Advice needed for novice and young horse
Although I owned when I was younger I have had a long break and getting back into it all again now in my 40s. I have a 5 year old gelding who came to me with lovely manners- picked his feet up, was forward going but responsive. I’ve had him for 3 months now- he took a while to settle and was very spooky at everything for the first month or so. I got him a saddle fit as he had weight to lose and would ride him twice per week. He was settling well, however we’ve had a setback these last three weeks. I had my first canter in the school and he freaked out after walking and trotting so lovely for 15 minutes beforehand. I fell and he panicked and galloped round the school 3 times before coming to me sweating and panicked. The following week I tried to lead him round the school first but when my daughter tried to get on him he panicked and reared then did the same gallop away round the school. I did notice that he was pawing when I initially put the saddle on him and I had kept the girth loose when I was hand leading him (and he was pretty calm being led round the school) I have the saddler out in a week but worried that not riding him is more of a setback for him but I don’t want to get on him in case his saddle is pinching him. I have also noticed that he’s a lot more panicked in his field this week too. I’m just looking for some advice on whether I’m missing anything. I’ve also called my vet so they can check him. Any advice or anything you think I’m missing as my confidence has had a bit of a knock over this and I feel like this is a big setback. Is there anything you think I can do whilst waiting on the saddler and vet?