feeling really down *long*

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sallypops

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poppy has been so weird since she got back from her loan, obviously overweight, but her attitude has completely changed the past couple of weeks she has been showing aggresion towards me she won't lead properly, and to be honest i'm scared of her. and theres no reason for it the only problem she has is her fatness.

i have never been scared not even nervous around any horse especially not poppy! i don't know whats going on. when we were up today she charged out a gate and deep down i knew she wasn't going anywhere but i totally paniced, mum said herself "sally i have never seen you react like that towards a horse or pony"

when we got in the car mum said if she doesn;t improve she'll have to go, but shes my wee girl we have worked so hard together and come so far until her feet got bad and she went on loan
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but i sometimes i think if i got another riding pony i could go so much further. its so depressing and is completely stressing me out. i'm making no brash decisions tho and i am goin to see if her being off the grass will help her to calm down a little as she won't be eating as much. do you think she might just be feeling bloated and irritated??

sorry had to talk about it i'm the only horse rider in the family so i am all alone in making choices
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its good to come on here and get it off my chest

thanks
 
The grass is growing fast at the moment so she will be much better off being off the grass. If she has been on loan she may have been allowed to get away with things that you wouldnt put up with. You just have to reset the boundaries. She must realise that she cannot intimidate you, so be really positive, difficult sometimes but really important. Ponies are very clever and quick to learn how to get away with murder but equally they are quick to work out when things dont work! So keep up the good work and you will soon have your old friend back.

And just another thing, if youve only had her back a few weeks then she probably hasnt settled back into her routine.

You could try a supplement for mares such as stroppy mare or something similar as it might be hormones especially at this time of the year. My old pony was awful in her first spring season and her last autumn seasons.

Hope this helps.
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shes been home a few months now it just gets so distressing, but i do think the no grass will help abit thanks you dozziesmummy for the comfort
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hey,

its fine to feel down when a horse you know and love is behaving oddly - its really depressing!

hell, my mare got back from loan on sunday and i rode her for the first time yesterday and she napped.... she has NEVER napped before and it really threw me!
i had to really sit up and think about it and ride so differently than i usually do on her - i really shocked me!
as have her general bad manners, i broke her myself and she has never been like this before - but its all improving after just a day or 2 as im taking a really tough line - i will not tolerate bad behaviour.

just remember your horse is probably confused and testing her boundries - be strong and firm and your old mare will re-apprear soon.
 
Another thing you could consider is having her back checked. I know it's not an obvious one, but once you're happy you've ruled out everything simple, it might be worth getting her checked out. My horse is usually really sweet and loving, but when he is in pain he puts his ears back at me and tries to nip me - completely out of character for him but fortunately a quick visit from the chiro has him back to his happy self again!
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Ditto what doziesmummy says, the grass is evil atm.

Ponio has turned into devil pony, and his belly is getting rounder by the day
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Get her in, off the grass and get her checked over by a vet.
 
Agree about the back checking, I hadn't rea;ised that Amber had a neck problem and though that her less affectionate behaviour was due to her seasons, and that the less fooling in the field was because she had settled down. Since the chiro and the accupuncture she has been very affectionate and has been playing in the field, well worth getting it checked out.
 
Sorry if you have posted before????How was she before you put her on loan???What do you know about what went on whilst she was on loan???I can only work off the post i have seen 2 date??I dont believe that JUST overweightness causes aggressiveness probs,yes it can change personalities ie:hypo,but in general i have never known a horse turn aggressive without any just cause???not in their nature!!!(u do get exceptions to the rule,but people the same)x
 
well me an poppy have always been a great team like best friends i basically took her under my wing after she had had a pretty neglectful owner so we have worked really hard together, when she went away she was still my wee angel even tho she was off work. but as baggage says i think i also need to really be strong with her, she does need a strong had and i fear that the person who loaned her let her get away with everything. she is behaving how she used to behave when i first got her actually and it took a huge effort to even get her to lead on a headcollar!
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So did the loaner not ride her at all? Sounds like she is testing you now she's home again. She wants to see how much she can get away with, and I'm afraid you'll just have to grit your teeth and go back to basics. I know how upsetting it is, but she's been away, not done much and is now back in familiar territory and trying to be the big boss! How is she with ground work? Could you try re-establishing your relationship by lunging or long reining her?
 
I agree with Henry (I seem to do too much agreeing these days
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You might need to go back to basics. You know lungeing would do her the power of good anyway weight wise, but it would also build her trust in you and vice versa, and get her listening to your voice and body language.
 
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