Green broke gelding - way out of control

SheriK · 08-27-2007, 12:20 PM

Okay everybody, need your advise again. The 4 year old gelding we got last month doesn't seem to be as broke as we were told when we first bought him. He has a very good personality but NO ground manners. When I first looked at this horse, he rode without problems. Thinking back now, he was in the pasture with his buddies on his home turf. When I try and ride him, saddling him up is a piece of cake, getting him away from the barn and/or his new buddies is the problem. Yesterday morning, we took our yearling filly out and did some ground work with her. When done, we put her in the big pasture with our weanling. I got the gelding out to do some basic ground work, changing eyes, leading, lunging, backing - basics only. At first, he was fine and then he lost site of the girls in the big pasture. When I tried to lunge him, he threw his leg out to get me. When that didn't work for him, he reared up pulling me off the ground and giving me some nice rope burns. He just went balistic and I could not gain control. He actually started to charge me and ran me into the barn. I was shaking so bad that I did something really stupid and took his halter off and sent him out into the pasture. All day yesterday I questioned myself on what I had done wrong and where to go from here. The guy we bought him for said that if for any reason we wanted to send him back, we could in the next 30 days. Well, I'm seriously thinking about it. We bought this guy for our teenage girls to ride. I have trouble getting him to do what I want. There is no way I would put either of our kids on him at this point. If you were in my shoes, what would you do????

TXquarterhorsegal · 08-27-2007, 12:24 PM

Easy question. Send him back. There are so many good ones out there, it's not worth risking an injury. I had to sell the first 2 I bought before finding my gentle, wonderful forever horse.

texas sassy · 08-27-2007, 12:29 PM

Four years old can be a tricky age to work with, --for some horses. It SEEMS they are "broke" at 3 and then they just go down hill. Actually, I think they are like 14-16 yr old boys at this age. They get their strength, power, and balance and just want to test the limits. This horse you have is definately NOT broke, and I wouldn't want my kids around him--it seems he hasn't decided who is the boss yet. If you don't want an ongoing project, w/ what seems a strong willed animal, take him back and get something older. If you decide to work w/ him again, you better be very very careful.

championhorse · 08-27-2007, 12:32 PM

send him back.

TanyaV28 · 08-27-2007, 12:33 PM

Take Him Back Immediatley!!!

Equine Kneads · 08-27-2007, 12:35 PM

Just a suggestion........ I recommend having someone come in and help you. If you can find someone who works w/natural horsemanship training techniques..It will help you build your confidence with him again and establish you as the 'herd leader' which will give your horse more confidence to be away f/the herd and be you with the 'herd leader' also he will gain more respect for you!! ...safety is #1

There are ground exercises that you can do to start out and then build f/there...Since he's trained to ride your ground work into the saddle would be quicker but I think it would help!

Lady_MCSE · 08-27-2007, 12:41 PM

I don't disagree that some natural horsemanship stuff could help, adn that with some assistance and time you could have a pretty great horse on your hands. With that said, if you want a riding horse for your girls now, send him back.

(This is speaking as someone who has had her first horse for nearly two years without having had much of a riding relationship. That's too long of a story here, it's just that I've been down that path once, and figure if you've got the opportunity to send him back, do it.)

Mule Fool · 08-27-2007, 12:46 PM

While I agree that some of this may be "teen age boy" stuff and maybe fixable, you wanted a broke horse for your kids to ride, not a project. I would take him back if he were mine and also maybe look for an older horse. 4 can be a trying time.

gingerfleguel · 08-27-2007, 01:35 PM

yep id be taken him back in a hurry....safety first and if you cant handle him are your kids going to be able to?

SheriK · 08-27-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks everybody. I just feel like a quitter or a failure because I can't get a handle on this big guy. With a yearling and a weanling, the last thing I need is another project! I really thought I was getting somebody that the girls could go throw a saddle on and go. I'm very upset by how this has turned out but I did call the previous owner (talk about call reluctance) and he is going to come down tonight. My gut tells me this is the right thing to do. I have had a trainer work with the gelding a few times in the month I've had him and he told me too that this horse is very green and would make a good someday.

JoAnne · 08-27-2007, 02:05 PM

sounds like he would need a year of work before you could put your kids on. why buy a green four year old for kids? i don't get it.

**gbarmranch** · 08-27-2007, 02:18 PM

Nope, send him back - he needs a lot more work... and any horse that makes you feel unsafe is not the horse to have around!

deej · 08-27-2007, 02:30 PM

he is dangerous. don't risk your kid's safety.

