boats
Member
I have an ISH turned out 24/7. He worked hard last year doing low level eventing and rc shows and then had a long break, with shoes off, over winter and came back into work late jan with mainly hacking and canter fitness work, to get him in shape for hunter trials.
He has always been a horse who doesn't like being groomed or fussed over, but his behaviour changed over the last few months and he tries to seriously bite if you touch his stomach, rug him and even put headcollars on now. He is a gent of a horse so this is completely out of character. Saddle is a good saddle, fitted by a proper fitter, his teeth and back have been done and hes been checked by vets and physios, had bloods run, wormer checked etc. He is quite an introverted, worrier horse, who is boss in the field so it isn't a case of him getting kicked by others. Generally, he is impossible to keep weight on and doesn't seem to build muscle, even doing tons of low and low and lunging over poles etc. He finds canter tricky due to his conformation, but his work attitude is great and he has been working well. He is out 24/7 and fed twice a day with baileys endurance mix, which has outshine included in it, copra and beet pulp along with a splash of oil. I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what is causing the biting as its so out of character. Vet doesn't think its ulcers as nothing in his management system would suggest it.
has anyone ever experienced anything similar? its baffling me as my other lad has the exact same lifestyle and is an poor doer exracer and he is in great shape. it doesn't make sense at all. If anyone had any ideas i'd be really greatful!
He has always been a horse who doesn't like being groomed or fussed over, but his behaviour changed over the last few months and he tries to seriously bite if you touch his stomach, rug him and even put headcollars on now. He is a gent of a horse so this is completely out of character. Saddle is a good saddle, fitted by a proper fitter, his teeth and back have been done and hes been checked by vets and physios, had bloods run, wormer checked etc. He is quite an introverted, worrier horse, who is boss in the field so it isn't a case of him getting kicked by others. Generally, he is impossible to keep weight on and doesn't seem to build muscle, even doing tons of low and low and lunging over poles etc. He finds canter tricky due to his conformation, but his work attitude is great and he has been working well. He is out 24/7 and fed twice a day with baileys endurance mix, which has outshine included in it, copra and beet pulp along with a splash of oil. I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what is causing the biting as its so out of character. Vet doesn't think its ulcers as nothing in his management system would suggest it.
has anyone ever experienced anything similar? its baffling me as my other lad has the exact same lifestyle and is an poor doer exracer and he is in great shape. it doesn't make sense at all. If anyone had any ideas i'd be really greatful!