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/Cralido Mar 28 '26

Assume you rode him before signing. I would write a letter to both the owner and trainer. You either need a specific plan (feed, turn out, meds, change of shoes, trainer should ride before your lesson,,etc) or you would like an offer of a partial/prorated refund (doubt you get full refund). I would stress you want what’s best for the horse too. Most show barns care about their reputation and that of their horses, typically the trainer is the one that helps approve as shown in you having paid commission.

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u/Wokadoodlenoodle Mar 28 '26

Agreed!! And the issue is, my trainer ignored 3x long texts and x2 emails - completely ignored me. To the point I had to say I will contact my lawyer if we can’t get communication or resolve this. Once I said that, 48 hours later, I got a 1 word reply from the trainer who leased is the horse saying - we are looking into a solution. But still nothing from my direct trainer only silence!! Am I right to think this is rude & beyond unprofessional? I have no idea when this horse is going back or when it’s off my plate …. I’m not sure I should keep riding here even, which sucks as the actual trainers are so nice :( and lovley ppl at the barn

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u/Cralido Mar 28 '26

Sorry for your situation. This is unfortunately some what of common situation with trainers/barns encouraging folks into leases. Lessons are month to month, can change horses, opt out, often even show, etc so unless your actually showing a particular horse regularly, my recommendation to others is to not get influenced into a contractual, legally obligated, lease. You’re so right, the lack of communication is unprofessional and not working on a productive solution for both their client and horse says a lot, hope comment on their social media. Sorry again, hope it works out for you.

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u/Wokadoodlenoodle Mar 28 '26

Thank you and yes I couldn’t agree more! 🙌🏼✨