Bringing a horse back into work... problems...

[madiz123]

OK, so she has been a bit on and off for the last 10 months due to gap year trips and my youngster (who I have just sold to a lovely home - lucky bugger).

She is a 11yo argy polo pony - she is very forward going but never never never rears/bucks/kicks etc

I have just started riding her regularly. When I tie her up she shakes and then when I ride her out she still shakes, and is really anxious and wants to run the whole time. She isn't spooky just restless - she is better when we ride out with our other polo pony, Aviador who acts as if butter wouldn't melt. But she still gets really wound up, spinning and cantering at a walking pace. Its as if the adrenaline gets pumping really early.

My plan of action if to take her out on lots of gentle rides and try to do lots of slow canter work.

Does anyone know what is going on in her head? Any more suggestions as to what i can do to help her?

Thanks Izzy x

 

[Booboos]

Doesn't sound like a physical problem, but it's still worth making sure teeth, back, saddle are not causing pain.

A magnesium supplement works well with some horses (I use Cool Calm and Collected by Equifeast), or perhaps she is in season and you can try one of the products designed specifically for mares?

Other than that it just sounds like exhitement from being back out in the big, wide world! She may be a bit calmer if you can get straight on and do a bit of trotting rather than trying to hold her back in walk, but I can't think of anything else, sorry!

 

[madiz123]

I will have a crack with the magnesium stuff. And the trotting idea sound good! I think its just gonna have to be a bumpy ride until she gets it out of her system.