Ahah, does anyone else have this ??

J

JessandCharlie

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Hi all!!
I have a lovely (sometimes) 7yo warmblood mare, but we have developed a little problem. I have had her for around 6months now and although all started well she began to stop at fences. My trainer got on her and had no problems and we began to make alot of progress. However, having been dumped at two fences in 5 minutes and having a very frustrating patch i decided to let my trainer jump her once a week until she improves (i wasnt totally sure it wasnt just me) So, he has ridden her 3 times now and the first time was great, second time good, but she got very grumpy about having leg aids on (kicked out at everything and anything whenever her touched her with his leg) and yesterday, the third time she started ok ish and then decided to stop at everything no matter what. Now heres the real problem, the stopping in itself isnt so bad, but at home, at shows with me and now with my trainer she has simply "downed tools" and decided "im not moving now, boot me do what you like, i dont care im standing here and tough!" she will walk if led but absolutely will not do anymore than that. Its very odd and very strange, a horse that is usually fairly off the leg and well schooled to ignore your leg or any other forward aid to that degree. We tried everything, changed bit, took off spurs tried other saddles, other bridles etc. NOTHING WORKED! Odd thing is, some days she will jump anything, no problems. Also, when she does this it often starts with stopping at a fence a few strides away, then refusing to move at all. Sorry for the long rambling post, but all very confused, she has an awesome jump and jumped to quite a high level (for her age) when she was younger, I really dont know what to do? Any ideas/ advice etc would be appreciated so much, Im totally at a loss!
confused.gif
 
Oh I forgot to say, the jumps we were asking her to do were small, no where near pushing her or scaring her, and she cleared the ones she cleared by a long way (didnt balloon on leap it though!)
 
Yes, gave her a break from jumping as we thought it could be that, vet coming out soon, saddle fitter just been and its fine. She hacks a couple of times a week, does dressage and has lessons, shouldnt be bored! The really tricky bit is, the unpredictable way in which she does it, some days, perfect, utter dream ride, others like she was yesterday! :P
 
Does it sound like ulcers? I thought about that and was just off to do some research! Also, do you think horse communicators work? Im open minded to this sort of thing, and Im assuming shes good? :P It would be good to ask her whats wrong!!
 
as you seem to either covering or about to cover all options, just worth asking the vet to check her ovaries and make sure all is OK there as that can have a big impact.

Another option could just be that she has got a bit sour - you said she had jumped to a good level previously - what about hunting her? or XC her? it can help a sour horse regain its love of jumping
 
good plan, did do some XC schooling with her but it made little difference- just read this
"His behavior was somewhat similar to what you describe. Lazy to start, would sometimes sull up and eventually would kick at my right leg and actually turn around and try to bite it. I was able to push him through it, and when he did give in he was great, but I suspected it wasn't all behavioral. Anyway, after 3 doses of Ulcerguard, he's been a saint. "
Sounds alot like her at the moment, she does kick at the leg, but it seems to come in waves, and is inconsistent - is this possible or do ulcers usually cause problems all the time?
 
There is a topic on here about ann dee, we have her speak to our horses and she spoke to one of ours last night and the stuff she knows that she cant possibly know is gob smacking... well worth the 50 quid even if its a last resort and you having nothing left to lose... ul be shocked!
 
wow! may have to persuade dad then! It would be lovely to be able to ask her "Worm (thats her name) what up?" She's such a sweet natured horse in every other way!
 
He seems very uncomfortable and sometimes he completely shuts down and will not be responsive at all, almost like a narcoleptic episode.
Read this too about ulcers, which she does, and it also says it often starts with stiffness on the right side, she sometimes will not bend well to the right and will also prefer to pick up left canter as opposed to right, could this all be related? Do we think the ulcers theory could be correct? she also always kicks with the left leg, could this be because of an inability to kick with the right one because she's stiff on that side? hmmm. . . thanks for all your help so far, keep it coming!! XD
 
Im sure whatever is wrong with her that Anne will pick it up, I know some people will laugh at me but I dont care, I defy anyone to have the 50 quid down and have it done and still be laughing lol Poor horse may complain about his name though (worm) lol x
 
Sounds like a very frustrating situation. If only horses could talk. Personally if she were one of mine, I'd get my saddle checked by a trusted saddle fitter, then I'd get chiro/Bowen practioner (EMRT is a form of Bowen and it is wonderful stuff, works really deeply and the horses love it - http://www.emrt.net.au/about_emrt.htm out to locate any soreness, tightness or stiffness and treat appropriately. If this didn't work I'd start to look at teeth etc.

One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that horses don't do anything without a reason, it's cause and effect. Your horse is trying to tell you something, trouble is it can be hard work out what!

Good luck!
 
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