horse hates being groomed/rugged, touched etc

[TPO]

The forum is great for learning things but there are too many gaps in your knowledge as a very novice first time horse owner for it to be safe for you to rely on a forum

This is why I haven't replied to your PM

I don't know where to start. I don't believe that you have the experience to evaluate your own knowledge or experience to establish a starting point.

Either you are picking professionals up completely wrong/misunderstanding them or you are surrounded by an incompetent YO, vet and physio. It doesn't sound like you have a good trainer on board or any goof support from a knowledgeable adult.

From what you've written I don't believe that you are ready to own a horse. I'll probably get run off the forum by the usual suspects for saying that. I also don't think you're in a position to sell the horse into the right home. You really need more input from your parents, despite them not being horsey they hold the purse strings. £360 for the scope is small fry when it comes to horses and vet bills. I don't think your parents have entered into ownership knowingly. They have to be made aware ASAP because the horse shouldt be left in limbo down to finances.

It's way out of my depth. I hope that there's someone on here near King's Lynn that's good with kids.

 

[misst]

This is why I haven't replied to your PM

I don't know where to start. I don't believe that you have the experience to evaluate your own knowledge or experience to establish a starting point.

Either you are picking professionals up completely wrong/misunderstanding them or you are surrounded by an incompetent YO, vet and physio. It doesn't sound like you have a good trainer on board or any goof support from a knowledgeable adult.

From what you've written I don't believe that you are ready to own a horse. I'll probably get run off the forum by the usual suspects for saying that. I also don't think you're in a position to sell the horse into the right home. You really need more input from your parents, despite them not being horsey they hold the purse strings. £360 for the scope is small fry when it comes to horses and vet bills. I don't think your parents have entered into ownership knowingly. They have to be made aware ASAP because the horse shouldt be left in limbo down to finances.

It's way out of my depth. I hope that there's someone on here near King's Lynn that's good with kids.

You and ycbm are right. I'm sorry I suggested a PM. I feel so sorry for the OP and even more sorry for her horse. It is frightening how easy it is to buy a horse. I do think the family have been duped by someone if all the OP says if correct. I for one would not "run you off". Your honesty is refreshing. I guess I was a bit too afraid to say what I really wanted to. I know this horse sounds as if he has pretty complex problems. He doesn't sound as if he was sold with full disclosure and I wonder about the "vetting" too.

We had a horse on a yard with a very nice YO. She was friends with a dealer who was friends with the local vet. Several of her liveries were people she had given lessons to herself and then encouraged to buy horses, vetted of course by her vet and sold by dealer friend. Outside looking in it was very obvious that all these horses had longstanding problems usually with hind legs, SI joints and front feet. They never had bloods done and presented with lots of behavioural problems 2 to 6 weeks down the line. The owners were too inexperienced to spot subtle lameness or changes in ridden behaviour and relied on the YO for advice. We left the yard as I couldn't bear to watch anymore. The owners had no one to turn to and the horses soldiered on. Lots of people "knew" but no one wanted to know. One lady was dreadfully injured on a hack where her horse threw her. The horse had mulitple problems and was a 7yo nice looking WB that she paid a lot of money for.

If this horse was in Surrey I would be wondering if it was on our old yard!

I don't think this will end well.

 

[ycbm]

This is why I haven't replied to your PM

I don't know where to start. I don't believe that you have the experience to evaluate your own knowledge or experience to establish a starting point.

Either you are picking professionals up completely wrong/misunderstanding them or you are surrounded by an incompetent YO, vet and physio. It doesn't sound like you have a good trainer on board or any goof support from a knowledgeable adult.

From what you've written I don't believe that you are ready to own a horse. I'll probably get run off the forum by the usual suspects for saying that. I also don't think you're in a position to sell the horse into the right home. You really need more input from your parents, despite them not being horsey they hold the purse strings. £360 for the scope is small fry when it comes to horses and vet bills. I don't think your parents have entered into ownership knowingly. They have to be made aware ASAP because the horse shouldt be left in limbo down to finances.

It's way out of my depth. I hope that there's someone on here near King's Lynn that's good with kids.

I agree with every word and I have also now told Axe by PM that I can't answer her questions, the situation is too complex and she needs trustworthy advice from multiple people, in person.

I very much fear that the horse was missold to naive and well meaning parents.
.

 

[southerncomfort]

100% agree with PAS. This is excellent advice.

Axe, you're getting in a pickle because you're trying to change everything all at once.

Follow the advice below and when your horse is free of laminitis then you can move on to the next thing I.e scoping for ulcers.

