Horse becoming dangerous

[Glitterandrainbows]

My horse has learned that is she rears and strikes I will let go I’ve tried not letting go and it made no difference I got her from a bad home and thought we were making great progress ( we were ) until the dentist come to check her teeth and now she’s even worse than she was before she’s become dangerous since the dentist came and I don’t know what to do when I say I’ve had everything checked I mean everything I’ve spent more money than I care to admit would you turn out ? Another vet check just incase ?

 

[Kaylum]

How is she dangerous?

 

[Dynamo]

Presumably this is when you're leading? What is your set-up? Are you on a livery yard, what sort and what sort of help is on hand? What sort of horse?

This sounds as though it's a training and confidence issue. You were making progress, and she's lost a bit of trust and got worse. Rather than spending money on more veterinary investigations, I would get some professional help with doing basic groundwork to establish trust between you and the horse, to develop your own handling skills and make sure you are safe. Groundwork can be really interesting and rewarding and is great for building your relationship with your horse, and for teaching the horse respect and obedience. It may be that in order to correct a bad habit, a chiffney or a chain over the nose is needed for a short time when you are leading, until boundaries are set and you are able to manage the horse in a consistent way that is pleasant for both of you. Basically, call in a good pro and get some help before you get hurt. And ALWAYS wear a hard hat and gloves.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Thankyou so much Dynamo I have asked on my livery yard if anyone knows of a decent trainer there doesn’t seem to be many about I’m in West Yorkshire if anyone can recommend one that would be great it’s definitely a confidence issue I got her of mark horses if anyone has heard of him on Facebook I knew I was taking a lot on and was up to the challenge it’s just the constant rearing in hand in the stable before the dentist I had actually done lots of ground work turned her away and had lightly brought her back into work on the recommendation of the physio as she came with saddle sores and she didn’t want her to be put off work fully so I did that all went well until I thought she was calm enough to have the dentist out.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I don’t know what to do when I say I’ve had everything checked I mean everything I’ve spent more money than I care to admit would you turn out ? Another vet check just incase ?

Just to check, when you say would you turn out? Do you mean she’s currently not getting turn out or asking whether turning away for a while might help?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Sorry I mean turning away she gets turned out 9-4 every day wish it was longer but nothing I can do when I first got her i turned out with three others her age and two older mates

 

[AmyMay]

Under what circumstances is she rearing? When you turn her out, or bring her in?

Is she turned out in company?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Yes she’s turned out into a herd of mares and was in quite a good routine and this past week the rearing has been constant it can be as simple as someone walking past her stable whilst I’m in there or a dog walking past on the way a friend passing rug change taking longer than she would like doesn’t want her head collar taking off in the stable and will rear if I take a second longer to do anything ugh sounds so bad but she is a sweet heart and I want to work through this with her and not sell a problem pony or let her be ruined !!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

How long have you had her for and how old is she?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

To be groomed she will stand all day to be platted bathed she loves it she loves mutual grooming she’s not 100% bad it’s just the random rears and the jumping that comes with them

 

[AmyMay]

So has her routine changed?

 

[Arzada]

Is she rearing only in the stable? Where else as well as the stable?

 

[Uliy]

If she is doing this while leading, I would only lead with helmet, gloves and lunge line. If she’s on a lunge line you can distance yourself from her while she does this, without letting go.

Your safety is paramount here, please be careful!

 

[PeterNatt]

What treatment did your Equine Dental Technician carry out on your horse and how did she behave while the treatment was being carried out?

 

[Polos Mum]

I'm west Yorkshire and sadly that dealer doesn't have the best of reputation.

I would try someone like Sally Mitchel or Adam Yates (both local) to get an independent view of her behaviour before you decide on the next step. It's really hard to judge what's going on from a few lines of description. a well regarded instructor / trainer will be able to make an informed view based on all the circumstances (age, stable location, general behaviour, feed, turnout, trigger for rearing, etc.)

