HannahKate98
Active Member
6 y/o OTTB Gelding, I had him fresh off the track June 2023, he was let down before having a month of professional schooling while I was away in the States late October. On returning home his work was kept up with and he showed a preference for being turned out 24/7, access to shelter at all times. Unfortunately seemingly overnight early December he developed a severe case of rain rot, vet called the second I saw it and a treatment plan of; Bute, Hibi scrub washes, drying, grooming and antibiotics got it sorted however this is where the problem started. Understandably the washes were uncomfortable as was the grooming to help remove the old scabs etc. On occasion his rear legs would come up and it was a clear ‘OUCH THAT HURT’ reaction, so I’d proceed to stay where I was but not touch the area causing the pain anymore that day, pat him elsewhere and continue grooming unaffected areas - my thinking was if I move away and stop every time a leg is raised he’ll learn that’s a good way to get what he wants. But I made sure never to force him through painful sessions.
He’s since been groomed and ridden no real issues, a distaste for currying over his rump where the worst of the rain rot was but absolutely zero issues with his skin now.
He’s had 2 months of in at night out during the day with a companion and he’s been excellent, not pushy to handle, happy having rugs changed etc. he’s now turned out 24/7 while it’s dry, anyway this all seemed perfect, until….
3 days ago he was stood unrugged enjoying the sun, I smoothed him and noticed a wad of loose hair bunched at his flank (completely loose) I thought I’d do him a favour and take it off him, as I said it wasn’t attached not even by a single hair - HE DIDN’T JUST RAISE A LEG OR TWITCH HE FULLY AIMED AND LASHED OUT AT ME WITH TWO SWIFT SIDE SWIPES. He missed but the intention was clear. I hadn’t shocked him, he was aware of my presence. Not normal behaviour for him.
Yesterday. Yesterday was UNREAL. Same old routine, fed in the morning out in the paddock, companion keeps her distance, Quick Look over for cuts etc then I leave until the evening checks. Evenings are when he gets more fuss as time allows and he generally gets a good scratch/pat and small groom. Not yesterday. He approached with his usual eager walk, approached me and didn’t flinch as I smoothed his forehead, ran my hand along his neck and over his back, SUDDENLY THE BACK LEG CAME UP AND OUT TOWARD ME. Okay, I’ll go back to his head and he was happy with that with that THE BEAST WAS UNLEASHED - BACK LEG COMING FORWARD TOWARD ME, EARS FLAT TO HIS NECK, HE BIT AND WOULD NOT LET GO OF MY BACKSIDE (THANK GOD I TURNED AS HE WAS GOING FOR MY BONEY SHOULDER), WHILE HOLDING ONTO MY BACKSIDE AND BREAKING THE SKIN HE WAS STRIKING OUT REPEATEDLY WITH HIS FORELEGS. He backed off almost as quickly as he began. My husband watched it all play out and he said there were no warning signs other than the first rear leg. He was relaxed directly before, happy and wanting a fuss. I’ve been around horses all my life if ears go back I know to move, as I did with the rear leg warning.
What an earth do I do to work with this. His feed is minimal and all gut friendly for ulcer prone horses due to him being an ex racer that’s what all my OTTBs are on unless they require more. He’s a good doer so he’s simply having a handful and some linseed for coat/skin condition. His feed hasn’t changed. He’s on grass 24/7, if in he has 2x 12kg haynets at differing heights so he can mooch around for food and they never run out. He’s happy on the lunge, great under saddle, farrier 2 weeks ago, dental 5 weeks ago, zero signs of lameness or other health concerns even his skin what I managed to feel in those few seconds felt fine, just suddenly freaking out being touched.
HOW, HOW ON EARTH DO I WORK WITH THIS?! I have an almost 3 year old son who’s allowed nowhere near this horse now and likely won’t be again because he’ll never be able to be trusted around my child after yesterday’s outburst. Thankfully it’s my own yard so my family have been made aware not to enter his paddock/stall.
Someone please offer some advice, if this is residual tension/fear from the rain rot discomfort how do I go about letting him know the pain has gone, we aren’t there to cause pain, I’m never there to hurt/stress/upset him. Desperately need advice with this.
He’s since been groomed and ridden no real issues, a distaste for currying over his rump where the worst of the rain rot was but absolutely zero issues with his skin now.
He’s had 2 months of in at night out during the day with a companion and he’s been excellent, not pushy to handle, happy having rugs changed etc. he’s now turned out 24/7 while it’s dry, anyway this all seemed perfect, until….
3 days ago he was stood unrugged enjoying the sun, I smoothed him and noticed a wad of loose hair bunched at his flank (completely loose) I thought I’d do him a favour and take it off him, as I said it wasn’t attached not even by a single hair - HE DIDN’T JUST RAISE A LEG OR TWITCH HE FULLY AIMED AND LASHED OUT AT ME WITH TWO SWIFT SIDE SWIPES. He missed but the intention was clear. I hadn’t shocked him, he was aware of my presence. Not normal behaviour for him.
Yesterday. Yesterday was UNREAL. Same old routine, fed in the morning out in the paddock, companion keeps her distance, Quick Look over for cuts etc then I leave until the evening checks. Evenings are when he gets more fuss as time allows and he generally gets a good scratch/pat and small groom. Not yesterday. He approached with his usual eager walk, approached me and didn’t flinch as I smoothed his forehead, ran my hand along his neck and over his back, SUDDENLY THE BACK LEG CAME UP AND OUT TOWARD ME. Okay, I’ll go back to his head and he was happy with that with that THE BEAST WAS UNLEASHED - BACK LEG COMING FORWARD TOWARD ME, EARS FLAT TO HIS NECK, HE BIT AND WOULD NOT LET GO OF MY BACKSIDE (THANK GOD I TURNED AS HE WAS GOING FOR MY BONEY SHOULDER), WHILE HOLDING ONTO MY BACKSIDE AND BREAKING THE SKIN HE WAS STRIKING OUT REPEATEDLY WITH HIS FORELEGS. He backed off almost as quickly as he began. My husband watched it all play out and he said there were no warning signs other than the first rear leg. He was relaxed directly before, happy and wanting a fuss. I’ve been around horses all my life if ears go back I know to move, as I did with the rear leg warning.
What an earth do I do to work with this. His feed is minimal and all gut friendly for ulcer prone horses due to him being an ex racer that’s what all my OTTBs are on unless they require more. He’s a good doer so he’s simply having a handful and some linseed for coat/skin condition. His feed hasn’t changed. He’s on grass 24/7, if in he has 2x 12kg haynets at differing heights so he can mooch around for food and they never run out. He’s happy on the lunge, great under saddle, farrier 2 weeks ago, dental 5 weeks ago, zero signs of lameness or other health concerns even his skin what I managed to feel in those few seconds felt fine, just suddenly freaking out being touched.
HOW, HOW ON EARTH DO I WORK WITH THIS?! I have an almost 3 year old son who’s allowed nowhere near this horse now and likely won’t be again because he’ll never be able to be trusted around my child after yesterday’s outburst. Thankfully it’s my own yard so my family have been made aware not to enter his paddock/stall.
Someone please offer some advice, if this is residual tension/fear from the rain rot discomfort how do I go about letting him know the pain has gone, we aren’t there to cause pain, I’m never there to hurt/stress/upset him. Desperately need advice with this.
