Please, urgent help needed with my horse? :(?

Question

I just bought my very first horse and he arrived today to the stables I'll be boarding him at. He's a 12-year-old Mangalarga gelding.
Unfortunately, his arrival didn't go nearly as smoothly as I'd imagined.

On the multiple times I went to see this horse before purchase, he behaved well other than a few minor bad habits, but nothing major.
Today, when he arrived, I planned on leading him around the property for a bit so he could get to know his new home, and then taking him to his stall. Well, he extremely pushy on the lead and trying to walk ahead and invade my space, and he dragged me over to a water puddle (which I understand he'd be thirsty after the travel, but still..). When he saw some grass, he decided to roll in it (with me still holding the lead rope). After the rolling, he tried bolting off, but I could contain him.
Problem is he tried bolting off again after that, and started galloping in very small circles around me and kicking out at the air. I managed to calm him down after a while but it was so scary, I started sobbing uncontrollably and was scared to even lead him back to his stall. I eventually did, with him trying to drag me around all the way.

It was so frustrating and terrifying, I didn't even want to be in the stall with him after that. I gave myself some time to relax and went in there later, and he was fine. He had rolled around in there already and was enjoying his hay, so was feeling pretty comfortable. He didn't mind my presence in there at all. That made me feel a little better.

Anyways, I desperately need advice on this situation. Right now I'm scared of getting him out of his stall again in case he'll act up and end up hurting me or himself, but I know I need to get over this and work with him. I also know he was probably nervous from the trip, being in a new place, seeing a bunch of new people and different horses, and my hope is that being in the stall for a couple of days will get him a little bit more used to the new surroundings.

But I REALLY need help on gaining this horse's respect. I want to feel comfortable and at ease around him, not constantly on edge, and I know that I need him to respect me. I don't want a huge, strong animal pushing me around. I really need to know what to do now to gain my confidence back and what kind of exercise I can do to get him to respect and trust me.

I just couldn't stop crying on the way home thinking I made a huge mistake, but I don't want to give up just yet.. :(

By the way, I'm an experienced rider. I just never had a horse of my own and so never had to deal with this kind of situation.
Oh, and this horse has a large stall but will spend most of the time in a pasture with a couple of other horses.

Thank you to anyone who might offer some help!

foxhunter1949 · Accepted Answer

You need to learn how to control him on the ground.
I think you were wrong to 'take him for a walk around the property' he needed to be put in his stable, have a drink, a pee and allowed to eat his hay.

The fact that he started with being pushy should have clued you to what it was going to move up to. You needed to correct this with a good firm jerk on the halter and making him back up.

Get help with his manners from someone at the barn. 
The fact that he was 'unsettled' is no excuse for bad manners and remember, the worse behaviour you allow is the best behaviour you can expect.

Jaden · Answer

He may have just been very excited, yes pushy, and just stretching his legs. The galloping was unnecessary though. Don't make excuses for him though. And DON'T be scared he will feed off your scared, negative, energy and push you around every chance he gets. So just lounge him in the round pen, small field, or arena. Let him know who's boss and then ride him or whatever his purpose is.

This is your first horse so you are gonna be nervous, especially after what he did. I am 14 and haven't had a horse yet. But I ride once a week I have been for 7 years and I also volunteer at a draft horse rescue. I was training this 2 year old quarter horse filly last weekend and she was very pushy, so I had to circle her a lot and back her up. But since she always wants to move around I would discipline her and then go right in to a game. (walking over poles, walking over tarp, playing with giant colorful ball) So it shouldn't be all work no play, but let him now you mean business!

And give him lots of love in the stall...

Anonymous · Answer

You may need to be around him more often. You need to make the horse feel content with his surroundings. I mean imagine if you were shipped off to a new place. How would that make you feel? But I feel so sorry about what happened. You must feel really strongly about this. This means you love the horse and want the best for him. My blessings to you and you're horse. 

   Love,
           Guinea Pig Person

Anonymous · Answer

my horse did this. i was 12 but i'm very strong physically and even more strong minded, i had my game face on. my horse just wanted to get used to the new surroundings and was a bit scared.. just talk calmly to the horse, it's not about what you say, it's how you say it. don't be scared, if you're scared, your horse will get scared, maybe just do 5-10 minutes of walking slowly and calmly around the paddock everyday this week. have someone there with you if it helps... good luck:)

Myhorsebubbie · Answer

He's trying to over power you, you need to show him that your boss. Don't show fear that just shows him that what he's trying to do works! When he acts up yell at him or take a crop and just tap him. Not hard just enough to make him realize he's not I'm charge. So please don't do this in a form of abuse! Another thing that my uncle does with all his horses that act up and don't Listin. He puts them in a round pen and makes them run and run and run till they finally get the point! Do this every time he acts up and eventually he'll stop. Don't forget your much smaller and weaker then the horse so don't be afraid to slap him cause it won't actually hurt him that much. Again not in a form of abuse just enough to I give him the message! Don't punch him just slap!!! If your not a violent person then try runing him for a long time! And remember never show that your scared!

Hope this helps :)

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Please, urgent help needed with my horse? :(?

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