Change in horses behaviour/attitude to wotk

[Flying_Form]

Hi guys,
Having a bit of an issue with my horse and not really sure what to do in my case so looking for some advice.

I’ve had my horse for two years now, and I’ve been riding him quite consistently for those two years (he usually gets a month off every once in awhile too). We’ve done lots of competitions together and he’s a great all rounder and a confidence giver.

Recently found myself quite busy at work and this workload will probably continue until around March, so I said I would partlease him to a boy who was moving off his old pony and just wanted something to give him confidence and that was bigger and a bit more forward.

He rides him more than me at this point and they seemed to be getting on well. I originally was quite happy with the arrangement, especially as he doesn’t do all that much with him so I was happy he was getting a light workload but recently I had a few people say that he’s started stopping at fences and napping in the arena which is quite unusual for him as like I said he’s a confidence giver and very straightforward.

When I heard this I immediately got teeth checked, physio out, vet out, saddle checked everything that can get checked and all is good. Then when riding him about two weeks ago he was napping/running out/stopping. I was honestly so disappointed because this is so unlike him.

I know he’s not fit and is not getting as consistent work as he usually does prior to the lease. The boy that leases him also isn’t a strong rider, and probably lacks a bit of confidence anyway, and my gelding might be getting away with a bit more than usual as he can be a bit of a chancer sometimes, even with me!

I’m just wondering what I’m better off to do - give him a break, end the lease and try to come down more often to ride to get him to the stage he used to be at, or to hack him whenever I ride and get him out of the arena? He hacks once a week typically anyway but is he getting a bit sour?

so lost at what to do because this has really bothered me and I’m at a bit of a loss for words…

 

[Barton Bounty]

It only takes one time of running out at a jump for a horse to take the p!ss, might just be the boy isnt as confident as you, and now he has picked up a naughty habit? If your sure its nothing physical, is there anyone else that’s confident that can try with him?

 

[ycbm]

It's possible that the change of rider is a red herring. This kind of change in a jumper is often the first sign of hock problems. If he does it with you as well now, I'd think about getting him checked out by a vet.
.

 

[Birker2020]

I think you need to watch the boy ride him and see if the way he is riding him is effecting his way of going.

I personally wouldn't ride my horse more than four times a week in an arena and I think that is too much anyway, but obviously in the winter its harder to hack. Maybe a bit of in hand work would be good for one of the days (not lunging but walking over poles or other in hand exercises), he could hack Saturday and Sunday and do two/three days in the school ridden??

 

[Goldenstar]

What should you with a horse who has been willing and straightforward who starts napping and stopping .
Call the vet .

 

[Flying_Form]

I think you need to watch the boy ride him and see if the way he is riding him is effecting his way of going.

I personally wouldn't ride my horse more than four times a week in an arena and I think that is too much anyway, but obviously in the winter its harder to hack. Maybe a bit of in hand work would be good for one of the days (not lunging but walking over poles or other in hand exercises), he could hack Saturday and Sunday and do two/three days in the school ridden??

i agree with you, when I would ride him all the time it was 3 days arena, 1/2 days hacking and the rest was time off and turnout. Might try some in hand work to change it up for him! Thanks

 

[Flying_Form]

What should you with a horse who has been willing and straightforward who starts napping and stopping .
Call the vet .

He’s been checked by the vet, not only the vet but also the physio, dentist and a saddle fitter. No issues. Stated this in my post.

 

[Flying_Form]

It's possible that the change of rider is a red herring. This kind of change in a jumper is often the first sign of hock problems. If he does it with you as well now, I'd think about getting him checked out by a vet.
.

I got him checked by the vet who said he was fine. Physio, dentist and saddle fitter said the same. Maybe I need a second opinion?

 

[Flying_Form]

It only takes one time of running out at a jump for a horse to take the p!ss, might just be the boy isnt as confident as you, and now he has picked up a naughty habit? If your sure its nothing physical, is there anyone else that’s confident that can try with him?

Thinking of ending the lease maybe at the end of the month, I have a friend who’d have time to ride him while I can’t who’s a great rider so might have to ask him to do that instead. Just want to be careful because I don’t want the boy to think this is totally his fault and that’s why I’m ending the lease.

 

[Birker2020]

Thinking of ending the lease maybe at the end of the month, I have a friend who’d have time to ride him while I can’t who’s a great rider so might have to ask him to do that instead. Just want to be careful because I don’t want the boy to think this is totally his fault and that’s why I’m ending the lease.

You have to do what is right for you and your horse but I can imagine its a nightmare having a loaner and being worried how to speak to them about any issues.

It sounds like the horse is getting either a bit resentful or sour due to the work being given him, I can imagine going round and round in endless circles day in day out must be frustrating and very boring, heck it would be boring for me, never mind a horse!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thinking of ending the lease maybe at the end of the month, I have a friend who’d have time to ride him while I can’t who’s a great rider so might have to ask him to do that instead. Just want to be careful because I don’t want the boy to think this is totally his fault and that’s why I’m ending the lease.

Yeah totally agree, thats a good shout ?

 

[Goldenstar]

What did the vet do ?

 

[ycbm]

I got him checked by the vet who said he was fine. Physio, dentist and saddle fitter said the same. Maybe I need a second opinion?

What checks did the vet do? You need x rays and PSD scans, ideally. My horse passed flexion tests with absolutely flying colours a few weeks ago, and the vet was a bit shocked to find bone spurs when I insisted she should x ray.
.

 

[Flying_Form]

You have to do what is right for you and your horse but I can imagine its a nightmare having a loaner and being worried how to speak to them about any issues.

It sounds like the horse is getting either a bit resentful or sour due to the work being given him, I can imagine going round and round in endless circles day in day out must be frustrating and very boring, heck it would be boring for me, never mind a horse!

Just an update! I ended up ending the lease that week, gave him a weeks break while I figured out my work situation, and he has now been back in work for about 3 and a half weeks. I have just tried to organise myself a bit better to make myself have time for him. It took a day or two of difficulty, and then something just clicked in him and he’s now slowly coming back to his happy, fabulous self. Really learned my lesson that when doing something that is right for you, you also have to make sure it’s right for your horse!!

 

[Birker2020]

Just an update! I ended up ending the lease that week, gave him a weeks break while I figured out my work situation, and he has now been back in work for about 3 and a half weeks. I have just tried to organise myself a bit better to make myself have time for him. It took a day or two of difficulty, and then something just clicked in him and he’s now slowly coming back to his happy, fabulous self. Really learned my lesson that when doing something that is right for you, you also have to make sure it’s right for your horse!!

That's great news, so pleased you are both back up and running again. x

 

[Barton Bounty]

Very pleased for you! Just like humans, horses can have off periods! And not all off periods need a vet work up which is good. Glad its all working out ?