Arghhhh he did it, he pulled away and *****ed off in the dark

Horsekaren said:
At the moment no he isnt, two months ago he was!
Im not having any fun :( i feel guilty working him if he has ulcers, he needs to be worked as he is a happy horse when worked at least 3 times a week.
i know he is poorly and needs to be treated,
i know he is taking the piss and being damn right rude... because of pain ? or lack of respect , bot i imagine.
i wish i could have the horse back he was in summer, winter is not fun.

but at the moment i have no choice, i cant sell him, who would buy a sick horse that is barging off? I have no where to turn i just need to try and get on top of it for his sake.

He has gone from being a perfect pony, a pleasure to ride, to be around, to lead... everything about 2 months ago to a living nightmare
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Don't work him with the ulcers, it won't do either of you any good.

I have to say OP I would not be happy with your vet at all, If the Horse tested positive for ulcers a few days ago then treatment should've began then. My Horse went from being an angel for 5 years to making my life hell for a year, it turned out she was in pain (found out quite quick and spent the year trying various things) But I have got my girl back now (albeit she can't be ridden!) so get the vet ASAP to start treating the ulcers, Feed him hay before he goes out so he isn't too hungry to come in. I also read that his dinner is waiting in the stable for him? remove this. He does not get a reward for tanking off. Pop him in the stable for a good 15-20 mins before giving food. He will soon learn that food is not waiting for him. Then when you get on top of the pain, start riding again.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Maybe polite behaviour generalises for some horses from one situation to another but not for all. And it sounds like the OP did lots and lots of work on general manners when being led anyway. What is lacking is the ability to say NO effectively when the horse ignores what he knows
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I agree with this, I have a very polite and well mannered cob, he deserves a knighthood and is practically a saint however the same saintly cob has to be led in a bridle if we go anywhere exciting. I have been dragged backwards off the horse box, been grass skiing and then the final straw was him standing on my head after a days hunting (luckily i had my hat on) and then I vowed never again (nothing more embarrassing than yours being the "LOOSE HORSE"). The adrenaline makes him lose all of his inhibitions and after trying once in a bridle, realised was no fun anymore and stopped. Tried back in a headcollar and same problem so now I stick with the bridle and he doesn't even try to pull, just goes back to the saintly cob so this is just what I do, it's kinder and safer for both of us and everyone else around! Pick your battles OP, if he leads politely in a bridle then just do that IMO!
 
Horsekaren said:
At the moment no he isnt, two months ago he was!
Im not having any fun :( i feel guilty working him if he has ulcers, he needs to be worked as he is a happy horse when worked at least 3 times a week.
i know he is poorly and needs to be treated,
i know he is taking the piss and being damn right rude... because of pain ? or lack of respect , bot i imagine.
i wish i could have the horse back he was in summer, winter is not fun.

but at the moment i have no choice, i cant sell him, who would buy a sick horse that is barging off? I have no where to turn i just need to try and get on top of it for his sake.

He has gone from being a perfect pony, a pleasure to ride, to be around, to lead... everything about 2 months ago to a living nightmare
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I hope when you get his ulcers sorted that he will be well behaved again but I'd noticed from your posts that as far back as April you'd been having problems with him and that you said you were nervous of him and that you had difficulty leading him, hence my post.
 
LaurenBay said:
I have to say OP I would not be happy with your vet at all, If the Horse tested positive for ulcers a few days ago then treatment should've began then.
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The horse tested positive for hindgut ulcers, and needs a treatment which has to be ordered form the manufacturer. How is that the vets fault?
 
Auslander said:
The horse tested positive for hindgut ulcers, and needs a treatment which has to be ordered form the manufacturer. How is that the vets fault?
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I don't think the vet supplied anything for the ulcers so the OP bought it off shelf, there seem to be 2 grades of Succeed one you can buy off shelf and the other seems to be a slightly better vet grade.

I think the vet was holding off prescribing anything until all bloods were back, now the vet seems to having a day off and the OP was expecting the results either yesterday or today

Maybe the results came back good and the vet has put contacting the OP as none urgent. My vet would contact me day off or not and will pop by on a Saturday if I need anything and is passing by other vets act differently
 
I do feel for the OP. It's no good people going on about how good their horses are and they can lead them out by a single strand of a spider's web etc. This is irrelevant to the OP's dilemma. Most horses, with skill, patience, experience and correct training can be trained to behave impeccably. Some horses just naturally behave impeccably, but there are a small proportion of horses that challenge even the most experienced and skilled horse person, let alone a novice. I have decades of experience and have cared for umpteen horses. However, one that comes to mind as behaving exactly like the OP's for his novice owners, was also a traditional cob gelding. People often get them because they think they will be quiet, and safe, when they can actually be extremely challenging if you get an assertive and clever one.
 
