnt mind. I think he actually feels better knowing shes right there with him. I was only on him for a couple minutes before he bucked. Everytime I ride we do a slow walk around the pasture then build up from there. We were in the middle of no where, a good 100 yards away from the barn and fences. I am having the owner come out next week to see whats going on. She said this was uncharicteristic of him.

 

[capercowgirl]

Maybe you might of done something that the owner doesn't normally do. It could be something simple as not releasing the reins(head shy) or kicking/squeezing too hard or you might be doing everything correctly! Its really hard to tell because everyone trains differently.

How is his ground manners? You should also work on that because if a horse doesn't respect you on the ground they sure aren't going to respect you on their back.

Taking lessons is always a good idea because there is always something new to learn when it comes to horses, you never stop learning

 

[bnayc]

Hes got good ground manners. Sometimes he can be stubborn at first, but then he does great.

 

[Ace80908]

He's testing you.... and you will either need a trainer or a few lessons with this original owner to see what is happening. Many horses that ride out perfectly for experienced riders wont move for beginners... the bucking and rearing is a natural progression for a horse testing an inexperienced rider...

the question is whether you want to invest your time and money into a horse that has these tools in his toolbox. Once they figure out that they can get away with bucking and rearing, its hard to get rid of those behaviors.

 

[flytobecat]

I would see if you could get an instructor to come out and watch you ride the horse, as well as have the owner ride him out with you tagging along. A beginner's horse shouldn't generally rear or buck, but if you were tense and pulling on his mouth a lot then that could cause a horse to rear.
Either way it sounds like the horse isn't really for you.

 

[franknbeans]

have to say, that investing in a trainer who will work with both of you not only benefits the horse, but your knowledge of how to deal with them. Maybe the owner would split the cost with you. You stand to gain much more than the horse does in confidence and knowledge for the future. Most horses will test you somehow. Knowledge is never a bad thing. JMHO.