A real worrier and possibly a bit riggy - Help please

jules9203

jules9203

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Joined
21 November 2009
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605
Location
Hampshire
www.pensdellequestrian.org.uk
We have a 16.3hh Sec D x ID who is super to ride but is a real worrier and very stressy. He is stabled with others and can see his field companions at all times when he is in (they are in at the same time too) however he will box walk and go off his feed for no apparent reason. Unfortunately he is the only gelding so does tend to think he has to look after his mares, but even if they are all there he can suddenly start stressing and I have no idea why. I have tried various calmers and a mirror in his box did nothing. He isn't easy to keep weight on either, surprisingly!. He has a routine which rarely changes, I'm on the yard by 7am but I can tell when I walk on the yard whether he will eat his breakfast or not. He has ad lib good quality hay (which the others finish every strand of) when in but just doesn't eat it. Our grass is ok but we don't have enough for him to live out 24/7 during the winter.

If we bring him in from the field without the others he will break out in a sweat within minutes and start shaking. He isn't able to keep all 4 feet on the floor at anytime, its almost like watching Micheal Jackson!

Does anyone have any suggestions on feed or calmers/supplements that might help. I cannot change his stable and field companions so that is not an option. I would just like to be able to settle him in some way as he is a lovely horse.
 
He sounds similar to my 5 year old ex racer. He box walks something shocking and won't always finish his breakfast if he thinks there's a possibility of the others even having their head collars put on. As soon as you start rugging up to turn everyone out he is stressing; shouting and shaking. He's never left in alone and can always see his mates when out (was in group turnout but have had to use individual now as he got so attached that he wouldn't let anyone leave the field and would lash out at anyone and anything if attempting to remove any one of his friends).

Ridden he's much happier though and doesn't mind if he can't see a soul!

He's on mollichaff calmer and magnitude now which I *think* is helping. I took him off alfa-a oil and pasture cubes and have replaced with micronised linseed and the mollichaff plus his balancer
 
You don't have a lot of options to change, only exercise and feed as far as I can see.
More walking, more hacking, on a loose rein where possible, a more interesting regime in the arena.
Feed, cut out processed feeds.
Add magnesium to a max[? 30gms per day], and though a straight MgO is available I would want to feed Feedmark Steady up at max dosage for at least two months.
Micronised linseed, mon molassed beet, no molassed chaff eg Dengie,, minerals, salt. You can try oats for energy, as it is better than barley rings, which might be more fattening.
Try a B vit injection to see if that helps.
If box walking tie him up with access to a haynet when practical,
 
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