ShawneeAcres · 08-27-2007, 02:34 PM

<Snip>

gingerfleguel · 08-27-2007, 02:42 PM

<snip>

gingerfleguel · 08-27-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheriK

Thanks everybody. I just feel like a quitter or a failure because I can't get a handle on this big guy. With a yearling and a weanling, the last thing I need is another project! I really thought I was getting somebody that the girls could go throw a saddle on and go. I'm very upset by how this has turned out but I did call the previous owner (talk about call reluctance) and he is going to come down tonight. My gut tells me this is the right thing to do. I have had a trainer work with the gelding a few times in the month I've had him and he told me too that this horse is very green and would make a good someday.

I wouldnt feel like a quitter if I were you...we all Live and Learn Right...follow your gut ...if a trainer has told you he is very green then kids wont be riding him for quite some time....just depends how much time and money you would like to invest....but there are alot of nice well broke horses on the market right now

Good luck in your decision and keep us posted

Pasodeb · 08-27-2007, 02:56 PM

I agree let him go back. Get an older horse that is already better trained and more settled. Even if you have to spend more, it will be a lot cheaper than a trip to the hospital.

Faceman · 08-27-2007, 06:08 PM

If you wanted one to put your girls on right away, he probably wasn't the best choice as a greenbroke 4 year old - but hey, you never know with these guys and he seemed very tractable when you tried him out.

I would say you probaably have 2 choices. If you really like him and want to take 3 or 4 months to let him settle in, build some trust, and gt his head straight, he may be OK. But if you don't want to invest the time, I would agree that returning him would be the best choice. As a seller, I would certainly be understanding and would take no offense. Sometimes things just don't work out.

Personally, I don't have any tolerance for rearing - that bothers me as it is a very dangerous behavior. That alone would send him packing from my place, but that's just me. Your girls' safety comes first...

SunnyKS · 08-27-2007, 06:16 PM

Yep! I agree send him back. That is what a 30 trial is for.

Slim Pikkens · 08-27-2007, 06:19 PM

You brought a young horse into a new situation. It often takes at least six weeks for a horse to settle in. Initially he may be on his best behaviour as he doesn't know what's going on, then you may begin to see a change. He has bonded with the youngsters and is fearful of being away from them. It's apparent you aren't equiped to deal with this and your options are to either return him or hire a trainer, one who will teach you as well as the horse.

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08-27-2007, 12:20 PM
SheriK Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 860	Green broke gelding - way out of control Okay everybody, need your advise again. The 4 year old gelding we got last month doesn't seem to be as broke as we were told when we first bought him. He has a very good personality but NO ground manners. When I first looked at this horse, he rode without problems. Thinking back now, he was in the pasture with his buddies on his home turf. When I try and ride him, saddling him up is a piece of cake, getting him away from the barn and/or his new buddies is the problem. Yesterday morning, we took our yearling filly out and did some ground work with her. When done, we put her in the big pasture with our weanling. I got the gelding out to do some basic ground work, changing eyes, leading, lunging, backing - basics only. At first, he was fine and then he lost site of the girls in the big pasture. When I tried to lunge him, he threw his leg out to get me. When that didn't work for him, he reared up pulling me off the ground and giving me some nice rope burns. He just went balistic and I could not gain control. He actually started to charge me and ran me into the barn. I was shaking so bad that I did something really stupid and took his halter off and sent him out into the pasture. All day yesterday I questioned myself on what I had done wrong and where to go from here. The guy we bought him for said that if for any reason we wanted to send him back, we could in the next 30 days. Well, I'm seriously thinking about it. We bought this guy for our teenage girls to ride. I have trouble getting him to do what I want. There is no way I would put either of our kids on him at this point. If you were in my shoes, what would you do????

08-27-2007, 12:24 PM
TXquarterhorsegal Newborn Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 43	Easy question. Send him back. There are so many good ones out there, it's not worth risking an injury. I had to sell the first 2 I bought before finding my gentle, wonderful forever horse.

08-27-2007, 12:29 PM
texas sassy Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 684	Four years old can be a tricky age to work with, --for some horses. It SEEMS they are "broke" at 3 and then they just go down hill. Actually, I think they are like 14-16 yr old boys at this age. They get their strength, power, and balance and just want to test the limits. This horse you have is definately NOT broke, and I wouldn't want my kids around him--it seems he hasn't decided who is the boss yet. If you don't want an ongoing project, w/ what seems a strong willed animal, take him back and get something older. If you decide to work w/ him again, you better be very very careful.

