Dangerous Horse

Question
My friend has a 17.2 warmblood who has become a denger on the yard. She bought him after only having ten lessons, and no experience in looking after him. He is a very talented horse but has lost enourmous amounts of condition and muscle due to lack of work.

He has become very dangerous, bucking vertical rears, bolting.. He isn't scared, he is just trying to get the rider off and he definitly means it. He has also formed an attachment to another horse, and often gets loose when taken out in an attempt to find him.

Last sunday he did this and came down inches from both me and another friend's heads. No-one could get near him until we brought the other horse down.

His owner got his back checked, and apparentle he has a sore bit which could have been causing some of theis behaviour, the back0man said not to ride him for a month, but to long-rein him and lunge. However with this extra lack of excersise i am worried he will be even worse. It is amazing no-one has been hurt yet.

This horse has not changed, and people have tried to help. He is a danger on the yard, to horses and people, and I have tried to recommend he be sold. However she won't sell him. He is 12 years old and has this mentality in his head, there is also a possibility of past abuse. Whilst the back-problem and a buse explain his behavious  it doesn't make it less dangerous.

DO you think he can be trained out of it, by a new owner who is strong and knowledgable with time to give him? At the moment most people think he should be shot. And do you think I am wrong in saying to his owner to sell him?

As I said, he is a talented horse, I just don't think she knows anything about helping him.

Thankyou for your help,
Yours Sincerly
Jess Blackthorne

Answer
Hi Jess,
          Your friend's horse has some very serious and dangerous issues. I would not recommend that either you or your friend works with him at this time as he needs a professional Trainer. Your friend has three choices, one would be to have the horse put down before he hurts someone. The second would be to hire a good natural horsemanship trainer, which will cost money and there is no guarantee that he will not still have these issues. Three, is to sell or give away the horse. If she does then she needs to tell the person who buys him about all of the issues. Follow the vet's advise and do not ride him for at least a month. Give him as much turn out as you can so he can get exercise. Also, take him off grain as that might help.


Lisa