Hormonal & Increasingly Difficult Ex Racehorse

[lucydvs]

I have a 7 year old Tb that I have had for nearly 4 years. I have never rushed her and I know her history back to a baby and I used to work with racehorses.
She is extremely hormonal and stroppy for a lot of the year round. I have discounted ill fitting tack, back problems and teeth and she's never been ill treated. In fact she's a princess. She is just difficult!!!!
She is not always a complete cow but I seem to have more bad days than good. She nips and kicks when i'm doing her girth or rugs up which I am very gentle about. She becomes increasingly nappy when out on hacks which when challenged rears and spins. She bucks during canter when schooling. (This is not terrible and she doesnt do it a shows) Headshakes and has her ears flat back at points during schooling. She takes a good 40 minutes to work her in and the work can be good but not consistant. I must point out this is not all the time.
She gets very heavily in season and has been known to rear and ping around on the end of the lead rope when lead in and out.
She seems to evade all the hard work I put in and I have had lessons etc so I know its nothing i'm doing wrong. I know there is potential in there and i'm determined not to give up. I've tried hormone supplements which don't seem to help and there seems to be conflicting advice on here about those.
I've heard there is hormone screening you can have with the vets has anyone have an experience with this or even any suggestions?!!
I'm getting to the end of my tether and its so soul destroying I don't know what else I can do.

 

[flintfootfilly]

Poor thing sounds like she's been saying very clearly that she's uncomfortable. Sad thing is a lot of horses stay too "polite" when riders/handlers ignore their more subtle protestations that something's wrong. If they did something more dramatic, owners would be more likely to get the vet out sooner instead of stabbing in the dark with supplements.

Oh, or am I jumping to conclusions? Were they supplements that the vet prescribed having thoroughly examined her? Or were they just off the shelf supplements which may or may not have been geared to whatever her underlying problem is?

You say you've ruled out back pain. Does that mean you took her to a reputable orthopoedic vet? If not, then I would not feel able to rule out back pain at all. Sadly, there are too many folk around (professionals and amateurs alike) who think that because they can't pinpoint a problem, there is no problem. And also sadly, too many folk seem to think that horses are just being "naughty" rather than trying to encourage the owner to seek professional help to unravel what is causing the unwanted behaviour. Pain accounts for a lot, and if you only listen to one opinion, listen to that of your horse above anyone else. Your horse will be honest with you.

I'd start by putting together a comprehensive history of her, being as objective as possible. Especially important will be whether she has always had these difficulties, or whether there was a time when she was comfortable and happy in her work.

I'd then start with the vet coming out and doing at the very least a comprehensive blood test including muscle enzymes (maybe also including inhibin, in case there's an ovarian tumour), and I'd be considering having her scoped for gastric ulcers and rectalled/ultrasounded for ovarian stuff. Blood tests can be really helpful in directing further investigations if it's not immediately apparent what is wrong.

Will be interested to hear what others suggest, and I hope you find the cause and are able to help her be more comfortable.

Sarah

 

[lucydvs]

Shes most definately not in pain back or teeth wise. I have all mine checked regularly by very experienced and reputable specialists in both neither is it ill fitting tack etc.

I have called the vets today to carry out a ultra sound scan as I think its definately hormone related. Im also thinking cysts. This will at least rule out medical issues. Failing that she's just a pain in the backside.

Ive tried off the shelf hormone supplements this is why i'm going down the vet route. You have to understand she does not carry on like this all the time. Sometimes she can be lovely.

I will keep you posted.