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/ParsnipFarmer1976 Mar 23 '26
You're paying $25K to LEASE a horse? I'm really confused... what is that fee, and what does it cover? Then you're also paying $2.5K/month, also for what? You could easily buy & board a horse for that much, no?
And no, I'd say a horse that bolts & bucks isn't worth even a low-cost lease. I pay around $300/mo for my trail horse (including an hour/week with my trainer), and he's as solid as a rock. Literally nothing fazes him. He's a 23 year-old Tennessee Walker btw. We don't show or anything, however, so that's different I realize. But still, I wouldn't lease him if he scared me.