 

[rabatsa]

I would recommend Guy Robertson to come and work with her. http://www.guyrobertsonhorsemanship.co.uk/

 

[rextherobber]

I also would be querying what the EDT did...One of mine did this when I first got her, it is a bit disconcerting to turn around from bolting a gate to find a pair of front hooves dangling in front of your face...echo the advice above, wear gloves and a helmet, use a lunge line so you can get clear but keep her with you. I just ignored it, timed it so as she came down I was back with her, we walked on immediately. Mine is the world's least patient, I don't know if it was intimidation or impatience . She also had a bad start, but she stopped this pretty quickly when it didn't get any reaction. We also did tons of groundwork, short sessions but several times a day, and just being quiet and consistent with her, ignore the bad, praise the good, and kept on with the routine of work. ( although I admit I absolutely dreaded bringing her in, it got better really quickly with repetition) Michael Peace videos and books are very helpful. Keep safe.

 

[Annagain]

I agree you need some professional help but in the mean time, if she only rears in the stable, for safety's sake I would do all handling while tied up on the yard (with some sort of breakaway or pull through in case she rears and pulls on the rope) and always with a hat on. If nothing else, you'll have more room to get out of the way if she goes up.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Polos mum I fully knew what I was walking into buying of him and I don’t regret buying her I just wondered how others would handle the rearing I’ve had sally mitchell out I’ll get her out again to see if she has any other ideas and look at the others Thankyou x

 

[AmyMay]

It’s still not really clear to me when the tearing is happening.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Rex the robber Thankyou so much that is exactly what I needed to hear as I too choose to ignore negative behaviour and praise good and have had people telling me to give her a ‘crack’ I won’t be at all. Really glad the ignoring and praising worked for you

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

@Amymay in a manger sorry she’s doing it when I’m leading or for example if I’m changing her rug in the morning and she wants to be straight out if I take too long undoing her head collar if we see a fluffy dog if someone dares to walk past the stable if my partners phone rings etc

 

[Bellaboo18]

So when you say you've had everything checked what have you had checked?
Scope for ulcers?
Back xrayed?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Not been scoped for ulcers she’s got a lovley shiny coat and is eating and drinking as she usually would I will get her scoped though if anyone comes along as says there horses were like this when they had ulcers hesitant to involve any more professionals after the dentist I was just trying to get her feeling her best and resulted in her now hating me ffs

 

[Bellaboo18]

Not been scoped for ulcers she’s got a lovley shiny coat and is eating and drinking as she usually would I will get her scoped though if anyone comes along as says there horses were like this when they had ulcers hesitant to involve any more professionals after the dentist I was just trying to get her feeling her best and resulted in her now hating me ffs

Her reaction is one of stress/pain. You'll find lots of horses with shiny coats, eating well that have ulcers, a dull coat is just one potential sign, they don't have to have every symptom. I'd say ulcers are highly likely.

 

[Kaylum]

Look up Steve Young Horsenanship on facebook and watch his videos. They are really good and there are rearing horses on there .

 

[AmyMay]

Her reaction is one of stress/pain. You'll find lots of horses with shiny coats, eating well that have ulcers, a dull coat is just one potential sign, they don't have to have every symptom. I'd say ulcers are highly likely.

Ulcers are a possibility. But equally she may also just be a stroppy madam.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

My horse had a horrific ulcers, you wouldn’t have known from his appearance though, he had a glossy coat, well muscled with decent topline and ate, well, like a horse! I tend to look at their reactions not their appearance these days.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Right thanks will call the vet in the morning I’ve spent more on her than I paid for her but etf

Look up Steve Young Horsenanship on facebook and watch his videos. They are really good and there are rearing horses on there .

Thanks I will I will get this horse relaxed again if it takes my whole life ?ffs! I’d love to know we’re mark horses got her from as she probably got sold to him for her crazy behaviour

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

My horse had a horrific ulcers, you wouldn’t have known from his appearance though, he had a glossy coat, well muscled with decent topline and ate, well, like a horse! I tend to look at their reactions not their appearance these days.

What was he she like with lunging roller/girth? X