[4horsem0m]

We have been leasing our trainer's horse now since October. We've had our ups and downs, now they are mostly downs. My youngest gets off completely frustrated and crying. She gets on, asks him to walk~~ bump left leg, bump right leg, roll the hips and slightly lift the butt out of the saddle~~ like we've been trained to do. He just backs up, no rein pressure whatsoever, runs her knee into the gate/panels of the arena. We've tried spurs, but he is so dead sided (trainer says he requires lots of leg and when I rode him I thought my hip sockets were going to dislocate!) I'm angry and totally frustrated, this is the horse my daughter has signed up for fair, he'd won barrel saddles, etc. and my daughter's heart was set on being able to game for the first time for 4-H. He's been such a butt that she had to ride my middle daughter's Arab, she placed in 4 of the events, including two 1st places! Would have placed in the 5th, but there was a bobble and she dropped the flag.

I got on him the other night and I couldn't get him to move, I was so torqued off. My oldest got on him today and I asked her to have our trainer help her and they spent a half an hour to an hour walking around the arena talking. Trainers saying that it's going to take her 4 months to get him back where he was before we leased him, etc. She's blaming my 12 year old for his behavior, when we've been under her instruction several times a week since October!!

He was doing this before and the trainer/owner would get on him and kick, kick, kick with spurs and whip, whip, whip with the over and under, all the while he would lash out and buck everytime he got whipped. She got tossed all over the saddle and eventually he would walk off. Now that fair is less than two weeks away, the trainer can't get on him or it disqualifies her for fair.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Coaco]

hummm if it takes that much to get him to move forward some thing is wrong, do you have any pitures of this horse? with out the saddle and with the saddle on him

are you useing the same saddle? any changes in his feet? although it sounds like this is a long standing problem. I had a gelding a long time ago that was wounderful but I had saddles that DID not fit him caused him all sorts of problems and he got so he would just buck you off. we got saddles that fit the problem whent away oooh and a different farrior as well

[Feliche]

I'd say talk to the vet first, and then maybe see if you can figure out why it's scared to go forward. Maybe a lot of groundwork would help. Just leading him around, letting him know that it's okay to move foward with the guidance of your daughter. Over poles, around the arena...lunge him in a roundpen, etc. Just think forward-forward-forward, and reward the forwardness.

If he leads well...maybe lead him as your daughter rides, simply to show that it's okay?

Just throwing out ideas. If it isn't pain, it's some kind of fear causing this reluctance. Make him want to move by his own volition, and maybe it'll help Best of luck.

[Chester]

First get crop and use it on trainers butt.

Second get crop and apply rather cautiosly to horses butt.

I think trainer has not taught child how to ride horse and to correct it immediately.

To be honest I am not sure what you can do about it. Leasing is all whooha to me.

[Beeks]

Sounds like it might be time to lease a different horse. Even at this late stage in the game it couldn't be any worse. This horse has issues that are going to sour your 12 year olds orse experience. She should be excited and having a ball instead of crying and feeling scared and frustrated.

Is it possible to send him back from whence he came and get another horse lined up. One with a better attitude.

[4horsem0m]

Originally Posted by Coaco

hummm if it takes that much to get him to move forward some thing is wrong, do you have any pitures of this horse? with out the saddle and with the saddle on him

are you useing the same saddle? any changes in his feet? although it sounds like this is a long standing problem. I had a gelding a long time ago that was wounderful but I had saddles that DID not fit him caused him all sorts of problems and he got so he would just buck you off. we got saddles that fit the problem whent away oooh and a different farrior as well

Same saddle the whole time, I made sure if fit really good. No dry spots on him after a good workout.

I am a barefoot trimmer so his feet have improved greatly since I've had him. He can canter down the gravel driveway totally sound.

We found out after we signed the lease that he'd been sitting for two years, because of divorce, etc.

I've checked him over for soreness in his back, hips, etc. I am positive he is just being a jerk wad! It is so hard for me to see my daughter quit and get off in tears day after day.

[TitansFable]

Is he good to lunge? If he moves forward on the lungeline you could always try tacking him up, then lunging for a while, getting him to move forward. When he's moving out well on the lunge line have your daughter get on and try a lunge lesson.

Not sure if this will help him or not, but it's worth a try.

[Coaco]

well with a vets note she could ride a different horse (lameness substution).

Lack of dry spots is not always a good indicator of saddle fit. have you put your hand under the front of the saddle when there is whight in it? had him turn his head towards you and a way on both sides? can you try an old macs saddle pad to see if that would help? some horses are bothered by very little (alot less than others) with both feet and saddle fit. if the saddle Is pinching his withers it will feel to him that she is asking him to back.

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by Chester

First get crop and use it on trainers butt.

Second get crop and apply rather cautiosly to horses butt.

I think trainer has not taught child how to ride horse and to correct it immediately.

To be honest I am not sure what you can do about it. Leasing is all whooha to me.

YES!
Yes!
Yup, my thoughts, too.
And yes, may not be the right horse for your situation...

[Beeks]

Sorry, but I am not familiar with the type of showing you are looking at, that will not allow a change of horse close to a show. Actually, I am not all that familiar with any types of showing.

So finding her another horse to ride this close is completely out of the question?? What a shame. I think the gelding is just taking advantage and as you said, just not feeling the bonhamie you had hoped. It also appears he has been misrepresented by the trainer/leassor which I can't imagine make your relationship with him/her very cordial.

Is your daughter dead set on this upcoming show??? Can you get out of it???? Can you get out of the lease and move on to a more companionable horse for her???

I feel the worst for your daughter. It is horses like this one, and trainers like yours that can spoil a young girls love of all things equine.