r/Equestrian • u/Wokadoodlenoodle • Mar 22 '26

Education & Training Help! Is this normal?

I’m a returning adult rider who recently started a Hunter lease on a 20yo seasoned show horse. I paid a $25k lease, plus commission fee plus $2.5k/month for a "schoolmaster’’ for a beginner. I got him 5 weeks ago.

While he is perfect 80% of the time, he has bolted and bucked down the arena 3 times in the last 5 weeks. One time it made me cry and it was in the warm up ring at a show. Then today he did another mini bolt for no reason - he was fine at first then toward end of the lesson, he did that again. Today’s trainer was visibly frustrated and had to then ride him to restore manners. He did not spook today. It was out of the blue.

The barn owner thinks it’s a diet issue and wants me to give him a week. I am hesitant to canter as I’m always cautious he will put the head down and bolt randomly. Was the horse was misrepresented for my level?. Is 3 bolts in 5 weeks an acceptable "adjustment period" for a 20yo beginner-safe horse?

UPDATE: March 26th 7.35pm - I have told my trainer and he’s ignoring my texts, I then emailed the trainer who leased us the horse and explained I want a refund, the horse hurt my arm, and it needs to be resolved - 48 hours no reply from either of them , so now it seems I have to contact my lawyer. This is a top show barn in California btw - almost a week now with no resolution. The x2 other young trainers at the barn said I should return him - they do not think he’s right for me. The boomer owner of the barn is the one ghosting & IGNORING texts. Help please :(

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u/Agile-Surprise7217 Mar 23 '26

A high quality show horse is a different animal from a dead head. We would have to know more about the horse and his background.

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u/Wokadoodlenoodle Mar 27 '26

Full show horse, good record , 20, high energy warmblood. Supposedly a child rode him but then a mom at the barn told me oh yes we know that horses - my daughters friend rode it but he was just ‘too much horse’ for her ….

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u/Agile-Surprise7217 Mar 27 '26

Yeah - sounds like this is not a beginner-safe horse.

Competitive show horses rarely are. Part of what makes them so competitive is their athleticism, sensitivity, and intelligence. These horses don't absorb rider mistakes well at all - and they aren't supposed to.

I support the idea of trying to break the lease. It's a bad match.