Always Listen, they aren't just 'naughty'

[Hormonal Filly]

So a year in and out the vets, I was still certain my gelding wasn't quite right. Second opinion vet has travels 200 miles to see us since March.

He disliked being ridden on grass, even with other horses.. but in a arena is full of it. Everyone thinks I'm mental and there is nothing wrong with him, oh hes just naughty and lazy, give him a smack. He trotted up 100% sound for the vet not so long ago, but decided to pursue and get the vet back out AGAIN and ask about looking in front.

Nerve blocked his front feet, wow he was a different horse.. cantered across the field on his own with me on him and was pulling to keep going. X-rays showed he does has a few foot issues causing pain, and since having heart bar shoes on hes been so much better already.

So glad I went with my gut feeling.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

So a year in and out the vets, I was still certain my gelding wasn't quite right. Second opinion vet travels 200 miles to see us.

He disliked being ridden on grass, even with other horses.. but in a arena is full of it. Hes been like it a year or so, but suddenly worse in the last couple of months. Everyone thinks I'm mental and there is nothing wrong with him, hes just naughty and should have a smack. He trotted up 100% sound for the vet not so long ago, but decided to pursue and get the vet back out AGAIN and ask about looking in front.

Nerve blocked his front feet, wow he was a different horse.. cantered across the field on his own with me on him and was pulling to keep going. X-rays showed he does has a few foot issues causing pain, and since having heart bar shoes on hes been so much better already.

So glad I went with my gut feeling.

You are so right! I learned that the hard way and sometimes when I look back, I don't understand why I didn't put 2 + 2 together a lot sooner. I try to make sure that I always listen to the horse now, whatever any-one else says.

 

[Green Bean]

Completely agree, there are few, if any, people who know your horse better than you. Leading, grooming, riding, shmoosing all contribute to a complete picture that no one one else has, only you know when something odd isn't right. Glad you have acted on your instinct and found the issue ForbiddenHorse
Pearlsasinger - you are so right, we often miss the early signs and are swayed by others' opinions and could kick ourselves for not acting sooner - we are all guilty of this.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I'm so glad you have found the issue you knew was there.

I'm a massive advocate of this and spout it everywhere I go.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

Margrit Coates who is an Animal Communicator said in her book that when a horse is in pain its way of communicating this pain to its rider will be in stages.

Of course these are not verbal demonstrations but are the only way the horse can make its point: they must feel that we are very stupid human beings to not understand what they are clearly telling us and must get incredibly frustrated! I will freely admit when i had my first horse at 17 I sadly was at the stage where my mare was 'screaming'. She used to rear, buck and bolt. I was naive, uneducated and a complete novice. We sold her as a brood mare and someone more knowledgable than me realised she wasn't 'just naughty' and got the chiropractor out who found she had vetebrae 'out' in her back. And since that time with the benefit of experience, knowledge and age I am happy to say my horses since have never progressed further than a whisper as a vet has always been out at the first sign of trouble.

The stages are horses talking are thus;

First the horse will 'whisper' to its rider. This might mean a swish of the tail when the saddle approaches, or a pulled face when the girth is tightened.

If these subtle messages fail to deter it's rider the horse will escalate it's communication to a 'shout'. This might take the form of not moving forward when requested, nipping it's rider when the girth is tightened or pinning it's ears back in displeasure at being ridden.

Finally the horse in sheer desperation at not being listened to will start 'screaming' at it's rider. This is when the horse starts bucking, rearing or bolting. It might charge at its rider across the stable door or try to kick out to make it's point. Of course not all pain can be seen by something obvious like lameness. A horse could have crippling neck or back pain or a horrendous headache that is unlikely to be detected. In the lottery of life this may be the end of the road for these horses, or they could be 'retired' and live a long and sad life in chronic pain, glanced at once a day from afar.

Sometimes, if the horse has an understanding owner the vet or physio will be called. More often or not, the horse is labelled as 'naughty' and may be punished further by harder work, the use of severe bits, or overused and unnecessary training aids.

This explanation is my own words. Its not a dig at anyone whose horse has got to 'screaming' at it's owner. As I say I am guilty of that. Margrit Coates words have always stayed with me and I have always endeavoured to do best for my horses as we all do.

If anyone is interested the book is called Healing for Horses. Margrit relates to the reader moving case studies from her communication with horses, from horses she has helped in both their lives and into their deaths.

Amazing book....

 

[On the Hoof]

Totally agree with this. Twice now I have gone against ‘expert’ opinion , first time was when my good doer of a mare had ulcers - I was told that no way did she have these and she was just being a mare. Two years later I knew that something else was wrong but was told she was just lazy - I asked for back x rays and found arthritis in her spine . There were no clues other than that she couldn’t keep up with other horses on a hack , no behavioural issues or any physical signs. I listen to people’s opinions now but then make my decisions based on what I know about my horse.