Hi, I am new to the forums,and have some confidence issues with my new horse I just bought in Sept.Does anyone have any advice?I am not allowed to take riding lessons,or have a trainer come help.I’ll describe what I feel in just a second…here’s some background of me,my other horse,and also of my new horse:
I am a teenager,and got a QH (Cowgirl) about 2 yrs ago,she was green-broke,had more than her share of attitude and problems!:)We had a friend horse trainer help us out!now,I am more experienced with trouble-makers and attitude horses.
And about the new horse,she’s been professionally trained,and is very well broke,so why am I feeling unconfident???I have only ridden her two times since she came,she wouldnt let me get up the third time and another time after that,she had some swelling on her shoulder and it wasnt clearing up,so called a vet and here she had fistulous withers!so no wonder she wouldnt let me get up.
so now,its been about 2mths.,and she is still in recovery,she only has one area that she is touchy about when you probe it.How will I know when she is ready to ride?
I dont want to hurt her,or have her associate me getting up with pain.Will she remember the pain? and now about my confidence issue:/
All my friends horses are easy-going,and yet I feel uncomfortable on any horse that isnt mine. I feel uncomfortable and not-so-confident on any one else’s horses…Does anyone have any advice to help me with that? Am I the only one feeling like this?!Please help.
I’d love any advice,please just help. And also,what all groundwork exercises do you do with your horses to strengthen your bond?I’d love to hear what you all do,I’ve run out of ideas,and cant seem to get anywhere OK have a good day, can’t wait to hear what you all have to say;Like i said,I am looking for help on building confidence, and that is the main question I am wanting to have answered!
note:answered,not “screamed on” if you have any helpful advice,please present it in a kind way,otherwise,if you came on here to rant,please refrain 
~My horses are my life,I’d rather hurt myself than them ~
You will know she is ready to ride when a vet says she is. If she still has a touchy spot then she is not healed enough. Get your vet back out to look at her.
Also, why are you not allowed to have lessons or a trainer? Yes, I would consider you green at training “trouble-makers” if you only had ridden for 2 years at a friends house…
Dont think we can afford to have him back out,but I’ll certainly try.
Well,there is only about 1 place to have those lessons,its 20 min away,and my parents do not have the time to run me up once or twice a week,and the lessons are expensive 
nooo I rode at a friend’s house,dont know how many times a week,for a minimum of two years,THEN I got a horse,and in turn,had her for two more years,while still riding at my friends house 
I’ve had her for two years,and trained her alot,and I’m surprised at how good she’s turned out is that still what you would call green?!
As you are discovering, fistulous withers are really nasty and take forever to clear up, and personally, I’d want a second look from a vet at this point.
What you also need to establish is what caused the wither problem in the first place and eliminate that–it’s usually a poorly fitting saddle or blanket.
In the mean time, I’d be doing ground work with this horse to get to know it better and develop a relationship with it.
It is always hard switching from a horse you know to a new one.
And yes, you are still green. Enthusiastic, which is great, but still green. You should try to find some more experienced, preferably adult help I you can (any good horsey neighbors you can go shovel poop for in exchange for assistance or advice?)
If you can’t afford to have the vet back out, as often as it takes until this physical issue is gone, then you can’t afford to have a horse. Sorry, don’t mean to be harsh, but this it be true.
If the withers are still sore, then you need more time to heal. Don’t try to ride until the soreness is completely gone and even then be very cautious and carefull.
For ground work, Clinton Anderson has some excellent videos on groundwork training. there’s a whole series that I’ve used and I’d recommend them. You can find them on Ebay used.
This is a good time to really bond w/ your horse and usually they love the groundwork training. As long as they’re not lame or in pain there’s so much to teach.
@oliverreed well…i disagree the horses arent costing us anything,just the land they graze off,which came with our house…so…:)and my parents say that the vet is an added expense…trust me,I’d love to have money for a vet,If i could,i would!!
