Horse becoming dangerous

[Bellaboo18]

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

It's a personal niggle when people say I've checked absolutely everything, there's no way their in pain etc etc then turns out they've not even seen the vet ?

 

[AmyMay]

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

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

You should be able to trace her history via her passport.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

She had no passport she wasn’t even vaccinated I had to start from scratch with her x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

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

He was girthy to tack up as in he’d pull a face, but was workmanlike once the tack was on. Once we’d addressed the ulcers I came to realise he’d actually been fairly fixed through his back (like slightly handbraky/not fully through), but as an amateur I didn’t fully recognise that until we’d treated the ulcers and I suddenly had a completely different horse.

 

[babymare]

I cannot give advice on trainers etc but please wear a good hard hat, gloves and good protective foot wear. Stay safe x

 

[stangs]

Definitely sounds like stress/anxiety. What's your yard like - busy? Wondering whether her current environment is stressing her out (trigger stacking) such that small things like a phone ringing result in threshold overload. Now whether that might have caused ulcers, or whether the ulcers were there to begin with and exasperated the behaviour... - but, either way, I'd suspect ulcers, especially if she's not out for very long.

Was she sedated for the dentist?
Does the behaviour get worse around the time of her seasons?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I wouldn’t say it’s a busy yard no she wasn’t sedated dentist said she would be fine do you think I should have pushed for sedation? no change around her seasons

 

[AmyMay]

How did she behave for the dentist?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

She reared twice but dentist said she had seen worse x

 

[AmyMay]

She reared twice but dentist said she had seen worse x

Were you there?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Yes I was there with her she rested her head in me actually if I felt like it was too much for her I would of told her to stop at a good point but it seemed to go ok

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

So I’ve gone researching on the internet it’s saying from quite a few sources ulcers are secondary pain when she came she had a tight back saddle sores worms etc and has lost some baby teeth would they of been enough to cause ulcers

 

[FestiveFuzz]

So I’ve gone researching on the internet it’s saying from quite a few sources ulcers are secondary pain when she came she had a tight back saddle sores worms etc and has lost some baby teeth would they of been enough to cause ulcers or would you be looking at getting her back x rayed

I tend to think in most cases that ulcers are a secondary symptom for pain elsewhere, but in order to get to the bottom of what the primary cause may be you’d be best off with a full performance work up.

 

[AmyMay]

How old is she?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I’ve asked the physio to come out tommorow and I’ll see what she thinks also ringing the vet in the morning to get the scope sorted physio was happy with her when she came out 12 weeks ago so we’ll see what she says as she is very good I’ll let you all know fingers crossed she’s just giving me a hard time because of her past and she’s not in pain

 

[TwyfordM]

Could be hormone related?
My mare goes a bit cranky and loves a good rear and strike out when her cushings levels are off ??‍

 

[Clodagh]

It seems odd she was fine before EDT. Maybe a sharp tooth edge that is catching with the head collar pressure? Or soreness over her poll from the gag?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Dentist has said this isn’t the case it’s like the trust has gone and she doesn’t trust me any more unfortunately I’ll get her health checked all again to see if something is bothering her I took her for a walk out to do some bonding and previously she’s been fine doing this and has enjoyed it she went to bolt twice and reared next to a lorry when we were on the round where before she wouldn’t of done this

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Road sorry ** I didn’t take her far was just bad luck we seen a lorry

 

[AmyMay]

You haven’t said how old she is or how long you’ve had her for.

 

[JackFrost]

I wouldn’t say it’s a busy yard no she wasn’t sedated dentist said she would be fine do you think I should have pushed for sedation? no change around her seasons

Yes (with hindsight). I do think this could be quite traumatic for some horses. The dentist may have seen worse, but rearing is pretty extreme. Do you ever see the difficult behaviour when she is not wearing a headcollar or bridle? I am wondering if she has come to associate these with fear and perhaps pain from the dental visit.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Yes she does it loose in the stable if something happens that scares her and she has done it at bringing in time whe other horses about

 

[Equi]

It might be helpful to have someone take a video of you both, from start to finish of you just doing your normal routine. It will help a trainer or vet see what’s going on when they may not in real life due to time pressures.

I don’t think you should be thinking about trust issues. It’s a red herring. There is something physically going on and could be making her psychologically overwhelmed. She’s currently in the red zone and just not trusting you after a dental exam won’t be making her like that. The bigger picture will be what’s happening physically and environmentally (maybe she really hates the yard/stable/routine)

if the physical is all ruled out the only other thing to try is a new routine or yard. Trainers can help in a million ways but if the root cause isn’t found it’s throwing money away.

 

[eggs]

I agree with ME - it isn't a trust issue you have here. Get a proper vet work up and see what that finds.

 

[Landcruiser]

I have questions...
How old is she?
What level of training is she supposed to have? Ridden?
Why did you buy a horse without a passport (which is a legal requirement?)
Are you a genuine poster or a timewaster. Forgive me if the former, but you are not answering questions and it's not adding up.

 

[Equi]

Also what is she being fed? Not sure if that’s been answered yet.

 

[planete]

My ex RSPCA cob will rear if he objects to something. He does it quite safely, keeping his front legs tucked neatly against his chest, not aggressively. It is simply his way of communicating his objection and can be overcome by luring him to accept the situation with a treat and a pat most of the time. A young horse who discovers rearing can become quite fond of the effect it can have on humans too and it can be just a phase started by something like an untranquilised dental for instance or a handler over reacting. Get some help to show you how to handle this safely and calmly. The less effect the horse thinks the rearing is having the less likely he is to carry on doing it. My lipi/arab went through a similar phase at livery when handled by the grooms. I took over turning him out myself for a few weeks when he did it and he soon stopped as I just ignored his idiocy but put him to work every time. Not saying it is the case for this horse but worth considering. Horses can be very clever and get stroppy of their own bat.

Edited: I realise most people will think I am rewarding the rearing but consider that last week the vet unsuccessfully tried to inject the cob (full rear repeated as needed), then tried to twitch him (could not get near his nose), then carried out an intravenous injection with a quiet pony eating out of my hand.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

@planete i do just that and it’s making no difference she’s just bit me aswell physios coming today and vets calling me back if she’s in no pain I will turn her away either way as I feel she needs a mental break then try quite handling again late summer

 

[Polos Mum]

OP, not sure if this is a real post or not but a vet won't be able to judge on the phone if she's in pain, indeed even with extensive investigations it's really hard to find some times.
One thing I can guarantee is that irrespective of whether it's pain, learned behaviour or being a little S*&% ignoring her in the field until the summer will be of no help at all. It will likely only get worse if ignored.

I would really get some professional assessment of what is going on - and don't be afraid to admit her issues are beyond you if that is the case. No harm at all in accepting your own limitations and seeing if there is someone better for her and for your safety / wellbeing.

 

[Bellaboo18]

@planete i do just that and it’s making no difference she’s just bit me aswell physios coming today and vets calling me back if she’s in no pain I will turn her away either way as I feel she needs a mental break then try quite handling again late summer

Pain is not always quick to find