Advice needed please...................... very upset!! Long!!

lochpearl

lochpearl

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2007
Messages
2,139
Visit site
As some of you already know I bought a horse from a dealer last year, he was not the one I went to buy but there were complications (long story!!) and I had to exchange for this horse. Now he had been beaten, abused, ear twitched you name it and was in very poor condition. I have spent the last 7 months working with him, i can now do anything with him (within reason!!) He has put on a huge amount of condition and muscle and looks amazing now and I was riding between 6 and 7 days a week with no problems, hacking and schooling. I then moved yards from full livery to DIY 3 weeks ago as the YM was hitting him and shouting at him and the other horses and he was getting very headshy again so had to get out of there! Since I have moved him he is in a big field full of grass, very nice lush grass and he started to become a little silly, if he was one of the last horses out he would gallop around and then when I got him he sometimes would rear up and pull back - now when he does this there is fear in his eyes like he is going to get belted but of course that was his past not his life now so using my voice he would calm and come in fine. This I put down to lush grass and changing yards. Riding wise he has been absolutely fine, hacked out on roads with busses, children in gardens jumping on trampolines etc. we have also walked calmly round a 20 acre field with a dog chasing us and fine, and schooling fine, the odd spook but nothing bad. One week ago I had a saddle fitting and he did a naughty spook thing so I kicked him on and he bucked - first time ever!!! After that hacked out fine. Last few weeks funny to lead in and out to the field with this rearing thing, not every day and no consistency. My mate brought her mare up to the yard for livery on Sun and she is stabled next to him and in the field next to him, he has gone bonkers, she is in season now, he's a gelding so really shouldn't be getting too excited!! Anyway took him out for a hack with another gelding last night, brilliant all the way - kids playing ball, strimmers being switched on buses you name it fine, working really nicely and then a few mins from home he was back off the leg and i thought he was going to buck so i pushed him on, he vertically reared with me in the road, then proceeded to bronc, as cars were coming both ways I threw myself off mid buck and got him off the road and led him back. This morning i had him tied up on the yard and was putting a rain sheet on and he pulled back and b*ggered off, ran round the yard and field and eventually allowed me to catch him - so he has been out naked all day in the rain ha!! So really what I would like advice on is what one earth do I do?? He is having a handful of chaff with supplements in for dinner whereas he was having 4 feeds a day at the previous yard and they were big feeds, he is getting hay not haylage and he is a nutter. I am beginning to lose my confidence on him as I really thought I was going to land on a car or worse last night. He has had back, vet, teeth, new saddle, new bridle in the last few weeks so there is nothing that stands out but I cannot beleive this is just the grass and this mare and if it is then I can't see it getting better just worse.......
Huge muffins and a glass of wine for you all for getting this far
confused.gif
!!!
 
Does sound like quite a changed horse. If everything else has already been checked - is it possible it could just be spring grass? Especially as you've not had him through a springtime yet?
Other than that I don't really know. Could he be upset that he's gone from 4 nice yummy feeds a day down to 1 boring one?
smile.gif
 
Hmm has this all happened since th saddle fit/new saddle?

Did the vet check his back? Perhaps a visit from the physio might be worth while?

If so I'd be getting that checked again. Although this time of year they often do get a bit full of themselves. Perhaps chuck him on a calmer for a bit?
He may also now realise what nice Mum he has and be just pushing his luck somewhat. Mine started to be erm shall we say "cheeky" about 8 months after I got him.
 
Are you sure your new saddle fits properly ? Just if he has always been ok and then within a few days of changing you have bucks and a rear it does sound like a coincidence. Could you get a second opinion, or try him with another saddle ?
Mine always get silly when they go out on more grass, but not to the extent that their behaviour changes radically.
 
it really could be the grass... it is very very sweet and has huge amounts of energy in it, not exactly what he needs. umm, well done for persevering with what sounds like a difficult horse, you have done everything right so far.
what saddle do you have? it is just that if the first time he ever bucked with you it was when trying this saddle, and he's bucked since, i would just be a little suspicious of it.
what do you mean by "off the leg" when he suddenly started to think about being naughty last night? did he suddenly go tense and rush forward? can you calm him with your voice if he does that again? i know it's difficult to pretend to be calm when you're wondering what the hell he might do, but if he's had hard times in the past, his natural-pessimist thing will take over for a second, and he'll need a quick nice reminder that it's YOU up there, the nice person who doesn't hurt him.
can he go out in a smaller paddock, so he gets the exercise but not so much grass? just an idea.
can the mare be stabled elsewhere on the yard, even if it's just for 2 weeks to see if it makes a difference? some geldings retain a very good idea of what they're supposed to do with a tarty mare, unfortunately.
frown.gif

very best of luck with him, i really hope he continues to reward all your hard work.
 