08-27-2007, 12:32 PM
championhorse Long Yearling Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,385	send him back. __________________ Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.

08-27-2007, 12:33 PM
TanyaV28 Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,118	Take Him Back Immediatley!!!

08-27-2007, 12:35 PM
Equine Kneads Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 224	Just a suggestion........ I recommend having someone come in and help you. If you can find someone who works w/natural horsemanship training techniques..It will help you build your confidence with him again and establish you as the 'herd leader' which will give your horse more confidence to be away f/the herd and be you with the 'herd leader' also he will gain more respect for you!! ...safety is #1 There are ground exercises that you can do to start out and then build f/there...Since he's trained to ride your ground work into the saddle would be quicker but I think it would help! __________________ "The mind is like a parachute, it works best when open"- author unk www.EquineKneadsLLC.com

08-27-2007, 12:41 PM
Lady_MCSE Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 3,642	I don't disagree that some natural horsemanship stuff could help, adn that with some assistance and time you could have a pretty great horse on your hands. With that said, if you want a riding horse for your girls now, send him back. (This is speaking as someone who has had her first horse for nearly two years without having had much of a riding relationship. That's too long of a story here, it's just that I've been down that path once, and figure if you've got the opportunity to send him back, do it.) __________________ A little self-deprecating humor from time to time can be healthy. Just be cautious -- make sure it doesn't turn to self-defecating humor. --LadyM

08-27-2007, 12:46 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	While I agree that some of this may be "teen age boy" stuff and maybe fixable, you wanted a broke horse for your kids to ride, not a project. I would take him back if he were mine and also maybe look for an older horse. 4 can be a trying time.

08-27-2007, 01:35 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,494	yep id be taken him back in a hurry....safety first and if you cant handle him are your kids going to be able to?

08-27-2007, 02:05 PM
SheriK Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 860	Thanks everybody. I just feel like a quitter or a failure because I can't get a handle on this big guy. With a yearling and a weanling, the last thing I need is another project! I really thought I was getting somebody that the girls could go throw a saddle on and go. I'm very upset by how this has turned out but I did call the previous owner (talk about call reluctance) and he is going to come down tonight. My gut tells me this is the right thing to do. I have had a trainer work with the gelding a few times in the month I've had him and he told me too that this horse is very green and would make a good someday.

08-27-2007, 02:34 PM
ShawneeAcres Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 176	<Snip> __________________ Horses for Sale Shawnee Acres Last edited by Orchid : 08-27-2007 at 02:43 PM.

08-27-2007, 02:05 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	sounds like he would need a year of work before you could put your kids on. why buy a green four year old for kids? i don't get it.

08-27-2007, 02:18 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	Nope, send him back - he needs a lot more work... and any horse that makes you feel unsafe is not the horse to have around! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

08-27-2007, 02:30 PM
deej Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NC Posts: 327	he is dangerous. don't risk your kid's safety.

08-27-2007, 02:42 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,494	<snip> Last edited by Orchid : 08-27-2007 at 02:48 PM.

08-27-2007, 02:56 PM
Pasodeb Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Watertown, TN Posts: 828	I agree let him go back. Get an older horse that is already better trained and more settled. Even if you have to spend more, it will be a lot cheaper than a trip to the hospital.

08-27-2007, 06:08 PM
Faceman Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Arkansas Ozarks Posts: 7,259	If you wanted one to put your girls on right away, he probably wasn't the best choice as a greenbroke 4 year old - but hey, you never know with these guys and he seemed very tractable when you tried him out. I would say you probaably have 2 choices. If you really like him and want to take 3 or 4 months to let him settle in, build some trust, and gt his head straight, he may be OK. But if you don't want to invest the time, I would agree that returning him would be the best choice. As a seller, I would certainly be understanding and would take no offense. Sometimes things just don't work out. Personally, I don't have any tolerance for rearing - that bothers me as it is a very dangerous behavior. That alone would send him packing from my place, but that's just me. Your girls' safety comes first... __________________ Read what I said, not what you THINK I said...

08-27-2007, 06:16 PM
SunnyKS Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,517	Yep! I agree send him back. That is what a 30 trial is for. __________________

08-27-2007, 06:19 PM
Slim Pikkens Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,003	You brought a young horse into a new situation. It often takes at least six weeks for a horse to settle in. Initially he may be on his best behaviour as he doesn't know what's going on, then you may begin to see a change. He has bonded with the youngsters and is fearful of being away from them. It's apparent you aren't equiped to deal with this and your options are to either return him or hire a trainer, one who will teach you as well as the horse.