EDIT: sorry I didnt mean they actually cost zilch,I meant my parents say they dont want to spend money,and that theres no reason to “spend money” on the vet…
ok @marla 100 - thank you yeah I know…when I get to ride her,i’m going to slowly build her up,the first ride will be for only about 5 minutes,if even that,and go slowly from there,She’s a really good horse and she deserves the best of care.yes’m,I’ll look on Ebay!!I love Clinton Anderson,and his groundwork is awesome.Thank you!
yes it is nasty haha ok then,I’m still green well,i have a friend that is very experienced,she’s only 16 but she’s good…I kid yew not.she helps us regularly,and taught me how to start my horse on lunging.she is also helping an adult trainer,who made it to the Xtreme Mustang Makeover,and that is the trainer that i get to see in a few months,and have a 3day horse camp with.Can’t wait
Sorry I am going to be harsh… Horses are never cheap to own.
How are the horses not costing anything? Who does their feet? Who does their teeth? Who does their vaccinations?
The thing is, if you can’t afford a vet to come out a treat an injury, you can’t afford a horse. What if your horse colics? What will you do? What about dental work, yearly vaccinations, shoes and hoof trimming? All of that stuff costs a lot of money.
Horses are NOT cheap to take care of properly. I know, there were times in my life I desperately wanted a horse, and I could even afford to pay somewhat pricey board - but I could NOT afford vet bills, emergency funds etc - So I did NOT get a horse - instead saved my money till I could afford one - vet bills and all.
So yes, maybe your horses do not cost anything to own, but don’t expect them to work for you. As you have already discovered, without lessons, without experience, without proper vet care - things do not go well.
Sorry kid! I know you are bound by what you parents can and are willing to pay for. Growing up I was lucky in that my dad would drive me out to the stables - I worked for the trainer all day to earn lessons. Great experience, learned a lot, without having to pay a lot. - and I am going to say, horse handling can not be learned through a DVD!
At the risk of sounding like a wench…
Horses are not free, even in my fantasies! Proper vet care is essential, proper hoof care is essential, proper deworming is essential, proper dental care is essential! Proper tack is essential.
If you cannot afford vet care, especially for a horse that has a physical issue, you cannot afford a horse! Was this problem created by ill fitting tack? Can you afford a decent saddle that will not cause your horse pain?
The reality is you are an inexperienced beginner, with no clue about proper horse care. Join a 4-H club, a pony club, go to work for a trainer, or just educate yourself on the freakin’ internet since you obviously have Internet service! I feel sorry for the horse at this point, not you!
BTW, most times a horse “with an attitude” is a horse in pain!
A little harsh there cutter.
I agree that the OP is putting her horse at risk by not understanding the potential costs associate with proper horse care though. OP can you get a part time job and save up for vet care, farrier care and so on?
I don’t think it is fair to judge the OPs experience level/riding skill based on her post either. You never know, but I do think that the OP is lacking on the horsemanship/care side.
OP can you get some books or do more online research on proper horse care such as vaccinations, farrier care, soundness, vet care and so on? Including tack fit?
I am guessing you are lacking confidence because you know you have holes on your training…it is the same as a nervous horse! Horses can develop bad behaviour and nervousness when asked to do something they are not properly prepared for either! Take the time that your horse can’t be ridden to learn as much as possible about the rest of the care aspect of owning a horse. Do lots of ground work too, and really get to know her cues and habits. I bet this will help you feel better about your overall skill set and increase your confidence!
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7961539]
Sorry I am going to be harsh… Horses are never cheap to own.
How are the horses not costing anything? Who does their feet? Who does their teeth? Who does their vaccinations?
The thing is, if you can’t afford a vet to come out a treat an injury, you can’t afford a horse. What if your horse colics? What will you do? What about dental work, yearly vaccinations, shoes and hoof trimming? All of that stuff costs a lot of money.
Horses are NOT cheap to take care of properly. I know, there were times in my life I desperately wanted a horse, and I could even afford to pay somewhat pricey board - but I could NOT afford vet bills, emergency funds etc - So I did NOT get a horse - instead saved my money till I could afford one - vet bills and all.
So yes, maybe your horses do not cost anything to own, but don’t expect them to work for you. As you have already discovered, without lessons, without experience, without proper vet care - things do not go well.
