LauraBR
Well-Known Member
This is very long and a bit rambly, sorry! Just interested in peoples' thoughts!
I have had my current horse for near enough 2 years now; he is a very laid back TBx who I love dearly.
In the most part he is a well mannered lazy toad who needs a lot of leg and takes forever to plod in from the field. I don't let him get away with a lot, he's easy to do, a wonderfully well behaved patient when ill or injured and generally a very sweet gentleman to have around- I couldn't have wished for a more sensible horse to ride and handle through my recent pregnancy.
So why is it then that once in a blue moon when he doesn't get his own way does he absolutely totally and utterly flips his lid and throw the biggest hysterical tantrums I have ever seen a horse throw?
He's only done it a handful of times ever and today was one of those times...
He has been turned away for about a fortnight, the weather turned today so I went up to bring him in and stick a rain sheet on. He was a pain to lead back- calling to his friends and a few half-attempts at planting himself and refusing to walk on. Fairly normal for him.
Stuck him in his stable (surrounded by other stables with horses in) with a handful of cool mix while I went to fetch his rug. He stood screaming for his friends... 2 mins later he had whipped himself up into an absolute state- half rearing at the door, bucking, throwing himself about. I decide to take him in the indoor and lunge him to let off some steam before attempting to lead him back. Once in the indoor I just couldn't manage him- he was fighting to get out, rearing, kicking out. Got him out on a circle to lunge but he'd fall back in charging towards me striking out and kicking, leaping about bronking. I'll be honest, it was pretty bloody scary. Ended up having to unclip him and had to call for help to get out of the indoor whilst fending him off with the lunge rein. He was dangerous, and I don't use that word lightly!
Once I was out there wasn't much option other than leaving him in there to get it out of his system. He kicked the hell out of the door and teared about screaming for 20 mins after which point I caught him and led him back to his stable to cool off. He walked out very sensibly and was turned out again once he had calmed right down a hour or so later.
Now, I understand 100% that his reaction today was all about seperation anxiety... he was upset leaving a herd that have probably grown very tight over the last 2 weeks- but the level of reaction was utterly ridiculous and I don't think it was as though I had put him in a situation he hadn't been in a hundred times before?
It's like he works himself up past the point of no return and once he has past that point you just have to leave him somewhere safe to burn it out. There is no consoling him, no distracting him, no disciplining him- just have to wait for the red mist to lift.
Past similar tantrums have occured in other situations where he has not got his own way: being made to stand still for longer than 10 mins out cubbing being one example (that was fun let me tell you
). I do wonder what it is that triggers such an extreme reaction when he is normally so very laid back???
So now I'm thinking I best bring him in every day for a feed or something to nip this in the bud- unless anyone has any better suggestions?
Anyone else have a horse like this??? He really frightened me today
I have had my current horse for near enough 2 years now; he is a very laid back TBx who I love dearly.
In the most part he is a well mannered lazy toad who needs a lot of leg and takes forever to plod in from the field. I don't let him get away with a lot, he's easy to do, a wonderfully well behaved patient when ill or injured and generally a very sweet gentleman to have around- I couldn't have wished for a more sensible horse to ride and handle through my recent pregnancy.
So why is it then that once in a blue moon when he doesn't get his own way does he absolutely totally and utterly flips his lid and throw the biggest hysterical tantrums I have ever seen a horse throw?
He's only done it a handful of times ever and today was one of those times...
He has been turned away for about a fortnight, the weather turned today so I went up to bring him in and stick a rain sheet on. He was a pain to lead back- calling to his friends and a few half-attempts at planting himself and refusing to walk on. Fairly normal for him.
Stuck him in his stable (surrounded by other stables with horses in) with a handful of cool mix while I went to fetch his rug. He stood screaming for his friends... 2 mins later he had whipped himself up into an absolute state- half rearing at the door, bucking, throwing himself about. I decide to take him in the indoor and lunge him to let off some steam before attempting to lead him back. Once in the indoor I just couldn't manage him- he was fighting to get out, rearing, kicking out. Got him out on a circle to lunge but he'd fall back in charging towards me striking out and kicking, leaping about bronking. I'll be honest, it was pretty bloody scary. Ended up having to unclip him and had to call for help to get out of the indoor whilst fending him off with the lunge rein. He was dangerous, and I don't use that word lightly!
Once I was out there wasn't much option other than leaving him in there to get it out of his system. He kicked the hell out of the door and teared about screaming for 20 mins after which point I caught him and led him back to his stable to cool off. He walked out very sensibly and was turned out again once he had calmed right down a hour or so later.
Now, I understand 100% that his reaction today was all about seperation anxiety... he was upset leaving a herd that have probably grown very tight over the last 2 weeks- but the level of reaction was utterly ridiculous and I don't think it was as though I had put him in a situation he hadn't been in a hundred times before?
It's like he works himself up past the point of no return and once he has past that point you just have to leave him somewhere safe to burn it out. There is no consoling him, no distracting him, no disciplining him- just have to wait for the red mist to lift.
Past similar tantrums have occured in other situations where he has not got his own way: being made to stand still for longer than 10 mins out cubbing being one example (that was fun let me tell you
So now I'm thinking I best bring him in every day for a feed or something to nip this in the bud- unless anyone has any better suggestions?
Anyone else have a horse like this??? He really frightened me today