Belle Update *sigh* Vid and pics

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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I haven't done much with Belle since Thursday (when she had her great panic, wouldn't let me get on and I had to untack her and let her go ASAP because she was so stressed) as I couldn't face it.

Today I went to try again, knowing that it was still a bit windy (but not so bad) and that she could well be in season. She trotted over to me which is weird... she never does that. Caught her fine and tied her up like usual, hoping that Thursday was just a one off. Turned around to pick up a brush and made a tiny sound, she shot backwards and began running up and down the fence in a total panic again. :( This time I calmed her back down, tied her again (which is my usual practice, she used to break free all the time when we first got her as she panicked but we had pretty much fixed this until Thursday). She was obviously a bit jittery so I thought I'd just give her a little brush and pick out her feet and leave it at that for today. Got two feet picked out before she jumped back at another noise. :(

She just seemed in such a desperate panic to get over the fence into the field again with her playmate, who was standing nearby so not out of sight, and I was worried that she would jump the fence as she looked that upset. I let her out the gate and once again, she just shot off like a wild thing and was leaping about. She is obviously in season as she was running to the fence to see the boy ponies in the paddock, putting her tail in the air, but she was just this lively on Thursday when she was not in season (or so it appeared).

After 5 or 10 mins when she had calmed down, she approached me and my mum and was really affectionate and sweet. It's just so strange and I don't understand. I know I need to do groundwork with her but I feel stumped about that now too when I can't even brush her anymore. I just don't know what can be setting her off, surely it can't just be the wind? Anyway, will definitely be looking into professional help now and will make a topic to ask for suggestions. Hugs and sympathy most welcome, chocolate and jelly tots all around. :(

Vid of her going mad in field (not great quality):



Pics like this make me not want to give up... her being affectionate with my Mum:

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((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) Poor you. It is very strange she has started doing this all of a sudden. professional help deff sounds like a good idea. I think she needs re assuring again as something has upset her. I would prob get the vet to check her out. Where i used to work we had a very strange mare she would be lovley and sweet one minuet then trying to kill you the next and riding her was always a challange. I was convinced she had something wrong with her eyes but her owner would not get it checked out. Just a thought but might be worth checking out.
I hope you get her sorted and are back on track soon. She is such a bueatiful mare.
 
Is there anyway you could put her on Magic or another magnesium based product, just because then if it is her being a stress head, then it will take the edge of her? Do agree with getting proffesional help, but in the mean time, a supplement may just take the edge off her, and allow her to be calmer?
 
We have been trying her on 'Stroppy Mare' as she does seem to be a bit mad in season anyway. Obviously isn't doing much though! Perhaps a calmer would be a good idea, just hadn't really thought about it before when we had come so far. Before Thursday we had 3 great riding lessons in a row when she was groomed, tacked up and ridden up the road with no probs, had a great lesson and great to come home again. I just can't see why she is suddenly so loopy.

Laura - I think if she doesn't calm down then yes, a vet would be a good idea. I was thinking that today. It's just so odd when there's nothing in particular which seems to be setting her off and it certainly seems more like panic than naughtiness (until she is let back into the field).
 
Nothing seemed to set Atlanta off either i would be leading her out to the field and suddenly she would rear up over my head and take off. I had no choice but to let go. She would charge around for a bit and as suddenly as it started she would be calm again. She was the same to ride (noone else would ride her). It was all very strange. A calmer may be worth a try. It can't hurt anyway. Good luck i hope you get her sorted soon.
 
I think it's unlikely to be the same.... but my mare changed overnight too. Literally in the space of a week we had gone from cantering, jumping, long hacks etc until the point where I couldn't make her move without her rodeoing. sShe would kick out if you touched her sides, and would try and launch you if you put your leg on. Anyway, vet saw her etc, and she was put on regumate a week ago. Wow magic drug! Has changed her back to normal pretty much. If you think it's season related, then definately talk to your vet about it... but sounds more like she has been spooked by something? I would definately get the help of a good instructor- I don't know where I would be without mine!
 
Thanks Coffee_Bean, we'd been really progressing up to this point! When my instructor is back from her holiday then I think I'll get her to come down and give an opinion, especially as she already knows Belle and what she's like. Then we can chat to the vet about things like Regumate if necessary and consider professional advice for handling. It does seem more like something has freaked her out a bit though.

Thanks a lot for your help (and thank you to the others as well). :)
 
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