I agree with ycbm about not relying on a forum but You can be pretty sure that if most/multiple posters are saying the same thing, you can trust that it is worth trying.
So;
no hard feed for a recovering laminitic,
no alfalfa, if you need a chaff to feed bute in, use a small amount if a grass chaff, such as Emerald Green
No Likkits, or molasses in any form
Push for ulcer investigations
Ask for local recommendations for a reliable equine vet
Are all things that multiple posters have advised

 

[m.l.c coloured]

I understand how the op feels when trying to get through to parents,my mother got me a pony when I was a kid although she was very good with animals as in general care she wasn't horsey and trying to explain to her something wasn't right with the pony when I rode him which then escalated to handling of him was like trying to talk to a brick wall - a 9 year old kid knows nothing and he doesn't need a vet etc or I was doing something to upset him blah blah I would just sit in his stable and cry.she sort of came across as I got you a pony stop being ungrateful. Said pony came from 'a friend ' who knew she wanted a pony for me so went to local market and picked him up cheap and made a profit obviously didn't give a crap if I got injured etc

 

[m.l.c coloured]

God that sounds like I'm really mum bashing

 

[axe1312]

How can i bring him offf food, when all the help on the ground is saying up his food? I'm so so confused. My instructer is very very experienced, she has a livery, breeds and sells horse, and teaches. Unfortunately I couldn't stay at her livery as it was too far. So we are with a friend, who isnt a livery. But she said she did an equine coarse in uni for about 4 years. Overall she isn't very experienced. But our physio is my instructers physio. The vet and farrier is my yo's. And the saddler is my instructers. I've inquired on other vets pricing, to see if we can get the scope cheaper, but tbh the only one within an hour is the one we are with.

 

[Birker2020]

If your vet said this then you need a new vet

deleted

 

[southerncomfort]

How can i bring him offf food, when all the help on the ground is saying up his food? I'm so so confused. My instructer is very very experienced, she has a livery, breeds and sells horse, and teaches. Unfortunately I couldn't stay at her livery as it was too far. So we are with a friend, who isnt a livery. But she said she did an equine coarse in uni for about 4 years. Overall she isn't very experienced. But our physio is my instructers physio. The vet and farrier is my yo's. And the saddler is my instructers. I've inquired on other vets pricing, to see if we can get the scope cheaper, but tbh the only one within an hour is the one we are with.

But think about it logically. Your horse is doing no work. Therefore the energy provided by hay is more than enough for his needs.

A laminitic horse needs a low sugar, low starch, forage based diet I.e hay.

 

[Phoenix/Max]

My ISH used to be very antsy about being groomed especially around his tummy area. I tried so many different brushes with no success. Purely for a completely different reason I was advised by Allen and Page to start him on Sooth and Gain, and the difference in him allowing me to groom him around the tummy area is amazing. The kicking, the tail swishing and the general demeanour is so different and I am absolutely convinced that he had a sore tummy.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

How can i bring him offf food, when all the help on the ground is saying up his food? I'm so so confused. My instructer is very very experienced, she has a livery, breeds and sells horse, and teaches. Unfortunately I couldn't stay at her livery as it was too far. So we are with a friend, who isnt a livery. But she said she did an equine coarse in uni for about 4 years. Overall she isn't very experienced. But our physio is my instructers physio. The vet and farrier is my yo's. And the saddler is my instructers. I've inquired on other vets pricing, to see if we can get the scope cheaper, but tbh the only one within an hour is the one we are with.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that even one let alone several, experienced people, including professionals are telling you to give a horse recovering from laminitis and, in fact, still on box-rest, more food. They may be advising more hay, I would probably soak it in order to give him more or mix it with plain oat straw chaff, or both, in order to stop him feeling hungry. I suggest you have a look on Facebook for knowledgeable advice o dealing with laminitis. Or have a look at The Laminitis Trust website at least then you will have something to show these people who are advising you to do completely the wrong thing. Do you realise that feeding the wrong food to laminitics can kill them?

 

[misst]

I am honestly in despair at this. If what you are saying OP is really true then the people around you are frighteningly wrong. As Pearlsasinger says there is a facebook site for laminitis advice and the Laminitis Trust is absolutely to be trusted. As for everything else - I realise you are young and confused but you are going to have to step up for your horse, get yourself some proper information and some proper support. If you cannot do this then you cannot help your poor horse. If everything posted on here doesn't convince you that people believe he is suffering then I don't know what will. Have you shown any of this to your parents? Surely they can see a pattern in replies. You can search topics on here like laminitis, ulcers, behavioural problems - the advice is pretty consistent year in year out. Does none of this make you and them realise what a seriously awful situation your horse is in. Please change vets, change YO and get this poor lad sorted.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It might be best to walk away from this, misst. Not because you don't care, but because you do .