thanks Nikkiportia, I wish, but I cut all the hard feed out because of this behaviour and also I didn't want to risk lami as he has TB in him and he was getting a little rounder than I wanted. I am just concerned that I am losing my nerve again and he is getting worse - shouldn't he be climatised (sp) to the grass now after being on it for 3 weeks plus?? plus none of the others are going mad???
 
It sounds like you are doing all the right things and well done for the amount you have achieved so far.

However, it seems that he is feeling rather well and I would put it down to the spring grass, the mare and also that he is beginning to feel well and test his boundaries.

I am sure if you keep on with your routine and quiet handling he will improve again. There is always two steps forward and one step back in cases like this. Is there anyway you can move the mare though, as this does seem to be quite a big factor?

Another thought is maybe you could keep him out 24/7 now, this can quieten them down a bit - possible lack of sleep or maybe full bellies!

I would also explore his saddle situation again as this is something that has changed - can you put his old one back on and see what happens?

Well done with what you have done so far and all the best.
 
The buck with the new saddle was more of a reaction to my pony club kick and that was for his Albion SLK Ultima Dressage saddle which was actually made for him, but when I was hacking him we were in the Albion K2 GP again made to measure so I really don't beleive it is the saddle and as I said we were going for 40 mins prior to that perfectly with lots of things to mess about with and he was perfect. Sorry my head is in a jumble I meant that he was backing off from my leg, leg on and he just got stuffy and slowed down and hunched up so I tried pushing him on and I guess he thought twice about the buck and popped in a rear, problem is that we have to hack on roads to get to bridle paths and I cannot risk taking him out on the roads if he might do it again, he needs 110% confidence from me and I will be like a withering idiot! The Yard is full now so I cannot move his stable, I guess the main problem is that he has been so easy to handle with me and quiet that I could just about cope when he played up, but now he is doing it under saddle I just don't want to ride him - which in turn is going to make things worse. plus we cannot lunge in the school and there is nowhere else HELP!!!
 
Sounds a bit like a great deal of things have changed in this horses life recently - yard, feed, companions, grass, weather, saddle... In a horse that hasn't always been treated well, they often don't handle change so well at first. Even though you've had a horrible experience on the roads, I'd just try and stick it out and give him a few weeks to settle down. You're the one consistent factor in his life so just keep behaving as normally as possible and he'll gain confidence from you. If he thinks you're anxious, he will be too. I'd certainly ease off all hard feed and try and keep him on a smaller amount of grazing but otherwise just chin up and lots of reassurance (for both of you!).
 
As the others have said - I'm not convinced the new saddle has done you any favours... Have you still got your old one? Can you try him in that and see if there is any difference in his behaviour? If you can't revert back to your old saddle, can you get a knowledgeable friend or another saddle fitter to check your saddle for you?

I would definitely restrict his grazing and turn him out with boys only if possible. Spring grass can make some horses go loopy for a few weeks, especially some of the more excitable breeds & your chap does have TB in him. 2 of my boys are definitely geldings but if they see a girl in season they are horrific! The chestnut dressage horse in my siggie strip is inclined to walk on his back legs until I lose him if I'm trying to lead him away from his girls and when my mares are in season i always use a be-nice halter or bridle to bring him in to do it safely.

Good luck! I'm sure this is just a temporary glitch which if you can work through then everything will be fine again.
 
Thanks Dixie, problem is he is ready to come in at 4 - so all this starts then, I can't get there until 5.45 so he throws his tantrums until he comes in. We aren't able to turn out 24/7 otherwise I would have kicked him oout and left him to chill for a few months but he has to come in. He is as quiet as anything in the stable and he has stopped cribbing since he has been at the new yard - he started cribbing at the old yard as he was stressed with being bullied by the YM. Problem is I have already lost my nerve badly and had to get rid of my much loved youngster that I had for 5 years and this new one was bringing back my confidence - now it is shattered again. I am wondering whether to try and get a competent (sp) sharer so that he can be worked through it without me losing my nerve anymore??
 
