Feeling a bit deflated

[J_sarahd]

Basically, I’m feeling as if maybe I’ve bit off more than I can chew with Nova. Don’t get me wrong, she’s the sweetest mare but recently, she’s just throwing things at me that I’m struggling with.

Today, I fell off out hacking as she spooked into a ploughed field down a bank, freaked herself out and then I plopped off over her head. Admittedly, I could’ve sat it if I’d tried and she didn’t do anything wrong at all, but it’s disheartened me a bit.

Also, in the school, she’s become quite nappy when trotting away from the ponies in the fields at the bottom of the school (so on the left rein if I’m doing a circle at A, she gets nappy between X and K when asking for trot but if I ask anywhere else, she’s perfect). I’ve been trying to be quite gentle with her and she does respond if I keep just using my voice to ask her to trot. And the other day, she spent a lot of time with only 2 or 0 feet on the ground - it was windy and started raining and she hasn’t been that bad at all since.

I’ve had saddle and back checked, teeth are due in May. I know the bit needs changing and have one on its way. I’ve started having lessons but with her being so young, I don’t want to overdo it.

I am really hoping its spring grass (she’s not out at night yet so that probably doesn’t help) and her being in season (I read somewhere that TBs have really bad first and last seasons? Not sure how true it is, but it would make sense).

Obviously, if it continues or gets worse, I’ll be getting the vet straight out and this behaviour is not the same as she was exhibiting before her break for those who were aware of that. She does trot nicely 90% of the time and doesn’t fling her head in the air like she did then (and the walk is spot on with no napping).

I guess I’m just kind of ranting/needing someone to tell me that I can push through this rough patch as I currently feel like giving it all up and questioning why I bought a young TB.

 

[TPO]

Do you have regular lessons with a trainer experienced with ex racers?

 

[J_sarahd]

We’ve only just started having lessons again - we had a few groundwork ones before her holiday - but yeah, our trainer has had ex racehorses herself.

 

[TPO]

We’ve only just started having lessons again - we had a few groundwork ones before her holiday - but yeah, our trainer has had ex racehorses herself.

That should help, maybe more so if trainer can do some ridden sessions too?

It is a big step from your previous boy to a young ex racer. It's a different kettle of fish with a youngster plus TB plus ex racer...

I think TBs are brilliant horses but their brains are very different from your previous horse.

Chill a bit with the pressure on you both. It'll be a steep learning curve at times. Maybe try lessons on schoolmasters somewhere to keep your riding improving too.

However it is supposed to be fun and if you're not enjoying the slow process of educating a youngster and all the stuff that comes with it maybe you need to have a think. This is supposed to be a hobby and something we look forward to. If it's getting you down that's no good for either of you

 

[ycbm]

Basically, I’m feeling as if maybe I’ve bit off more than I can chew with Nova. Don’t get me wrong, she’s the sweetest mare but recently, she’s just throwing things at me that I’m struggling with.

Today, I fell off out hacking as she spooked into a ploughed field down a bank, freaked herself out and then I plopped off over her head. Admittedly, I could’ve sat it if I’d tried and she didn’t do anything wrong at all, but it’s disheartened me a bit.

Also, in the school, she’s become quite nappy when trotting away from the ponies in the fields at the bottom of the school (so on the left rein if I’m doing a circle at A, she gets nappy between X and K when asking for trot but if I ask anywhere else, she’s perfect). I’ve been trying to be quite gentle with her and she does respond if I keep just using my voice to ask her to trot. And the other day, she spent a lot of time with only 2 or 0 feet on the ground - it was windy and started raining and she hasn’t been that bad at all since.

I’ve had saddle and back checked, teeth are due in May. I know the bit needs changing and have one on its way. I’ve started having lessons but with her being so young, I don’t want to overdo it.

I am really hoping its spring grass (she’s not out at night yet so that probably doesn’t help) and her being in season (I read somewhere that TBs have really bad first and last seasons? Not sure how true it is, but it would make sense).

Obviously, if it continues or gets worse, I’ll be getting the vet straight out and this behaviour is not the same as she was exhibiting before her break for those who were aware of that. She does trot nicely 90% of the time and doesn’t fling her head in the air like she did then (and the walk is spot on with no napping).

I guess I’m just kind of ranting/needing someone to tell me that I can push through this rough patch as I currently feel like giving it all up and questioning why I bought a young TB.

I don't agree with "pushing through" anything these days. I'm now fully aware of just how much horses hide physical and mental pain from us. And how much harm can be caused by "pushing through" by a dominant rider. For your own peace of mind, given the history you've now had with this young mare and the video you shared with me, I think you should get a full workup from a vet before you do anything else with her.