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OP-try not to get too bogged down in "naughtiness", "disrespect" and "taking the piss" I find it all gets too emotional if you are thinking those terms. Keep it simple... he's doing something that works for him (gets him to his tea quicker by the sounds of it)... stop it working. Lots of practical advice given already on how you might go about doing that but that in essence is it. Stop the behaviour you don't want working for him.

He's also in pain which needs sorting asap but you're on to that apparently. Itll be easier to sort out when you can work him. If he was being led in a bridle at his previous home it sounds like the bogging off behaviour may have been a successful strategy for him for a while (rather than 100% related to the pain), so it may take time to overcome but if a bridle works then just lead him in a bridle.
 
Hi i haven't read everything so far but just wanted to add something quickly.

Is there anyway you can give him his feed once in the stable, i have known a couple of horses who when they learn that dinner is waiting in the stable become difficult to lead and try to charge off/tow you in to the stable, it's much better if he comes in and waits a bit, then sometimes he is worked and gets dinner other times he gets dinner, but i would bring in first do things you need to do and then feed.

I agree that a lot of this is probably not being helped by ulcers if he has them and as i have followed the recent stuff you have put, i would be seeking another vet, an equine specialist if they are not already or a different vet/practice if they are, as they don't seem to be in any rush to help/treat at all.
 
I don't know if TheresaW has read this, or replied already, but I sold her a little **** of a pony who took off when he felt like it. I am experienced, and no walkover, and he had me face down in the muck a time or too. I don't know if he still does it but he knew that he was stronger than me and one moment of not paying attention and the litle booger was off.
 
Cecile said:
I don't think the vet supplied anything for the ulcers so the OP bought it off shelf, there seem to be 2 grades of Succeed one you can buy off shelf and the other seems to be a slightly better vet grade.

I think the vet was holding off prescribing anything until all bloods were back, now the vet seems to having a day off and the OP was expecting the results either yesterday or today

Maybe the results came back good and the vet has put contacting the OP as none urgent. My vet would contact me day off or not and will pop by on a Saturday if I need anything and is passing by other vets act differently
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Off shelf succeed supliment started today, thanks for the shove , I'm sick of waiting around! Vet is going to get a stern call tomorrow.
And he lead in lovely in his bridle a few reminders that I was setting the pace:)
Yard owner happened to be there in the dark which is unusual meant to be. She walked back with us. Hopfully this is the start of the turn around!

Thanks so much everyone !
All advice taken and mulled over all day! Felt a lot more secure with his bridle .
Hopfully onwards and upwards 😁
 
We bought a 20 yr old Shire/ID who topped 17.2 in height and width. He had 20 years of practise at being rude - he'd barge out of doors, trample you, pull away, shove you over. I was a 7 stone length of string at the time and I needed to get on top of his behaviour immediately. I wasn't nice to him and yes, I hurt him a couple of times - a sharp slap across the chest with a schooling whip and an angry growl if he deemed it acceptable to shove through a half opened door with me behind it, and a hard sharp tug on a bit with a growl if he decided he wanted to try and pull away on his way in or out of the field/stable. He soon decided that perhaps it was in his best interests to be polite. My other horse often reprimanded him with an almighty bite or a kick so I figured that in comparison, my feeble attempts at control wouldn't make him cry too much. A horse can't be allowed to just walk all over you - they are too big and potentially too dangerous. He will respect you far more if you assume the role of his leader.
 
Horsekaren said:
Off shelf succeed supliment started today, thanks for the shove , I'm sick of waiting around! Vet is going to get a stern call tomorrow.
And he lead in lovely in his bridle a few reminders that I was setting the pace:)
Yard owner happened to be there in the dark which is unusual meant to be. She walked back with us. Hopfully this is the start of the turn around!

Thanks so much everyone !
All advice taken and mulled over all day! Felt a lot more secure with his bridle .
Hopfully onwards and upwards ��
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That's excellent! The more using the bridle works, the more confidence you will get and the better you will feel about things.

Just for the record - 50+ yrs of horse-owning, in multiples, and we had a rodeo when I put our 3 out at lunchtime!
 
I would put a bridle on him and have the pocket of my coat full of carrot slices and treats. Before you put the bridle give him a treat and make sure he knows there are others there. Give him treats at very frequent intervals as you're walking. I had one that could be very difficult to lead and this always helped to keep her attention on me. This will helpfully get you through the next few days until you get help. As they get better behaved you make the intervals between treats longer.
 
I am not experienced enough to give good advice but I agree with the poster that said don't make it personal. it doesn't help. I have had my mare 10 years and this summer she decided she was staying out. she has done this occasionally before but I usually win but this went on for months. I believe somethinng was wrong initially then she found it was a good game. I found a long rope and sending her away to "lunge" worked but she was trying to run into me to get away rather than dragging if that makes sense. Its so hard to eliminate it all. good luck
 
and another successful morning :D

Trainer is coming tomorrow, i'm going to ask to work on manors, obviously we are having issues leading but i know if we just lead him to and from the field with new people he will just do as he is asked. I want to be ready with an idea of how to work on these issues as i don't want to waist the hour. What sort of ground work ideas would you expect to do to help tackle the issue? i will obviously work with her suggestions but just want to have a few ideas of my own.