Poor ruddy horse.

 

[olop]

I feel very sorry for this poor horse, he is screaming something is wrong and nothing is being done.

When I was 15 I desperately wanted a horse, mum and dad could afford to keep one but couldn’t afford things if they went wrong, so rightly said no.

I can’t believe any vet has given the advice they have to you and if they have they shouldn’t be a vet!
£360 for a scope is fairly expensive, mine was £130 but he had it done at home so no expense for him being at clinic. But if my horse was behaving like yours I’d find the money to pay it.
And I wouldn’t be feeding him anything different for now, would probably make any ulcers worse messing around with diet. He needs the scope.

 

[misst]

It might be best to walk away from this, misst. Not because you don't care, but because you do .

Poor ruddy horse.

Sadly I think you're right. It just makes me sick to my stomach to imagine what is happening to this poor horse. I wish I thought the OP was a troll - but I don't

 

[Landcruiser]

Sadly I think you're right. It just makes me sick to my stomach to imagine what is happening to this poor horse. I wish I thought the OP was a troll - but I don't

I do.

 

[misst]

Landcruiser I hope so

 

[stangs]

WHW’s Hall Farm isn’t far from you. It might be worth contacting them to see if they can provide any advice/recommend professionals in the area.

Also worth considering that the kindest thing you can do for this horse might well be signing him over to the WHW.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I do.

As I said, I find it unbelievable that all those experienced professionals don't seem to know how to feed a laminitic. The vet has been described as an equine specialist. Is that really possible?

 

[nagblagger]

WHW’s Hall Farm isn’t far from you. It might be worth contacting them to see if they can provide any advice/recommend professionals in the area.

Also worth considering that the kindest thing you can do for this horse might well be signing him over to the WHW.

I was going to write similar.
If this is not a troll, there is a poor horse stuck in a stable being fed ++
I will not be reading anymore of this thread because it is just upsetting, frustrating and cruel, (almost worth reporting to RSPCA)

 

[axe1312]

I find it extremely difficult to believe that even one let alone several, experienced people, including professionals are telling you to give a horse recovering from laminitis and, in fact, still on box-rest, more food. They may be advising more hay, I would probably soak it in order to give him more or mix it with plain oat straw chaff, or both, in order to stop him feeling hungry. I suggest you have a look on Facebook for knowledgeable advice o dealing with laminitis. Or have a look at The Laminitis Trust website at least then you will have something to show these people who are advising you to do completely the wrong thing. Do you realise that feeding the wrong food to laminitics can kill them?

But I was told his condition is so bad he looks unwell. You could see all his bones. Sinse upping his food, he looks alot better. We took him off food that's why he dropped his weight dramatically

 

[axe1312]

I am honestly in despair at this. If what you are saying OP is really true then the people around you are frighteningly wrong. As Pearlsasinger says there is a facebook site for laminitis advice and the Laminitis Trust is absolutely to be trusted. As for everything else - I realise you are young and confused but you are going to have to step up for your horse, get yourself some proper information and some proper support. If you cannot do this then you cannot help your poor horse. If everything posted on here doesn't convince you that people believe he is suffering then I don't know what will. Have you shown any of this to your parents? Surely they can see a pattern in replies. You can search topics on here like laminitis, ulcers, behavioural problems - the advice is pretty consistent year in year out. Does none of this make you and them realise what a seriously awful situation your horse is in. Please change vets, change YO and get this poor lad sorted.

There is no other vet in my area.

 

[axe1312]

I feel very sorry for this poor horse, he is screaming something is wrong and nothing is being done.

When I was 15 I desperately wanted a horse, mum and dad could afford to keep one but couldn’t afford things if they went wrong, so rightly said no.

I can’t believe any vet has given the advice they have to you and if they have they shouldn’t be a vet!
£360 for a scope is fairly expensive, mine was £130 but he had it done at home so no expense for him being at clinic. But if my horse was behaving like yours I’d find the money to pay it.
And I wouldn’t be feeding him anything different for now, would probably make any ulcers worse messing around with diet. He needs the scope.