Some horses get very upset by change of any kind. If he has gone on to lush spring grass,he has suddenly got a sugar overload. Add to this the arrival of the new horse and obviously he has blown his brain! We bought a new pony 4 weeks ago and I couldn't believe the effect it had on my mare who is usually incredibly placid. She turned into a fire-snorting grumpy dragon. I put it down to the arrival of the pony and spring at the same time. I am pleased to say that she is now back to her normal self. Your horse is obviously very sensitive, so give him some time to settle. I would also double check that the new saddle does in fact fit - this has happened to me in the past.
 
If you're really nervous about the roads, I would get off and lead the first few times and get back on when you get to the bridleway. Try riding only in the school for a week and then see how you feel. I also try not to boot my horses on as it just pisses them off (they can feel a fly on their skin so a boot is quite harsh). I let them sit for a count of ten and then I give them a pat and ask them to carry on. If I think I'm going to get a buck or a rear, I turn on the forehand and go back a few steps then another little turn and trot on.
 
I agree kit, the problem was that there was someone overtaking me and cars coming head on, he wasn't listening to any aids or my voice, I did try and pat him on but we were going to cause an accident so in the end after no signs of letting up I had to jump off. The saddles have both been made to fit and I still have the others but no difference in behaviour and they are tighter as we have gone wider in both. I guess I know that it isn't anything physical as we have started excersising (sp) when we was a lot weaker and he had more of an excuse then, I gues it is the grass and the mare but they are huge factors that he has to deal with. they are all in individual turn out but they are next door to each other hopefully if another field comes up I can grab it and move him - but a little annoyed I have to be the one to move!! Back man was out a week ago and everything good, plus I bought him an equissage for Christmas so we use that loads and that has helped.
 
Have you tried a calmer? Nupafeed has taken the edge off a couple of mine, and I've seen it work well with all sorts.
 
getting a sharer/someone to help with the riding sounds like a good plan, be sure you its someone very experienced who wont also back off him though as he will then realise that he can have that effect on people and just continue the nonsense! i got a sharer for my pony when i first fell pregnant and iv now not ridden him for nearly 6 months because she let him take the p*ss out her so he started to try it on with me and i wasnt in a position to argue with him incase i fell off.
 
Not a nice situation for either of you to find yourselves in.
I know this may sound strange but it could be the mare...the change of his surroundings...the grass...the reverting back to old behaviour.
I say this as my mare has done something similar to yours...she was a rescue when I bought her 11 years ago...totally anti--human and untouchable. We got through all this and built a relationship...it took a long time.
It was the turning out issue that I can sympathise with most...I had an issue with mine being incredibly difficult out of of the blue twice in the past year. Long story and if you want to talk about it pm me.
Also my mare started bucking/broncing when ridden after being fine to ride for ages...I looked at every option, moved yards and had lessons out hacking and in the school...these really helped me...but I wouldnt say she was as dramatic as yours tbh. But I had help from an instructor who knew my horse and her quirks already...and it got resolved. I was terrified of losing my nerve with her..I had lost it before...but we got through it and she was fine again.
I really wish you good fortune, it may take time and really looking at all his routine and environment.
Hence my first sentence...don't discount the simple things...we may not understand it but to a horse it is natural reaction.
My mare still surprises me...her 'world' is not always obvious to us humans!!!
 
Sounds like someone is feeling very well!

As for the problems bringing him out of the field - I would simply make sure he is never left alone.

Good luck - you'll work through it.
 
Hey Miranda, so sorry your ned is being nuts (need to reply to your last PM!). I agree with AmyMay, if he's ready to come in at 4 then can you arrange for someone to get him in and leave him with hay until you arrive? My pony God rest her little soul was the sanest most sensible thing going, but if she spent an evening in the field waiting for me she would be barmy by the time I got to ride. He's probably just feeling the change of routine, which has been huge for him. I'd be inclined to give yourselves a week off and then start again with a fresh perspective: I sometimes have to do this with Ronnie on a regular basis just to find out what works and what doesn't.
Take care xx
 
Others have already said it, but looking at this, "He has had back, vet, teeth, new saddle, new bridle in the last few weeks so there is nothing that stands out ", it seems to me that what stands out is everything, all at once. He's very unsettled at the moment and I wouldn't underestimate spring grass, either!

As for geldings not getting excited? Tell that to my pony! He's very well-mannered, but any opportunity to get his end away is well and truly seized!! Dirty little thing!

I would do as others suggested and give yourselves a week off. Hope he's less loopy soon - that can't have been pleasant at all!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top