help needed

[traceyell]

i have had my horse 2 years in september he is now 6 always been brill in traffic never botherd no matter what size vehicle has passed him but now with no reason, i can say this as no one else takes him out he has started to be freaked at anything transit size upwards hes never been hit by anything out or nothing has happened to warrant this, he is in a field by a road that he has been in since i got him, even going out with another horse doesnt work help cos i am at my wits end

 

[hadfos]

What is he being fed???what is his grazing like??Due to this bizarre weather the grass keeps getting a flush of growth,which can turn them silly

!!If he has been fine up till now and nothing has happened to frighten him,it could be high jinx and an excuse to be naughty??especially if he is behaving like it with another with him!!

 

[traceyell]

he is on not much grazing due to his weight and hay when he is stood in and a feed balancer he works really well in the school and jumping not getting stupid

 

[Leah3horses]

Sorry to hear about this,it does sound like something has frightened him.But first things first, I would get his eyes checked to make sure his vision hasn't altered as this could explain it.Is he perfectly normal with smaller vehicles and away from traffic?

Could it be possble that he has seen something scary happen on the road next to his field, a van skidding,a near miss between 2 vehicles or a vehicle and a horse? or even a collision,the screech of loud brakes,a van or lorry backfiring etc etc? If he is in a herd of horses something like this could make them bolt and he'd pick up from them the signs of danger at whatever they may have seen and heard. Hate to say it but are you sure nobody in a large vehicle has attempted to approach the horses (maybe even try to steal one?).This could really unsettle him.He is still young at 6,how long has this been happening for?When he has freaked out have you tried to force him on but he has refused?Have you used a crop/whip?If he is genuinely scared this wouldn't help, he needs a bit of re training to help him get his confidence back by the sounds of it, once you know his eyes and health are fine.

Try to get a van parked up and walk him in hand past it calmly and confidently and work up to bigger vehicles in time,slowly.When he loses his calm go back a step, take it slowly with him and he should get over this with your help ,stay quiet and patient.Don't 'baby' him, don't make a fuss and reassure him if he starts freaking,don't try to force him,just take a step back, let him stand there and regain his calm and walk a step nearer again,then quiet praise, just like with a weanling.End each session on a good note.Just try 5 minutes 2 or 3 times a day if you can. If you act confidently he will pick up on this , if you think 'oh no a van/lorry' then he will too.Really try the walking in hand exercises for a while (untill you can see a positive change)and just ride him round the yard/school/away from all traffic until he is calmer going past parked vans etc in hand.

It isn't working trying to ride him out on the road past large vehicles, and sounds pretty dangerous for you both, so you have nothing to lose by going back to basics..have had to do all this in the past myself with established horses and it does work.Do you do much groundwork with your horse as this will also help his confidence when out and about.pm me if you need any other info, be good to hear how you get on too.He sounds a great horse who was totally bombproof in traffic. He can be again, it will just take time and patience. Good luck!