Am I worrying over nothing?

L

Louby

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2005
Messages
6,591
Visit site
My horse is very spooky, always has been. Friend thinks he's that laid back that he almost nods off then suddenly sees something and spooks.
Posted on here the other week about his fear of a new leather headcollar! He ran over to me in the field, took one look or sniff of the headcollar and spooked and wouldnt let me near him until I dropped the headcollar but is always fine with a nylon one. Today he ran over and did the same with the nylon one. Is this just spring grass making him a bit over the top or do you think it could be his eyes. Friend thinks Im mad and always worrying.
blush.gif
 
Hard to say really. Doesn't sound like the typical sort of thing that would make me think 'eyesight', I have to say. Sounds more like 'bit of a twit'! Meant in the nicest possible way of course...
smile.gif
 
Mine have been v. spooky of late. Don't know if it's because they can hear the quads nearby that have just started again, or spring grass, or what it is. I am not worried though. He is fine in himself - just the same to ride. I wouldn't worry too much. Keep an eye on him by all means. (Thought of you today - went for a hack around Bewl Reservoir - hundreds of bikes passing us! By the end of the ride he was trotting & cantering past them and not batting an eyelid!)
grin.gif
 
My pony does the same, I can only catch him in *his* headcollar, anyone elses he runs a mile, even if I change the leadrope - he still runs a mile. I do wonder whether it a selective fear though!
 
Mine shy's all the time, I think a lot of it is about testing you, you just have to get on with it and work through it. Might not sound like good advice but look at it as a challenge rather than a problem - best of luck
 
Thanks, glad you dont think its his eyes. I felt a bit down about it all today as its one thing after another, what with his fractured leg, then removing the bone chip. Friend actually said he's an idiot, which I have to admit he is really.
LOL Natalie, that would have been my worse nightmare. Met a bike the other day on a very narrow path, fence one side, big drop to the river on the other. We asked the biker to stop and friend blocked him whilst I squoze past. I do think Jay takes the mickey though as he wasnt bothered at all. I was preparing to get wet!
Thanks for replying
 
You seriously have to hire a horsebox & come down my way! Then we can a) Try him in my Bateson to see how he copes. b) take him to Bewl Water - I guarantee that by the end of the 12.5 mile ride around it (yes I am knackered!) he will be so tired and have seen so many of the damn things that he will not bat an eyelid LOL!
laugh.gif
 
Maybe its just me but I can't see anything in Natalie H's reply that would convince you that there is nothing wrong with your horse's eyes. Why not get him checked out and make sure.
 
Sounds great, wish you were nearer.
Hey have I mentioned his trailer phobia too,
crazy.gif

LOL thats another story
grin.gif

Promise its not me, he really is one of a kind ..... honest
grin.gif
 
Thanks for replying.
Sorry read it again and it looks like Im just replying to Natalie. Reply was meant for both Sal E and Natalie, they made me feel a bit better about it. If it continues I will definately get him checked as I have wondered if his spookiness could be down to his eyes. He has always spooked from day one but his eyes were fine when he was vetted, I just thought the headcollar thing was a bit extreme.
 
I think that by all means she should have him checked - Just know that Louise has been through so much with him over the last 6 months that she is likely to be hyper-sensitive about anything like this, and with good reason. I also know that a lot of my friend's horses are being super-spooky at the moment and would hate for her to be really worried if it is nothing!
grin.gif
 
Thanks Natalie, really appreciate your help. I will get him checked if it continues, just asked on here incase anyone else had experienced similar.
Thanks again.
 
Some horse are just naturally anxious, even though that doesn't seem to be a popular view these days.

Funnily enough, I was just reading about a study on "genetic anxiety" this evening. It used pigs (I know, not horses, but close enough
wink.gif
) which were selectively bred out of specific lines. The pigs were tested by being taught to swim (!!) during which process they had their anxiety measured by charting their adrenaline levels. At first they all had very high levels but after a couple of sessions they divided into two groups. The one group got more and more relaxed about the process and showed decreased adrenaline with each swim. The other group - the "genetically anxious" group - continued to show high anxiety/adrenaline levels even after repeated swim sessions even as their actual skill level improved. (I have no idea how this was measured. Maybe they made them take Red Cross badges.) So basically the latter group got with the program but never really relaxed about it.

We all know there are horses that are naturally anxious. This doesn't mean they are anxious all the time or even that they look anxious all the time, it merely means they are more inclined to get upset and stay upset when stressed.

Duh.
smile.gif


(This is not to say that every horse shouldn't be taught to behave. Of course they should be. But not every horse is capable of the same level of general acceptance nor will they all need the same amount of time/exposure/effort/mangement to produce reasonable relaxation - expecting that is going to lead to trouble.)

Anyway, my point is that your horse may just be one of those types. So any little thing, even something totally unrelated to whatever situation he's in in that moment, might be winding him up enough that he seems generally tense. Spring grass, change in the weather, something new/different in his environment, health concerns . . . anything might be enough to make him generally more sensitive and likely to be set off.

If he'd never behaved like this before I think I'd be more worried. By all means, get his vision checked, it can't help. But from your post it sounds like he's a reactive horse anyway. Maybe he's just filled with the joys of spring and displaying it in the way that's most naturally "him".
 
My TB mare is like that. I bought a new water butt for her stable and she totally freaked out and then stood in the opposite corner shaking. It took a whole week for her to drink from it. Luckily she was out during the day so had access to water but after hacks I had to give her a bucket full.
In the end I didn't give her any water after a ride and she was so thirsty she had to use it. Of course she's fine about it now.

She also freaks out at any new markings on the road. They have been spraying arrows and dotted lines round bits of our local roads that need re tarmacking - horror of horrors! Lots of shying ensues so I have to keep on the lookout and apply my leg very swiftly!

She doesn't get any horse treats either cos she looks at me as if I am trying to poison her, although she will accept carrots and apples - funny animal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top