Bronking Help Needed!

[Pies mummy]

I've a new horse, owned since November 2013, she was a bombproof hack however she's recently been spooked twice causing her to bronk. Since then she has been very nervy to handle. Both times she's been very sharp and flung me off, second time was on the road. I need to get the situation under control. Anybody had the same issue please?

 

[STRIKER]

Spring grass, seasonal mare, feed magnesium, could also feed D&H stroppy mare

 

[Pies mummy]

Thank you, am currently giving her epson salts as I thought the same, magnesium deficiency. Few days in and no change, still on red alert constantly bless her. Can't believe in 1 month how her personality seems to have changed so much

 

[HeresHoping]

Statutory HHO response - and not without reason: Have you had back, teeth and saddle checked? Have you recently changed her food? Has this started since the onset of spring grass?

Bronking can be a reaction to pain as well as fright. And if she causes a twinge during a spook, it could be a reaction to that, too. You say she remains nervy - this could well be a pain reaction, too. Once you have ruled out any potential pain issues, you can start addressing the behaviour.

I would also add a note of caution with regards to feeding magnesium. Although it is an element which should be excreted if there is an excess, there are many, many, many anecdotes (yes, I know the plural of anecdote is not evidence but there are many, many anecdotes) to suggest that over-feeding Mg can result in lunacy. I wrote one of those anecdotes. I had a TB that started the bronking expo (a few posts on here about it). Fed Mg on recommendation and for two weeks had to wear full body armour to take him to the field. BUT he had kissing spines (mild ones). We started rehab but found he'd also bust his pelvis once upon a time and it never healed properly. Sorry, you probably don't want the worst case scenario, but please bear it in mind.

 

[Shay]

Ditto teeth, back & tack. Standard response for a good reason.

Might there also be an element of "new pony horrors"? A little late -perhaps, but it should like she has scared herself and might not have enough confidence in you to get herself back on track. If there is no pain issues perhaps a good instructor to help with any confidence issues? And someone she trusts to hack with? (horse - not human!!)

I'm not sure I'd jump to the calmer / stroppy care type response unless you really have evidence this is the case. If it were Mag deficiency you would have seen this behavior before now. If she is in season you'd see evidences of that too.

 

[Pies mummy]

Yes it's started since the onset of spring grass. I immediatley got the vet out to check about her being in pain. He prescribed a week of bute but again this had no effect. I've recently had her saddle checked, teeth have been done beginning of the year. I take onboard your comments re magnesium, thank you. I'm not riding her atm as don't want to risk another fall. Instead lunging and long reining. When I say nervy I mean she's jumpy and spooking at things she wouldn't normally bother about, if you stand on a twig she'll leap 6ft side ways, normally not fussed about traffic but is now, that kind of thing.

 

[Shay]

If you really want to go down the calmer route what about valerian? It works. It isn't competition legal - but it doesn't sound like you are up to competing just now anyway. If it is spring madness then it will wear off in a couple of weeks. It can make them hard to catch - they don't want to leave the grass. is that the case with her? Also sounds like you have lost confidence - entirely understandable and happens to absolutely all of us at some time or another. A good instructor you trust can help.

 

[Pies mummy]

Thanks Shay, you might have a point about confidence! Think we've both lost confidence atm. Once I've explored all avenues I may well get somebody different to ride her. She's been in season once so far. I'm no expert in Mares as I've only own geldings before. Could this be a girl thing?

 

[Pies mummy]

I've not heard of valerian? No she's just a hacking pony/in hand showing that's all.

 

[smja]

Yes it's started since the onset of spring grass.

Here's your answer, I reckon. Mine is normally pretty good, but he's been a bit of a tit about spooking at nothing for the past couple of weeks. Either up the work to ride through it, or wait it out - they should calm down again soon! Giving them some time off the grass can also help.

 

[Pies mummy]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one!!!! yes being a tit just about sums it up atm!

 

[Goldenstar]

Horses who use spooking as an excuse to bronc are very difficult and hard on the confidence .
When she broncs does she get her head right down.
If so what you need to do is to be really quick to keep the head up when anything happens .
My young horse had one spectacular bronc attack I changed the bit to something very difficult to lean on and quite strong so he knows yanking forward and down is not an easy option it's solved the problem with him .
Valerian tincture works very very well on some .
And some horse react negatively to magnesium ( my friend owns one who is a monster if given magnesium ).

 

[Pies mummy]

She doesn't get her head down really, she's just incredibly sharp, quick buck and rear and ping I'm kissing the ground. It's annoying last horse I had was a crackers youngster, he never had me off, but this little 14 year old monkey just knows how to evict me! The vet has said try magnesium for a week, then he'll look at blood tests etc. But looking at the responses on here so far am starting to think it's a grass/confidence/she's taking the pee kind of thing!

 

[smja]

Even though I still think it's likely to be the grass, remember that none of us have seen your horse, and the vet has. Maybe worth a phone call to chat things over with them?

Could it be your reaction to spooking that's setting off the bronc, maybe unconsciously tightening the rein or something? It's still a pretty extreme reaction, tbf!

 

[Brightbay]

It's very unlikely to be the horse just trying to annoy you, if she's been well behaved up until now.
I would look closely at what's changed over the last few weeks. Spring grass (or at least, a change from a diet of hay plus winter grass to a diet of no hay/all spring grass) can upset the gut - have you done the hind gut problems rule of thumb test? Gently (you don't have to poke) and carefully (bearing in mind your horse may protest), run your finger along their side from elbow towards stifle. As you pass the end of the ribcage, if there's hindgut discomfort you may get a reaction. Try both sides (different areas of the hindgut are affected differently so it's worth checking).
Epsom Salts are quite laxative if the gut is upset? Might be worth trying magnesium oxide or magnesium chloride as gentler options.
Here's a video of the gut test... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVAFm87qvDw&feature=share if positive, you might be better trying Brewer's Yeast or Yea-Sacc rather than MagOx to help settle things

 

[Pies mummy]

Thank you I hadn't though of hind gut issue, I'll take a look at the video now

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I had a very sensible ID mare who started spooking and eventually bucked me off twice on the road as traffic was passing. I got a back specialist vet out and realised that it was the noise that she was reacting to, the musce pain in her back must have been giving her a headache. The same vet and the sadder had been shortly before and found all was well. Not really sure what caused the original muscle injury BUT I have always suspected that a glucosamine supplement was somehow involved, as she was started on it just after the first vet check.

I would get a 2nd opinion on both back and saddle.
Having said though, one of the most sensible, unflappable horses I have ever met was as mad as a hatter just last weekend and I put it down to the Spring grass.

 

[Mince Pie]

I'd be thinking grass as well. I have a little cob who is so sensible normally, however I'm told he tried to buck his young sharer off last week and he has been a lot sharper than normal (too much effort usually!). If she's still the same in a few weeks when it all settles down then by all means run bloods etc

 

[Pies mummy]

Thank you, that's really good to know fingers crossed the problem goes away in a few weeks!