At my wits' end. Please help!

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TakeAChance

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My lovely young ISH has been coming along leaps and bounds and making huge progress in all areas until 3 weeks ago .....

He suddenly decided he didn't like cantering and no end of trying could convince him to canter, he'd really back off and try all sorts of evasion tactics like bucking or just grinding to a very stubborn halt. Within a few days he had the same opinion about trotting.

I had his saddle, teeth and back all checked last week and there are no problems. I gave him last week off and just lunged lightly. He looks fine on the lunge, nice and lose across his back, tracking up well etc. He's lazy and needs the whip behind him to keep him going, but I can't see any physical/mechanical problems.

I rode yesterday and he was fine, no issues in going forward at all, but today we're back to square one; he just flatly refuses to go faster than a walk and even that takes a huge amount of seat and leg aids.

I just don't know what to try next. I'm convinced there must be something wrong for him to suddenly decide he can't work like before because normally he's so eager to please, but all the usual checks have come back fine.

Can anyone shed any light on this problem. I'm feeling really demoralised and like I just want to give up :confused:
 
I think you need to give a lot more detail, like how young, who broke him and when, how long has he been back in work, how much has be been doing, what he has been doing, how is he out hacking, how much experience do you have with young horses, or any horses.how much work how much grazing, is he stabled, does he have company.............
what is he fed, how strong is he how does he behave generally.
 
MrsD123 said:
I think you need to give a lot more detail, like how young, who broke him and when, how long has he been back in work, how much has be been doing, what he has been doing, how is he out hacking, how much experience do you have with young horses, or any horses.how much work how much grazing, is he stabled, does he have company.............
what is he fed, how strong is he how does he behave generally.
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Agree with this^^^

If however it's all good, teeth, back etc all checked and up to date then I'd be inclined to go out for a few hacks in company to see if that wakes him up a bit.

I'd also look into him having a rest for abit, a month or so.

And if doesn't get any better I'd also look in to getting bloods done by the vet, as maybe lacking in something or a virus is brewing.

When was the last time his saddle was checked? Young horses can change shape very quickly and it maybe pinching
 
Did you get his saddle checked? If he has been doing well and working, then his muscles will be developing and he will have changed shape, maybe enough to make his saddle pinch a bit and he will be protesting. Worth getting it checked.
Sorry just re read your post and you did already. It's just that we had one that went balistic when there was a small change in his shape and although his back seemed ok, it was only when he was under saddle with rider that he felt it.
 
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Agree with everything said so far, but, also, observe him when he's out in the field. Does he trot, canter, play, roll, fool about with his field mates. If he previously did these things and doesn't do them now, then you have got a problem. Otherwise it may be any of the things OPs have mentioned - or is he just fed up with the school. Take him hacking, or out on a Sponsored Ride, or try a bit of Le Trec. Something completely different. And get the saddle checked!
 
How much feed is he having, how much work are you doing with him, is he just finding it all a bit to much and needing a wee break ?
If its not a workload related and just having we tantrums about what you want him to do, Hack him with another horse then hack him some more, and some more after that.
He sounds to me from the limited info available so far like hes switching off to schooling at the moment, im sure its just baby issues youre having with him, find yourself a good knowledgable person/instructor with experience in youngsters to help you out if youre stuck.
If hes still a bit off, its worth getting him checked out by your vet to rule out any physical issues
 
Could you maybe try putting a video on here - if it is clearly either him taking the mick out of you, or clearly a pain issue I suspect someone might have a idea from the video.

But obviously a vet is probably the way to go if you can as you need to have your mind put at rest before you can progress.
 
I had my horse's back checked by vet, chiro and physio and all said there were absolutely no problems. Turns out he has kissing spine all the way along his back with almost every vertebra either touching or fused. He had no soreness at all on palpation. His only symptoms were refusal to canter and then later on, refusal to trot.
 
Thanks for your suggestions so far. He's 6 years old, was broken last year and turned away and then brought back in to work at the start of this year. I've had him for 3 months and am an experienced rider and also experienced in bringing on youngsters. He's slightly better out hacking, but still doesn't feel as forward as he used to. He's turned out diring the day and brought in at night. He has 2 companions who he gets on well with. He's generally a very happy, easy going boy which is why this has all come as quite a surprise.

Thanks for the video suggestion Canteron, I'll see what I can do when I'm at the yard later.
 
Im sure it is just baby issues, and dont want to worry you but get vet checked to rule out pain if not more willing to go forward soon.
You say he looks ok on the lunge but my warmblood behaved similarly to what you describe, i put it down to baby issues and tried to ride through it.
I got him checked out by my vet, he looked like he just had a lazy hind action, but when joint blocked was so evenly bi- laterally lame behind, he looked level.
X rays sowed degenerative joint direase, osteochondroitis dissecans and he was only 4
 
Wagtail said:
I had my horse's back checked by vet, chiro and physio and all said there were absolutely no problems. Turns out he has kissing spine all the way along his back with almost every vertebra either touching or fused. He had no soreness at all on palpation. His only symptoms were refusal to canter and then later on, refusal to trot.
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That's what's at the back of my mind Wagtail. I feel that there's something wrong and it's just being put down to nappiness by everyone I ask for advice :( Were you able to treat your horse? I hope everything turned out ok in the end.
 
TakeAChance said:
Yes, he had his vacc the week after it all started and I asked the vet to give him the once over then. He trotted up fine and vet said no back issues, just said he's being naughty.
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If you have a gut feeling that something isn't right then I would ask for a second opinion. You know your horse the best though..
 
Yes, get a second opinion. refusing to trot isn't normal. You could try taking him out to the beach/on lots of hacks. Is it only in the school he does it?
 
- saddle
- vet again

I'd probably not want to ride him much until he is happier because you don't want him to associate riding with pain if that is the issue. And if he just needs a rest, well, you'll be giving him one :-)

Using a whip when lunging would really worry me. Something as young as him should be hard to slow down/balance not being threatened with being hit to make it go forwards!

Trust your instincts.
 
I can think of four things you should look into...

1. He may be in pain because after his week off he may forget his pain because he hasn't been saddled and because you hadn't ridden him .When you got on again he started it - check the fit of his saddle.
Also, you said it is painful for him to canter - it may be because he has a paticular leg strain or joint problem . Get a vet to take a look at him

2. He may be scared of something - does he do this in a paticular place or does he just do it everywhere in scary surroundings.

3. Does he know you're really the boss - are you worried about it before he does?

4. He's just being plain naughty. Don't assume this is the case first - try riding in a different place and see if it still happens. Also ask someone else to get on him and see if he does it with them - then you'll know for sure.
 
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