fresh ideas please at wits end

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sherbet

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This may be long so sorry
I have posted on here a couple of time about my mare and we are still having problems so would like some fresh ideas if poss
All checks have been done and are clear
She is a TB, 7 yr old never raced but trained. Feed 1scoup hi-fi light, 1/2 scoop balance, chaste berries as a powder (supplement for moody mare). 1 x lesson, 1x hack, 2-3 schooling session flat and jumping maybe a lunge instead of ridden.
So she was fine lovely mare then just changed for no real reason stated running into fence whilst I was riding, stopping and just not moving. In lessons and when I was schooling her. Started bucking on the spot on hacks and running down hills. All checks took place and nothing found. Instructor rode her and had little joy she still stopped, you can kick, “beat”, chase with lunge whip she still just plants. I have sat for about 20-30 mins one time nothing. Should also add she has started swing her bum away from me whilst trying to mount.
We took her flash off and started on chaste berries and seemed in improve, so in lessons we started jumping, poles etc to make it fun and keep her mind active. I started hacking her on little hacks with no hills and again all seemed good.
Yesterday we changed her nose band to a grackle as she hates the flash (I had been riding with out one) but I need more control when jumping, she had a strop to start with which I was expecting then worked really well. Then 10 mins before end of lesson had the biggest strop ever running into fence not moving etc. Instructor ended up leading us – dragging out of corner this went on for about 20 mins then I got a good trot as in she kept going jumped off and finished.

I am slowly lossing the will with this mare but I know deep down she is good

She just seems to switch off. So any ideas etc would be very much appreciated
 
Have you had absolutely everything checked? She wouldnt be acting like this for no reason. i would do the teeth, back, saddle, and if no joy get thd vet to check her. also what about giving her a couple of weeks off and seeing if there is an improvement?
 
It sounds to me like a problem with her tack. She clearly doesn't like the flash so doubt she would like the grackle either.
Maybe a change of bit? Some work better (better brakes) in as little tack as possible and a change of bit. Mine hates normal snaffle's so changed her to a snaffle with a losenge which turns 360deg, preventing her form grabbing it with her teeth (something she was prone to doing) I am lucky in the respect of a flash solves my control problems and my horse doesn't mind wearing one. She also hates martingales so never wears one and is better behaved when she isn't fighting with that!

If I was you I would try fiddling around with tack for the control aspect of things, but keeping away from anything that is going to close her mouth together, like flash or a grackle!

When you say everything has been checked I am assuming the usual teeth, back, tack ect is what you mean? If not then this would be a good starting point too!

Good luck :)
 
asommerville said:
Have you had absolutely everything checked? She wouldnt be acting like this for no reason. i would do the teeth, back, saddle, and if no joy get thd vet to check her. also what about giving her a couple of weeks off and seeing if there is an improvement?
Click to expand...

Couple of weeks of is a very good idea!!
 
As she's a mare just have her ovaries checked. My friends had a tumour and behaved in a similar manner.
 
I am guessing you have had the vet to look at her?
To me it sounds like she is in pain. Could be her ovaries?
I knew a horse that would 'plant' when ridden it turned out with him that he had damaged a nerve in his neck. Plenty of horses dont like flash straps, have you ridden her with no noseband. There is a nerve in the horses head that some nosebands aggrevate.
 
Can't use a flash or grackle on my lad due to facial pain and acute headshaking. Use a micklem bridle which he is so much happier in:)
 
Ok I have noticed that by 'all checks' you dont seem to put Vet on your list. I had a quick look at your previous posts and noticed you put something about the physio finding a 'torn muscle' in your horses shoulder and that you gave her 2 weeks rest then 2 weeks hacking and she was better?
But then some posts about her wanting to trot when going down hill ( when her weight and your weight would be mainly on her front end) I am sorry but everything I have read makes me think she is in pain. It could still be her shoulder? My friends horse tore a muscle in his chest and was never lame but suddenly refused to go down drop fences (he was an intermediate eventer) the vet found the problem and if I remember rightly he had to have about 4 months rest then gentle stretches and about 6 months hacking in straight lines till it was fully healed.
It might not be her shoulder but something is hurting her, if it was my horse I would be getting a experienced vet and giving them her full history. I hope you don't think I am having a go I really am just trying to help.
 
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