Evergreen
Well-Known Member
One of my horses has what I thought was a saddle phobia. When I tried him he was fine and then I got him home and he had a complete panic attack the first time I saddled him. Rearing, pulling back etc. I worked through it. Saddle all checked etc. I have to tack him up in the stable and girth him up really slowly, walking him in between each tightening. I have to ride with a loose girth but have never had any ridden problems until yesterday when I decided the girth was dangerously loose and tightened it a notch whilst mounted. It was still loose (could easily slide your hand underneath). I walked forwards a few strides and he just exploded. Bucked, reared and leapt. Then thankfully stopped rigid. I jumped off and tried to lead him forwards. Again he leapt up and his whole sides quivered as though in spasm. I loosened it one hole (as I say it had been still really loose) and lunged him for 5 minutes then rode him again. He was fine. He has never so much as bucked or reared with me in the year I've owned him before.
He's done the same thing with the lunge roller and the pessoa, almost throwing himself over backwards. His back has been checked by vet, chiro and physio and everything is fine. He doesn't seem to mind the weight on his back, it;s just the girth. I've tried all kinds including prolite and sheepskin. Any ideas?
He's done the same thing with the lunge roller and the pessoa, almost throwing himself over backwards. His back has been checked by vet, chiro and physio and everything is fine. He doesn't seem to mind the weight on his back, it;s just the girth. I've tried all kinds including prolite and sheepskin. Any ideas?
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