 

[deicinmerlyn]

It might help giving her something for her gut and doing some ground work with her to build up more of a bond aswell as the above suggested by ycbm

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I don't agree with "pushing through" anything these days. I'm now fully aware of just how much horses hide physical and mental pain from us. And how much harm can be caused by "pushing through" by a dominant rider. For your own peace of mind, given the history you've now had with this young mare and the video you shared with me, I think you should get a full workup from a vet before you do anything else with her.

This. She’s been having some issues for months, sounds like she’s trying to tell you something is hurting IMO. Get a vet out, even if they find nothing, piece of mind.

My mare started to really nap, not go forward. Some days worse than others. Turns out she had a chip floating in the middle of her hock (ouch)

 

[eahotson]

I don't agree with "pushing through" anything these days. I'm now fully aware of just how much horses hide physical and mental pain from us. And how much harm can be caused by "pushing through" by a dominant rider. For your own peace of mind, given the history you've now had with this young mare and the video you shared with me, I think you should get a full workup from a vet before you do anything else with her.

That 100%.I would add especially the mental pain.

 

[Barton Bounty]

It is a very slow process and you have to really go back to basics to build your education, you are basically starting from scratch. She will come good I am sure.
I have been in your shoes, sometimes bailing when he just had a moment. It is not easy and it dents your confidence massively but slowly slowly and gently does work

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I’d agree with some checks for peace of mind. Beryl had got super at taking the bit when being tacked up but the last couple of times just a fraction resistant. Didn’t think too much of it as she was a bit of a handful to bridle initially (slightly ear shy), plus an opinionated madam at the best of times and it was a subtle change. She’s just had the dentist where two tiny pinch points have developed in the corners of her mouth , so a few days off for them to heal and a search for a different bit!

She has a really fleshy small mouth so finding one that fits is going to be fun, but I’m so glad I’d had the dentist booked in even if it was coincidental that it has happened at the same time.

She has the dentist every six months as her mouth isn’t completely typical, and actually listening to the vet dentist explain how young mouths change and effect how they can work, I’m glad she’s on six month visits until she has her full adult teeth!

I’ve found more and more horses are not difficult for the sake of being difficult, I’m doing my best to listen more!

 

[J_sarahd]

We are having a riding assessment with the vet this week so we shall see what they say.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Fingers crossed it is just baby horse stuff, so hard to know sometimes what's just testing boundaries and what's something more!

 

[Melody Grey]

I don’t know the background, but from lots of experience (both positive and negative!) the re- training of ex racers can reveal a lot of veterinary issues, for most it’s a completely different way of working that takes time to adjust to and build strength/ balance/ confidence.

The sharpness/ napping you describe have been classic symptoms in ones I’ve owned/ worked with who have had veterinary issues.

I too would get the vet while the objections are relatively polite- don’t wait until the horse is screaming at you.

ETA: sometimes waiting can lead to a knock-on effect of other problems stemming from and compensating for the first. It makes diagnosis harder and more convoluted in my experience.

fingers crossed it’s nothing serious.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

We are having a riding assessment with the vet this week so we shall see what they say.

Hope it goes well. Keep us updated.

 

[J_sarahd]

Thanks everyone - I will keep you all updated. I’m hoping it is just her being a baby, but like everyone said, I need to just give myself peace of mind.

 

[J_sarahd]

So we had the vet ridden assessment today and Nova napped to a mare stood by the fence once. The vet suggests it may be behavioural as she isn’t lame or showing any other signs of discomfort (her “nap” was less dramatic than previous). She suggested to give it a week or so and see if there’s any improvement. No improvement and we will bute trial. She also suggested upping the dosage of our gut balancer as she says often the fresh spring grass can cause gastric discomfort, which may be having an effect.

She says if we do eventually go down the pain road, we will start with neck and back - she holds her head up high in trot (I thought that was normal for young ex racehorses who were still very weak?) and the vet thinks that’s the most obvious place to start. Palpated her back with no reaction today though, which is good, but obviously not a diagnostic tool.

So, I’m going to keep up with light schooling and hacking and see if we have any improvement. I’m hoping our bit comes soon so we can try that out and hopefully see a bit of improvement. Like I said, today was an improvement on the other day but obviously one day isn’t a sign that things are better. I’m worried about a bute trial due to her ulcers, but we will think about that when/if we get there.

Just an fyi on the ulcers - they were squamous and the vet suggested they were likely caused by the routine/feed of the race yard not by pain.

