change in behaviour

[eahotson]

I have a 9 year old Highland of Combebank breeding. When I first bought him he was a laid back little soul, very quiet and steady albeit SLIGHTLY spooky but nothing too much.We had to change yards and did so about 5 months ago. After a few small settling in type things (on both our parts) all seemed to be well. However he has got spookier and sillier over approximately the last 6 to 7 weeks.About a month ago he came in spinning and screaming so much so that YO/Instructor told me she would come and tack him up. I was suposed to have a lesson but he was so tense that she rode him for most of it.He had had a week off work (albeit with 24/7 turnout which he has had all summer) so I decided MORE WORK. I have made efforts to give him more myself and have enlisted the help of a sharer who is both competent and confident! Also instructor rides him a couple of timesa month as well to help with his schooling.All seemed to be well and he returned to being the kind quiet little cob I had bought! Friday as quiet as a lamb. Saturday (sharers day) so I heard this a.m so bad that Y.O rode him (she is my sharers cousin) and even when he was dripping with sweat still spinning and dancing so much so that he jumped onto sharers foot and has broken a bone bless!!!!I tried to ride him in the school in a small group this a.m and couldn't but I haveridden him in company many times (albeit not in this yard) with no trouble at all. The only things I can think are 1) strip grazing, Is the grazing too rich for him! 2)He has a VERY small feed but its mixed with molassed mollichop which some people say CAN be heating.3) bit of tooing and frowing with different horses 4) Think YO had started to give him a bit extra feed, perhaps meaning to be kind as she said something about this but only vaguely. He has started to nap as well but not with me as I only ride in theschool but I do lunge outside of it. Any comments.

 

[amzy]

Have any new horses arrived in the last few weeks? My gelding turned from a placid thing into a raving lunatic when a new mare was put in the field. I couldn't even lead him anywhere or do anything with him as he became spooky, vocal and bargy. The mare has now gone and he is a little lamb again.

 

[cobden99]

Hmm thats a good point, my filly has come into season (for the first noticeable time) - and my gelding has turned into a monster ! He nearly ran me over in hand, was completely inattentive and obsessed with getting back to her. Completely out of character, they have been together since she was a yearling and nothing like this before. He has always more or less ignored her and stuck to his miniature sidekick. Women !!

What exactly do you mean by to-ing and fro-ing with other horses - has the company he keeps changed frequently ?
Is he still out 24/7 ?

It sounds quite out of character for a Highland, I have had a couple and they were very placid. I would check out the diet angle as well and find out from your YO exactly what he is getting.

 

[Louby]

My horse has changed a lot this season. Hes normally a laid back but spooky horse, friend thinks he dozes and then spooks irrationally as hes half awake but its getting worse, hes just so irrational and just doesnt get over what ever has scared him.
He used to play constantly with his mate which must have used up lots of his negative energy but it was getting dangerous and after fracturing his leg in the field he is now in the same field but seperated with electric fencing, so he is on his own. I do feel for him but he may not be so lucky next time and also his friend is now out of work and looking for mischief.

Ive increased his work too, he doesnt get much feed but the field is full of grass and Im thinking thats a lot to do with it.

 

[chestnut cob]

Get him in a routine, ie off the grass during the day. My welshie can be sharp if he's out 24/7, he likes to come in during the day and have a sleep.

Set some boundaries for him. Sounds like he has found his feet with you and is trying it on. Do not let him get away with anything. He must learn to stand still. If he invades your space, make him walk backwards a few steps. If he tanks off when you lead him, do the same. He needs to learn that he does as he's told.

Put him on something like Topspec calmer. It's the only one that works on my horse. You should see a change after a couple of weeks and it really works. Stops all sharpness.

Why is he being fed? Cut all his hard feed out, esp molichop - i feed that when I want fizz!

How much hacking does he get? Sounds like he's maybe a bit bored and needs lots and lots of long hacks to burn up some energy.