Sorry kid! I know you are bound by what you parents can and are willing to pay for. Growing up I was lucky in that my dad would drive me out to the stables - I worked for the trainer all day to earn lessons. Great experience, learned a lot, without having to pay a lot. - and I am going to say, horse handling can not be learned through a DVD![/QUOTE]
I guess you have a point yeah u definitely do have a point!thanks for bein nice about it.! well they say if you practice what they say in teh DVD,they say it works.but i’ll have to give it a go to see if htey are right.I would try it on teh horse I have had for a few years tho,as we have trained her with the concepts of Sylvia Scott also.Thanks!
[QUOTE=cutter99;7961679]
At the risk of sounding like a wench…
Horses are not free, even in my fantasies! Proper vet care is essential, proper hoof care is essential, proper deworming is essential, proper dental care is essential! Proper tack is essential.
If you cannot afford vet care, especially for a horse that has a physical issue, you cannot afford a horse! Was this problem created by ill fitting tack? Can you afford a decent saddle that will not cause your horse pain?
The reality is you are an inexperienced beginner, with no clue about proper horse care. Join a 4-H club, a pony club, go to work for a trainer, or just educate yourself on the freakin’ internet since you obviously have Internet service! I feel sorry for the horse at this point, not you![/QUOTE]
Haha yes’m,proper care is VERY important;) they say a horse is only as good as its feet,mouth,and the care you put into it but no need to feel sorry for her! she gets reall good care here,promise you that she gets dewormed regularly,trimmed,and her teeth floated and done when needed. and i do have a clue about proper horse care,sorry if I gave you the impression I’m a dunce 
I have right fitting tack,and the vet said it wasnt caused by the saddle,as it fits properly,and I would love to do 4-H,pony club,work for a trainer,and that,and I’m doing my absolute best to learn! thats the reason I asked this question… and my horse doesnt live in any dump,she has good fencing,lots of room,a good barn,( might get a newer one,) and gets good hay and has a nice winter coat and she’s happy, very content its fun watching her, she’s a sweet horse,I’m just working on my confidence issues,really she’s a great horse and I wouldnt dream of hurting her,thats another reason I’m not riding her for a few more months yet.plus she’s new,so I need to get to know her I’m lookin forward to it and as for the horse I’ve had for 2 yrs (goin on the 3rd) she was a QH,and yup it was attitude! we had her checked out for pain,came up clear,and she is soo much better so much fun to ride,she’s only 8 so she’s still fresh and spirited,as she’s a bigger QH,somedays acts like a TB!! love em both!could’nt be more luckier so yep wasnt pain! thanks for checkin it out tho
[QUOTE=CHT;7961737]
A little harsh there cutter.
I agree that the OP is putting her horse at risk by not understanding the potential costs associate with proper horse care though. OP can you get a part time job and save up for vet care, farrier care and so on?
I don’t think it is fair to judge the OPs experience level/riding skill based on her post either. You never know, but I do think that the OP is lacking on the horsemanship/care side.
OP can you get some books or do more online research on proper horse care such as vaccinations, farrier care, soundness, vet care and so on? Including tack fit?
I am guessing you are lacking confidence because you know you have holes on your training…it is the same as a nervous horse! Horses can develop bad behaviour and nervousness when asked to do something they are not properly prepared for either! Take the time that your horse can’t be ridden to learn as much as possible about the rest of the care aspect of owning a horse. Do lots of ground work too, and really get to know her cues and habits. I bet this will help you feel better about your overall skill set and increase your confidence![/QUOTE]
I’m sorry…I didnt mean to say that I dont do all that!Yes,horse care is so important! that is what makes a horseman also.My horsemanship/care isnt lacking tho,there are so many more things I wish I could improve,but cant,I’m bound by parents who think the old-fashioned way.Not my fault.Or theirs.Once I get money saved up,I will improve once i can!but how am I lacking on that care tho? please answer,I’m willing to learn!and yes,saddle fit wasnt an issue in it,least not our saddle,the night we went to ride her at the last owner’s place,she was edgy and would brace when we mounted,but other than that,it just escalated at our place.
But yes,I keep an eye on soundness,and noticed that she was limping.The vet said that the fistula was restricting the movement on her shoulder.And I’m working on groundwork wiht her right now and thanks,it does help with my confidence! have a great day all of you!
