Chronic spooking and mini bolts: evading work

Q

quinnd

Member
Joined
2 September 2007
Messages
14
Visit site
Have a Welsh cross 148cm whom has always been (reasonably) happy to ride away - and we do a bit of everything at a low level. But recently his spooking has intensified with mini bolts being added to the mix which essentially are all part of him trying to evade work. I've had him for several years. He's 12 but he's never been as bad as this before (he's always been spooky but the mini bolting is new). It's also at its worse the first time in the week that i ride - because of work, I can only ride Thursday to Sunday (each day). (Although I do ask for him to be lunged/hacked earlier in week when I can't ride).
For example, this evening he spooked (for no good reasons) on 10 separate occasions with one half hearted bolt for good measure. This really isn't him. Generally he is quite happy and 'willing' in his work. But it feels like his character is changing - his sulks are getting more intense and he's less willing to work with me.
For those with ponies whom might have faced this: how did you get yours back on track?
(His teeth were recently checked and physio also gave him the all clear a couple of weeks ago. Also he's not being overfaced or being asked too much - I've always been conscious of keeping him in a comfort zone. He gets turnout every day; is in an excellent livery yard; and in a week, sees a mix of hacking and arena work (not all on site. I also go to my trainer/competitions etc). He's been exercised five times per week but admittedly is fitter alot earlier than usual this season).
Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Same as always- some cool'n'cooked with some chaff. He is on an excellent livery yard where the yard manager is very pernickety re: what is fed and portions etc. If anything, he's on slightly less hard feed currently than he'd be in full competition mode. (We are very low level but from late Spring, we would compete weekly)
 
Saddle been done recently?

Is he tanking off as a result of being naughty, or of spooking at something? From that we can work out if he is being tense/nervous/flighty or naughty and misbehaving.
 
I am considering the vet route but he is so healthy. He has never looked better - and is very bright health/looks wise. I do occasionally get my trainer to school him - and he went beautifully for my trainer last weekend. When I rode the next day, he was still very 'sweet' natured and just like his old self. But today's behavior was such a shock.
 
Same saddle for all the time I've had him.

He is spooky by nature and I'd forgive a lot of his spooking when he is truly startled/frightened. But I've had him long enought to know that this is different - it feels very different. It's just blatant naughtiness which isn't like him.
 
quinnd said:
Same saddle for all the time I've had him.

He is spooky by nature and I'd forgive a lot of his spooking when he is truly startled/frightened. But I've had him long enought to know that this is different - it feels very different. It's just blatant naughtiness which isn't like him.
Click to expand...

Has it been checked recently? It is suggested they are checked every 6 months or so. If it is pinching, or the flocking has went flat, then he might be very uncomfortable and evading the pain.

If it hasn't been checked in a while, it would be the first thing I would be looking at for that sort of behavior :)
 
He may just be feeling too well and having 3 easy days/ days off in a row means he is just sharp and fresh on a Thursday, if he settles by the weekend it would fit in, one of my liveries can be a bit similar at this time of year as a lunge or easy hack mid week is just not enough to take the edge off him so he is now getting a bit more work one day and a feed reduction.

Does the yard work him on the lunge or is it just a gentle exercise? if they could give him a more serious work on the Weds for a week or two it may help, this has been an easy winter for most, mine have all maintained weight and look almost too well on very little feed and adlib hay, as he looks so well he just sounds as if he is full of beans and you are getting the worst of it.
 
Thanks for this suggestion. The company that made my saddle redid the flocking about three months ago so maybe that change could be a contributing factor. But I'm still thinking there could be a bit of boldness involved....
 
Thanks for this. Definitely worth trying. Because I travel with work, I think the lunge/hack could be reasonably brief as the days are short and there's a lot to do in the yard. (I have tried a share arrangment in the past but it didn't work out). But more work mid week could help me for the weekend definitely
 
I would suggest feed change and saddle check. Main ingredient in cool n cooked is barley and maize, both high in starch
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top