event horse jacked it in!

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Emma24

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I don't no what to do, my beloved eventer has seemed to have jacked it in, in eventing. I don't know what to do with him? Anyone experienced same problem? If so what have you done?
Event horse with points at Novice only 12 seems to be strugglying with pn, but with a push can get him round. Grumpy at events, sluggish generally seems like he would rather be anywhere else but at a B.E!
No injuries, checked by vet!
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You sya no injuries but I'm afraid it seems likely he may be uncomfortable somewhere even if not obvious. I would be making further physical checks if I could.
 
I have had him at the vets for several days being scanned at xrayed and checked from head to toe, been blood tested. Did do a suspensory two years ago, been scanned every couple of months till vets said it had healed, still have it checked to make sure its still okay regually!
 
Oh dear, poor you, sometimes it's easier when they're hopping lame as at least you know what you are dealing with. It does sound like physical problem tbh unless he has become sour? Either way how about turning him away for a while?
 
Well if it were winter I'd say hunt him.
My gut instinct is something somewhere is causing him pain, regardless of what the vet says.
perhaps you can lift his spirits a bit by some trips to the gallops/the beach etc to see if it's a pain thing or a mental problem.
I'd try him on something to give him a lift like propell and Equijewel, our stallion seemed to lack oomph is how I would describe it, did everything but calmly and without any real fire.
We stuck him on prep 14 and equijewel and he was a changed horse.
Not stupid just a bit playful and raring to get going.
If your horse has always been enthusiastic I would go for something wrong somewhere and this is his way of showing it.
Try everything possible, from a different saddle one event to even going down to Intro to see if he gets more enthusiastic. Something somewhere is causing him discomfort if he's grumpy.
 
I had an ex Intermediate event horse who had an injury at Intermediate level before I had him. Basically the owners were told he would never jump again but 2 years after he had his stifle operated on I was given him to ride. A year after that I started eventing him again! I took him (well, he took me) all the way back to novice level and we won a lot together but one day he just started stopping xc or sj, he would jump a couple of fences then if I didn't quite get the striding right he'd just say no at the fence. He'd rear, spin round and just bunny hop until we were eliminated. This happened at nearly every event we went to and I was beginning to doubt my ability as a rider.
After some head scratching I had a lesson with an event rider who seemed to find a way around the problem and I managed to affiliate him and do some OPN's before retiring him at the age of 15. He went on to do dressage as he was really good at it.

I think you need to analyse where the problem is coming from, my horse just did not like it if you were not 100% correct to a fence. Try and get some help from a pro, that's what I did, they may be able to hep you find a way around the problem?
 
When he did his suspensory he had two years off and has come back in this year, I can't really afford to give him anymore time off.
He is very quirky and so can come off being grumpy or difficult but that is just him. But lately it seems a bit more. When doing dres, sj, or xc I feel like i'm going backwards he has no umph, I want him to be pulling me in or at least feel like he wants to go forward to the fence but he doesn't. I make sure he's v fit, feed him all sorts to help him along.
I went to wiltshire college this week did the opn, was in the sj at second fence he stopped suddenly I fell off, when I got back up to get him he looked terrified, really scared I never hit him so it's not like I get after him, he did finish sj clear. I'm really worried about him. I retired him on xc at fence 3 which was v straightforward, as he just didn't want to even try it and I wasn't going to push him. I just don't no what to do !
 
could you get him a pick me up tonic or something. my riding instructor suggested it to a friend of mine on a horse that wasn't itself. it was a sort of pick me up that just gave it more energy (or may have been equine prozac-who knows!) could he be footsore e.g finding the harder ground a problem and doesn't want the impact on his feet?? affected one of mine is dressage as well as jumping.
 
in my experience if previously good horses start not wanting to jump, they are anticipating pain on landing, especially front leg pain.
unfortunately if he's really not enjoying it any more, and isn't viral etc, then he may not be an eventer any more.
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It certainly appears pain related but sounds if you have had him checked from top to toe (what about his tack etc)? What I would say is IMO it's no use trying to battle away when they are off form like this so would suggest a long holiday, then a change of 'sport' ie huntingetc, then start him back eventing but drop him down a class or two. Hopefully he should then come back ok. I know it's a pain but I've found this is the only way to sweeten them up effectively.
Good luck.
 
I know you said the vet has looked at him, but have you had a McTimoney or physio person to check his back?
Also thought if you are sure he is not in pain u need to show hime that eventing is still fun, so maybe try going xc schooling with another horse that he can follow this may get his blood up a bit and remind him how much fun it is.
 
This might go against the grain, but why dont you bute him up and try him, if it is pain related then he should feel back to his normal self, otherwise perhaps you may need a different approach when riding him.
 
Agree Daisychain. This is a route my friend went down when hers was behaving erratically and had had everything checked out. turned out as something in his feet which wouldnt have been picked up before. The bute led to nerve blocks. Just waiting for a diagnosis now
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Mmm those two saddle brands are not too bad at all.
I just asked because there are some brands of saddle out there that horses just do not move or jump well in.

You could invest in a WOW saddle for him to see if it solves the problem- it might well be the 'cure' as it may give him absolute comfort and therefore the confidence to jump. Might not work, but at least with a WOW saddle, you can adjust it for your next horse if you do end up having to retire this horse from eventing.
 
I think WOWs are about 1500 quid, probably better spending that money with a vet in the first instance then think about different types of saddle.

When there was a problem with my horse the vet used a bute trial as a method of investigation, why not have a chat with your vet about trying it.
 
It could just be psychological - perhaps he's just 'gone sour'?

I agree with the suggestion of taking him hunting next season - but could you give him a month of competing now and do lots of 'fun' things instead? Fun rides, long hacks etc. and see if he's feeling better and refreshed after a change?
 
i guess years ago people would say hes gone a bit stale with it all. maybe he needs a breaks for a month or so and just some fun, sponsored rides etc to get back into life.
 
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