grumpy when girthed/ saddled

JLD

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hi, just wanting HHO experience really, I have a 13.2 pony who came to me 7 months ago, he had been living in field doing nothing for about 3 years, prior to that he had been kicked out of a riding school for bad behaviour after a few months and prior to that he had been deemed dangerous to drive after 'bolting' in harness ( once when spooked after a successful start driving dressage ). I know he had very badly fitting tack at the riding school and has done little under saddle since. He is proving a total saint on the LR for my 4 yr old daughter and is amazing round the kids on the ground so i think he has found his niche but he remains grumpy swinging round to nip when you put his saddle on and do his girth up, and occasionally kicks out when you pick his back feet up ( not hard just irritatedly ) he is fine to brush all over and rug, he is out on limited grazing but still enough for him to pick at all day 12 hrs and on a yard with hay overnight. he is only ridden in a cub saddle now with a 2 stone fairy on top so I cant think it is discomfort from that. do you think could still be remembered pain and rough handling ? he flinches even now if you move too quickly next to him, and he had never been hit other than a slight slap on the shoulder for trying it on at times by me. vet has checked back and thinks is fine.
 
could he have stomach ulcers... i know it seems like the go to response for anything like this, but it is rather reminiscent of my gelding's behaviour when he was diagnosed with them...
 
Even if the vet has checked him, I would also ask the farrier if there is any problem when he lifts the legs.
It sounds like has been hammered at some time, just make sure he is always handled quietly, maybe put the bridle on and have someone stand at his head rubbing his face when you are girthing up, and do this gently, one side and then the other side, one hole at a time, pull out front legs to make sure there are no wrinkles, take it slowly, maybe think about a comfort girth as well.
When picking his back feet up please do not grip round the leg, this will make him feel trapped, keep your hand open, so that if he kicks back he can release, your farrier will show you how.
 
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thanks I had wondered about ulcers but he is so good about everything else and grumps from putting the saddle on, will speak to vet about it though,
MrsD good advice re legs - he is fine for the farrier and often fine for me - I wonder if it is when I am a bit rush or impatient he is more defensive - it certanly isn't aggressive, he was a sod for his back legs when he came to me but with gently picking them up many many times a day for the first week he settled and improved really quickly. I try to be really gentle with his saddle and girth but may need to look at a different girth.
 
Just check that the saddle is sitting in the "right place", I really can't see any discomfort arising when he is on lead rein and has proper tack, AND a light rider,
 
Mine hates the girth being done up

I now put the saddle on with a loose girth and leave it a short while before girthing up more tightly and that seems to have improved things
 
Could you try something like a fluffy numnah & bridelway girth with the fleecy lining (and inexpensive) and see if he's just a bit sensitive? a bit of dead sheep generally makes them more comfortable, and would be nice and warm..
 
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