should we go or should we stay to retrain?

[gr]

I have been offered a horse who has become too bad tempered to continue with his current owners, he nips, he shows his heels when catching him, when hacking he can be hard to stop. I have always found him ok, and I think most of his problems plan to enlist the help of an RA but my question is would it be better to move yards so he has a completely fresh start or stay at his current yard with perhaps associated unhappy feelings. If I move him I wonder if the stress of intergrating into a new herd would make him even more bad tempered. He has been at his current yard for about 5 years with mainly the same group of horses with him. I would be interested in people's views

[mandal]

My advice would be to enlist an RA for a visit and opinion. I would have thought it's a case of 'it depends' I'm afraid. I think an RA visit to see the horse, the set up and talk things through with you may help in making this decision.

[Kayti]

For me the answer is "Where ever you feel most comfortable".

The yard where you feel you have the best chance of support, the right level of company for him, right amount of low stress and appropriate facilities to achieve this change. If you are happy then this will reflect in your approach to training him. If you have worries then that will effect him.

If you choose to move him then there will be a settling in period but if the overall benefits are greater then do it. If you are happy with where he is, then stay there, see what happens and keep moving in your back pocket for another option later

The Dog Whisper said something that made me think - the dog doesnt hang onto his troubled past, it is the human who does.

[madhatter]

I can only speak from my own experience. I took on a mare who was far worse than your boy appears to be. She could not tolerate humans or other horses and would come at you with major intent from both ends (and the bits in between lol). I decided to move her to a new yard and she is a changed horse. There was quite a long settling in period, so be prepared to be patient and take things at his pace. She is now keen to make the first approach with new horses and her intent to do damage to anyone or anything in her vicinity has gone.

Would I have had the same results if I had kept her on her old yard - who knows. All I can say is that it worked for us.

I do agree however, that if you have the opportunity to get an RA out for an initial assessment, before you make any decisions, that would be THE ideal starting point. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[gr]

thanks for feedback, its useful to have different points of view. I think I have found another yard if necessary so shall just wait to see what RA says before making decision and hopefully it will stop snowing soon so we can get on with things!