 

[VRIN]

You might find the 'Enjoy Your Horse' Club run by Karl Greenwood useful - loys of suggestions for gaining confidence and breaking things down to 'bite size pieces. Certainly worth a look...

 

[Melody Grey]

That sounds like quite a positive outcome- nothing alarming in terms of ridden behaviour or palpating of the back.

I definitely agree that gastric discomfort is a thing and is always my first thought, especially at this time of year with the spring grass coming through. One of mine has historic cases of ulcers and is sensitive- he responds well to aloe Vera juice. It’s always my first call if he’s a bit sensitive.

Being upright does sound like weakness- I’m guessing that this horse lacks topline and muscle generally? Just wondering if raised poles and backing up ten paces to engage the thoracic sling could be useful exercises for you at this stage if you’re not already thinking that way?

ETA:
Re: a potential bute trial, you could ask for Danilon instead which I understand is less harsh on the stomach. Using something like Protexin Quick Fix might also help to lessen the gut disturbance?

 

[J_sarahd]

That sounds like quite a positive outcome- nothing alarming in terms of ridden behaviour or palpating of the back.

I definitely agree that gastric discomfort is a thing and is always my first thought, especially at this time of year with the spring grass coming through. One of mine has historic cases of ulcers and is sensitive- he responds well to aloe Vera juice. It’s always my first call if he’s a bit sensitive.

Being upright does sound like weakness- I’m guessing that this horse lacks topline and muscle generally? Just wondering if raised poles and backing up ten paces to engage the thoracic sling could be useful exercises for you at this stage if you’re not already thinking that way?

ETA:
Re: a potential bute trial, you could ask for Danilon instead which I understand is less harsh on the stomach. Using something like Protexin Quick Fix might also help to lessen the gut disturbance?

Thank you - yeah I think the fact that I mentioned it had improved since the last time she was in the school and the vet noticed that after the initial napping, she was trotting around sweetly didn’t give her too much cause for concern.

She’s currently on ulsgard which I think has aloe in it so I assume I can just up the dosage during the spring grass and see if that helps?


Yeah she has more than when I got her but she is lacking in muscle. Before her break, it was just a case of getting used to each other and then obviously 3 months of doing nothing and now back in! I did do a lot of raised poles before her break but I’ll be honest and say they’ve fallen by the wayside recently. I’ll definitely add it back to our routine. As for backing up, we do it but not often. I tend to use backing up to “bring her back” if she’s planted for one reason or another when leading her or if she’s being a bit keen to bring in.

Ooh I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll definitely speak to my vet about danilon if we get to that. Thank you!

 

[ycbm]

I don't really understand your vet's reluctance to x ray the neck, when neck issues are known to be so prevalent in TB horses. When I saw your video when you were having trouble back in the autumn before you laid her off for winter I said that judging by that video I would x ray her neck and I stand by that comment. I would not wait, with her behaving dangerously, nor do a bute trial on a horse with a history of ulcers. A bute trial made my TB who was found to have neck arthritis react very badly to my right leg.

I hope you find an answer, I know this must be very upsetting.
.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Did your vet do flexion tests, trot up and lunge? Doesn’t sound like a normal work up.

I’ve done a bute trial before but only because we didn’t find anything after a lameness work up (with x-rays) I’d of thought holding her head up high while being ridden is a sign of discomfort but I’m no vet (and I guess common in ex racers)

Napping can also be because of pain.

Fingers crossed not. Hope you find an answer, or the bute trial gives some indication.

To add, my gelding with chronic neck arthritis, 4 bute a day made no difference sadly so I wouldn’t always swear by it making a change if it’s pain.

 

[J_sarahd]

She did a trot up and we did lunge her in the school before I got on. It wasn’t a lameness work up, it was a ridden assessment as she hasn’t been lame and the only symptom is the crabbiness/napping under saddle. It’s not dangerous - the rear, leaping, broncing only happened once and I think that was the result of a lot of things happening at once. At the moment, the nappiness is just a slight reluctance if trotting past other horses.

In terms of the head carriage, it’s not high as in ears up my nose. I’ve had a look at a lot of young ex racehorses on instagram and it seems consistent with theirs. It’s just not the ideal place for a horse’s head to be. She is showing signs of dropping it slightly, but I feel like that’s a long road. I think obviously a hollow outline can cause problems itself if it isn’t already being caused by problems. The headshaking in the pre-break videos has completely gone now as has any behaviour in the walk.

I’ll try and get videos the next time I ride her in the school.