Hello, long time reader but first time poster.
I’m looking for some outside perspectives on a situation I’m in with my new horse. I’m a mid- thirties re-rider that started riding again last summer after a 14-year break. I’m an intermediate rider, comfortable at wtc and over low fences, and can handle some shenanigans (I know it’s a low bar but wanted to give some background).
I purchased a 14 yo QH gelding 2 months ago, after searching for several months for a horse to do flatwork and low fences, nothing fancy. He came to my barn as a consignment horse, and he seemed decent at the wtc, especially in a new location and having been a pasture puff for the last couple months. My trainer and I were only able to ride him once due to high interest before I purchased him.
I started having issues fairly quickly, despite putting him into partial training. It turns out he’s got a past history of being “bouncy” at the canter, and I got tossed off the first week (did get back on and canter the same lesson). As the weeks have progressed, the behavior has worsened and now occurs at all gaits with me. He not’s broncing, but it’s bucking with some mini-rearing. My trainer has been able to get on and ride him with minimal misbehaving, but he puts up a much bigger fight with me that seems to be worsening each ride. My trainer is fairly stumped because I’m doing all the things she’s recommending / does when he starts acting up but with much different results. I’m to the point where going to the barn causes significant anxiety and I don’t feel safe getting on him as he feels like a powder keg. These shenanigans are beyond me.
I have a vet coming out, but it seems like if it was a pain issue, it would be consistent across riders (Of note, he did well on his PPE). We’ve tried different tack, but no improvement. I guess he’s “got my number”, but these worsening responses seem specific to me.
I just don’t know where to go from here? I tried to do everything right with this purchase, but it’s turning into a nightmare. Does anybody have any insight or experience with a similar situation?