Behaviour advice please!

[chestnutride]

I recently took my pony to our new yard. She's always good to do everything with, and is up to date with vaccinations and had a five-stage vetting a few months ago.
However recently when the farrier came out she had a full go at him for doing the back legs. The staff also mentioned she doesn't let anybody pick out her back feet. However, she has worn shoes all her life and this has never been a problem.

Another note, another pony kicked her and it swelled her shoulder, so we had the vet come out. She refused to let the vet touch her, and when trying to sedate her, had to have six people hold onto her before the vet could actually sedate. A week ago she had another check-up where we were going to have it scanned to check for any fractures.
She was so wary and strong as soon as the vet approached that it took 40 minutes to calm her down and the vet wasn't able to inject her at all. However she is fully up to date with vaccinations, and has had a full stage vetting with a vet she had never seen and was just fine.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what we can do or why this is happening?

EDIT - My daughter drafted this

 

[Tiddlypom]

Before anyone answers, please can you clarify whether this is the adult posting or the teenage daughter posting on your shared account?

 

[chestnutride]

Before anyone answers, please can you clarify whether this is the adult posting or the teenage daughter posting on your shared account?

of course, I am the adult replying however the actual post was drafted by my daughter

 

[CMcC]

Before anyone answers, please can you clarify whether this is the adult posting or the teenage daughter posting on your shared account?

Why does it matter? Post describes problems, asks for ideas. Seems straightforward to me.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would ask the vet for some Sedalin for you to administer before the vet/farrier appointments in future.
Have you asked the previous owner how they managed her?
You also need to be aware that some yards just don't suit some equines and that affects their behaviour.

 

[Equestrian Poet]

I am an old adult.......
If there is no medical reason, has anything changed in her daily routine from where she was to where she is? Has her feed changed, and if so to what? What hay is she being given? Most importantly is she being handled differently from what she is used to. If she has been good in the past it really sounds like she has a reason for acting in this manner. She may be trying to tell you something. As with the last comment.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Why does it matter? Post describes problems, asks for ideas. Seems straightforward to me.

There's been a bit of a muddle previously between the two personae sharing this one account. Personally, I do prefer to know if I'm replying to a child or directly to the adult.

OP has clarified that she's the adult, so that's all good.

OP, are you horsey? Are you around on the yard much?

It could be something as simple as a minor feed change. I posted recently about how 150 ml of alfalfa pellets added accidentally to my horse's breakfast sent her bonkers for 72 hours. I've owned her for 6 years and never known her like it before.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

There WILL be a reason for this, you've just got to find it!

It is either pain causing this, or management - or possibly both.

This has started since the move to the new yard, yes?? And she's obviously been fine till the move, yes?? So there may well be a trigger because of the move.

What pasture is she on? Is it richer than she was on before? Coz that would be enough if the pasture is rich and got lots of sugar in it. That can make ponies absolutely evil (does with my pony mare, just a tiny little bit extra can turn her into a witch).

What is her routine? and what (if any) hard feed is she having? Is anyone feeding her carrots at the yard without you knowing about it? (or anything else? It happens at yards). Again, carrots (Beta Carotene) can make ponies really vile - happened to mine after only a few carrots to do her physio "carrot stretches" and she was just horrible! Luckily I realised why!

When did you last have her back/teeth/saddle checked??

Is she currently in season?

Who are her field-companions at the new yard?

And....... dare I even say this, but are you confident she is being treated well and kindly at all times on this yard?? Unfortunately abuse does happen at some yards and owners are often blissfully unaware of what is going on.

Sorry lots of questions. But this is what you will need to do to try and unravel this mystery.

Hope you find the answers you need. There WILL be something, I am certain of it. Ponies don't change character/temperament without good reason - your problem is you just need to find out why!

Good luck.

 

[babymare]

I would be asking a number of questions-
has the move upset her
Is it the grazing
Is she in herd grazing being bullied
How are staff/other liveries treating her
But most important is there something medical/ pain behind this. My mare one day throw her head back putting reins over head. First thoughts was someone hitting her but of course called vet as well. She was going blind and no sight in her lower eyes.
As said above there is always a reason and you have to dig away to find the reason.

 

[Wizpop]

As she was showing objection with your farrier, to having hind
legs handled, I’d be thinking of starting with a full lameness work up from a good equine vet. Bilateral hind limb lameness can be easily missed.

 

[Wishfilly]

Is the pony new to you? I'm just asking as you mention the vetting.

If so, has she been shod with you before? Was this the first time shoeing at the new yard? Could it be something like being hot shod when she has always been cold shod? Or being shod in an enclosed space whereas before she's been done outside? Was this shoeing prior to or after the kick?

Reluctance to do her back feet does suggest maybe some pain BUT also if staff are letting her get away with not having her back feet done, this may be teaching her bad habits?

The stuff around the vet, I would be less concerned about- she was obviously in pain on the first occasion, and so that explains more extreme behaviour. It's likely she now associates the vet/that vet with the pain, hence being difficult for the vet. I agree with the poster who said in future it may help to give oral sedation before the vet arrives.

ETA: If her behaviour has changed more generally, given the kick in the field, I'd be concerned she was being bullied in the herd. This may well be really upsetting and unsettling her.

 

[SO1]

Possibly pain related if she is unwilling to have back feet picked out and not happy with the farrier and this is new behaviour that she has not exhibited before.

How old is the pony?

Sedation with sedalin tube next time before vet or perhaps asking a different member of the vet team to come next time so she doesn't recognise them.

Could she also be in season and that making her act differently.

 

[J&S]

How old is the pony? If she is an older pony it could be that she has become a bit stiff in her hocks and if the yard stafff or farrier are hoiking up her hind legs too high I know that this can cause quite extreme behaviour.. Just a thought.