My boy hasnt been ridden or worked for 11 days now, i really do feel he would benefit from a good lunge to let off some steam and as a reminder that i am in charge. would this be acceptable for a horse that is suffering with gut issues/ ulcers? i would feed and hay before to stop the acid and would run him ragged, he runs about in the field so is it to different from that? WWYD?
 
glad you've posted the update was thinking of you earlier when I was doing my horses. I'd give him some hay and let him have a blast. Do him the world of good and settle his mind. Well done so far x
 
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Auslander said:
The horse tested positive for hindgut ulcers, and needs a treatment which has to be ordered form the manufacturer. How is that the vets fault?
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But if you read the other thread the horse didn't test positive for ulcers. <sigh> ever wonder why we bother with some of these threads ;)
 
If your vet is suggesting steroids for any length of time, for a largely undiagnosed condition, then they must think that you have VERY deep pockets! Your vet may have the horses best interests at heart, howevr they may also be taking your money for nothing. Given the cost of steroids and the possible side effects, they would not be my first line treatment for an indeterminate condition.
 
OP has been getting a lot of helpful advice on about leading her horse since her first post on HHO back in March.

Hi,
I am really keen to hear some advice on how to cope with a horse that occasionally pulls away when being led. I have only had him for 2 weeks and he seems to be settling in well, he seems very gentle but he can be very strong and pull away when being led.
I have been wrapping the rope of the head collar around his nose and that has helped, I walk at his shoulder and hold the rope under his chin which has also helped.
I have purchased a Dually Head Collar for him but I am hoping to train this out of him.
He seems to be more pully when there is another horse around being lead, at night I cannot leave the last horse in the field alone so ideally I need to be able to lead my horse and the other horse (who has impeccable ground manners)


Do you have any advise or tips on how I can train this out of him? I am new to horse ownership and am nervous and every time he pulls away I feel my confidence hit the ground. He has so much potential and I really want to sort this issue out. He is an 8 Year old 16H cob.


Thanks!!!!!
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ETA http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...00-Horse-pulling-away&p=13503248#post13503248
 
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Horsekaren said:
and another successful morning :D

Trainer is coming tomorrow, i'm going to ask to work on manors, obviously we are having issues leading but i know if we just lead him to and from the field with new people he will just do as he is asked. I want to be ready with an idea of how to work on these issues as i don't want to waist the hour. What sort of ground work ideas would you expect to do to help tackle the issue? i will obviously work with her suggestions but just want to have a few ideas of my own.

WWYD?
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If you are paying a professional instructor to come and help you with your horse I would just listen and do what they suggest. I dont think posting on a forum 'to get some ideas of your own' is a good idea. Trust your trainer, or there really isnt much point in paying for one.
 
Horsekaren said:
My boy hasnt been ridden or worked for 11 days now, i really do feel he would benefit from a good lunge to let off some steam and as a reminder that i am in charge. would this be acceptable for a horse that is suffering with gut issues/ ulcers? i would feed and hay before to stop the acid and would run him ragged, he runs about in the field so is it to different from that? WWYD?
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I wouldn't run anything "ragged" on the lunge. There is a vast difference between having a hoon about the field and being kept on a circle whilst they have a funny 5, and IMO the pressure on the tendons and joints just isn't worth it. By all means have a lunging session, but I would go into it thinking lots of transitions to get the horse really listening rather than thinking "this'll teach him I'm in charge". Apologies as I've only been loosely following your threads but is there a reason why he's not being ridden at the moment? M has been treated for ulcers over the last few months and I don't think he's ever had time off during it as my vet felt it was important to keep his routine to avoid further stress (he is a fit competition horse though, so very much used to being worked most days). We just gave him bute and muscle relaxants at the start to help him relearn to use his back correctly whilst minimising any pain he was in and then my trainer helped rehab him to speed up the learning process.

Chianti said:
I would put a bridle on him and have the pocket of my coat full of carrot slices and treats. Before you put the bridle give him a treat and make sure he knows there are others there. Give him treats at very frequent intervals as you're walking. I had one that could be very difficult to lead and this always helped to keep her attention on me. This will helpfully get you through the next few days until you get help. As they get better behaved you make the intervals between treats longer.
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I'm not sure this is the best advice to give for an already bargy cob. I'd forget treats and just keep going with the bridle as this sounds like what he responds best to.

stormox said:
If you are paying a professional instructor to come and help you with your horse I would just listen and do what they suggest. I dont think posting on a forum 'to get some ideas of your own' is a good idea. Trust your trainer, or there really isnt much point in paying for one.
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This 100%. You need to find professionals you trust and use them as your sounding board. They'll be much better placed to advise, having seen your horse on the ground. This forum is an invaluable source of advice, but nothing takes the place of eyes on the ground.
 
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