HELP! is my horse anxious or moody

[Rayasunshine]

Hello, we recently bought an ex-riding school, 9 year old, cob mare. She was perfect at the viewing but when we brought her home she has started kicking and won't let us pick up her hoofs or go near her rear end, we were told that she bucks in the canter transition but when we tried to ride her she was kicking out in trot and didn't want me to get on. She stamps her foot when she gets impatient or annoyed and tries to nip sometimes!
If you know anything please let me know!

Thankyou !!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Did you get her vetted?

 

[stangs]

The anxiety of the move, especially if she was at the RS a while, will have increased issues caused by pain.

She definitely sounds unhappy, that’s for sure.

 

[Melody Grey]

Riding school horses are often quite regimented in their routine, so if she’s been a RS horse for a long time, the move may well have upset her. Has her routine changed drastically with increased/ decreased turn out? It could be an underlying issue that’s been brought out by change.

As others have said, consult the vet. Do you know why she has been sold from the RS? Are there known veterinary issues?

RS horses are often very different when out of the school and their workload decreases, so some changes are inevitable, though it sounds like she’s painful somewhere.

 

[Melody Grey]

RS horses can be accustomed to doing things en masse in the security of a familiar group, it might be quite a lot of change for her.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

We had a sweet pony at the RS I worked at. Sent a child to groom him and he did his best to bite her, was really unpleasant. I was amazed as he hadn't shown this side of himself up to then and didn't again. I would want this pony checked by a vet.

 

[Starzaan]

As an ex long time riding school instructor, I always despair a little when I hear a novice owner has bought an ex riding school horse.
These horses are used to a regimented routine, and more work in a day than the vast majority of private owners can ever give them. They're normally handled and schooled by experienced professionals to keep them in check, and then people are surprised when they're wired, naughty and rude when they move to a private home.

I would suggest a vetting if you haven't had one done, and an instructor to help you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The bucking in a canter transition is a red flag to me. I would want a vet to check this mare over before doing anything else.

Over the years, I have had several horses that have been used in RS, including our first horse, a gelding. They have never been bad-mannered or difficult. I don't believe that this behaviour is just because of a change in routine.

 

[HeyMich]

Where is the horse now kept? Does it have decent turnout and suitable company? Try to keep the management of the horse as similar to before as possible - including feeding regime, access to forage, type of exercise, turnout, company etc. Obviously the exercise levels will be different, so maybe think about how you could change this to make the horse feel more relaxed and less anxious/alert. If these management changes don't make a positive difference, then please call your vet.

 

[Kaylum]

why was she for sale because she bucked? What was the reason they said she bucked?

Riding school horses can have quite a lot of back/limb problems. Yes get her vetted also ask them to check for feather mites that might explain the stamping. Get her teeth looked as well.

Riding schools tend to keep their good horses as they are like gold dust.

How long have you had her? Have you reported this to the Riding School and have they offered to help you with it?

 

[vhf]

I have a very (VERY) opinionated 9yo cobx mare who will stamp her feet and/or paw if annoyed/impatient/hangry, and makes what I call her 'Marge Simpson annoyed grunt' when she is expected to do anything she'd rather not. However, she is generally a gem to ride and handle, a real trier under saddle and total cuddle-bug; it's just a case of making her feelings known. Over the years she has had moody/grumpy episodes, and they have always, without exception, been when she's had some kind of physical problem. Luckily I have been around horses a lifetime, have known this one most of her life, and can tell which response is due to what. If she had a massive change in routine/home/friends I know it would throw her off her game because she's that sort, but I wouldn't expect to see all the behaviours you describe even then.

With a new horse (and possibly a new-to-owning person?) you don't have this advantage so getting an objective, independent expert in to assess her is the most sensible route forward I would think. If you bought without a vetting (and some either very experienced or poorly advised inexperienced people do) then this is doubly true.

 

[Leandy]

I think many new owners fail to realise that riding school horses are often as they are (ie quiet and docile and monumentally tolerant) because they have a very predictable routine, considerably more work and quite possibly less food than they will get in a private home. So they are mostly rather switched off. If they move to a private home they can turn into a completely different horse or display some habits which explain why they were in the riding school rather than a private home in the first place. You need to be prepared to work with an ex riding school horse whilst it readjusts to a different life and starts to reveal its true self. Hopefully it remains a horse which suits you but it is likely to change somewhat outside the riding school environment - for better or for worse. The first thing I would do is ask the instructor from the riding school to come and help you as it is quite possible the horse is unsettled and trying it on. Also agree with the others that there may be a pain issue if you did not have a thorough vetting on purchase.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think it sounds like she's in pain. Has a vet seen her at any point?

Are you using the same saddle that she used in the riding school?

As others have said, the change in routine can be a major problem for some ex-riding school ponies, but a lot of what you're saying just sounds like pain. A lot can be really nappy as they are used to doing things in a group. I've known some that have become wizzy, a lot sharper, hard to catch etc, but that's not quite the same thing as what you're describing.

Depending on where you bought her from, she could have been buted up for viewing. Or something had happened since you've bought her which have made existing pain issues worse?

 

[Frano]

Could she have feather mites, Lots of hairy cobs are prone to them. This can cause stamping and leg shaking possibly kicking out. In my experience cobs can do a small buck when going into canter, possibly lack of schooling. A vet check would be a good idea.

 

[Frano]

How long have you had her? Could the behaviour be linked to her coming into season?

 

[Melody Grey]

Could also be sugars in the grass irritating gastric issues if she has them- particularly if turnout and quality of grazing has improved with the move?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Could also be sugars in the grass irritating gastric issues if she has them- particularly if turnout and quality of grazing has improved with the move?

Again, this would need vet intervention.

I have been thinking about this thread and am concerned that the replies which seem to be saying 'this is to be expected from ex-RS animals' could deflect from the need to involve a vet.
OP, please do get a vet's opinion before the poor animal's behaviour gets worse through increasing pain or a person gets hurt.

 

[Annagain]

Please get her checked over by a vet. My boy had (has) very similar symptoms. He had a full lameness work up yesterday and we've found a physical issue that has been causing it (or we hope it has, we have to see if he responds to the treatment). Now we know about it we can take steps to address it and make sure he's comfy and happy again.