I'm going to save up. As my parents are going with the yo advice and don't believe me or the Internet. I'm also looking at travelling him over a hour to get a different vet, but we can't change as they won't come out that far. Our current vet is 40mins. That's the closest we have

 

[axe1312]

I was going to write similar.
If this is not a troll, there is a poor horse stuck in a stable being fed ++
I will not be reading anymore of this thread because it is just upsetting, frustrating and cruel, (almost worth reporting to RSPCA)

Don't you dare. He is in good hand. I'm bending over backwards for him. I working while I'll to pay for this scope. We're paying alot of vet and farrier bills for him atm. We can afford a scope but my parents won't do it, as the yo said he doesn't have ulcers. But mum has listened to me and Google and is considering it, but the vet said try coligone first. So we are listening to the vet. He has everything a horse could want. Problem is the vet doesn't think he has ulcers, because she felt over his whole body, no reaction. Mum touches him no reaction, same for dad, brother, yo etc. It's only me he reacts to. But if you all think he has ulcers, I will get him a scope, after we try coligone. I'm sorry ok, but I'm trying my best, so are my family. My dogs poorly with 4000 mri, 7000 operation, and £100 meds a month. On top of that, JJ with shoes every 4 week, bute, vet bills, extra bedding etc. We're losing money quicker than were earning. I'm working my arse off for this scope, may I add while struggling with a respiratory infection with asthma. Spending the rest of the day caring for JJ. And then have 6 hours sleep. Ok, none of you can see behind my phone, what's really going on. Some of you have given advice kindly. Others are just plain right disrespectful. And uncaring. He only ever his symptoms with me, and when tied up, or with another horse. In the field, or loose in the stable he's fine. With everyone else he's fine. It's when I groom him, he doesn't like it, and when anyone touches his withers. He's the same with his feet for me. He knows I love him, he knows he can play me up.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Don't you dare. He is in good hand. I'm bending over backwards for him. I working while I'll to pay for this scope. We're paying alot of vet and farrier bills for him atm. We can afford a scope but my parents won't do it, as the yo said he doesn't have ulcers. But mum has listened to me and Google and is considering it, but the vet said try coligone first. So we are listening to the vet. He has everything a horse could want. Problem is the vet doesn't think he has ulcers, because she felt over his whole body, no reaction. Mum touches him no reaction, same for dad, brother, yo etc. It's only me he reacts to. But if you all think he has ulcers, I will get him a scope, after we try coligone. I'm sorry ok, but I'm trying my best, so are my family. My dogs poorly with 4000 mri, 7000 operation, and £100 meds a month. On top of that, JJ with shoes every 4 week, bute, vet bills, extra bedding etc. We're losing money quicker than were earning. I'm working my arse off for this scope, may I add while struggling with a respiratory infection with asthma. Spending the rest of the day caring for JJ. And then have 6 hours sleep. Ok, none of you can see behind my phone, what's really going on. Some of you have given advice kindly. Others are just plain right disrespectful. And uncaring. He only ever his symptoms with me, and when tied up, or with another horse. In the field, or loose in the stable he's fine. With everyone else he's fine. It's when I groom him, he doesn't like it, and when anyone touches his withers. He's the same with his feet for me. He knows I love him, he knows he can play me up.

This just doesn't make sense....
I hope you get the answers you're searching for

 

[stangs]

He knows I love him, he knows he can play me up.

This isn't a thing. Either something in your behaviour (or possibly smell?) is making him uncomfortable, or he feels more able to express himself around you and therefore only shows you he's uncomfortable.

 

[blitznbobs]

Don't you dare. He is in good hand. I'm bending over backwards for him. I working while I'll to pay for this scope. We're paying alot of vet and farrier bills for him atm. We can afford a scope but my parents won't do it, as the yo said he doesn't have ulcers. But mum has listened to me and Google and is considering it, but the vet said try coligone first. So we are listening to the vet. He has everything a horse could want. Problem is the vet doesn't think he has ulcers, because she felt over his whole body, no reaction. Mum touches him no reaction, same for dad, brother, yo etc. It's only me he reacts to. But if you all think he has ulcers, I will get him a scope, after we try coligone. I'm sorry ok, but I'm trying my best, so are my family. My dogs poorly with 4000 mri, 7000 operation, and £100 meds a month. On top of that, JJ with shoes every 4 week, bute, vet bills, extra bedding etc. We're losing money quicker than were earning. I'm working my arse off for this scope, may I add while struggling with a respiratory infection with asthma. Spending the rest of the day caring for JJ. And then have 6 hours sleep. Ok, none of you can see behind my phone, what's really going on. Some of you have given advice kindly. Others are just plain right disrespectful. And uncaring. He only ever his symptoms with me, and when tied up, or with another horse. In the field, or loose in the stable he's fine. With everyone else he's fine. It's when I groom him, he doesn't like it, and when anyone touches his withers. He's the same with his feet for me. He knows I love him, he knows he can play me up.

This thread is distressing on so many levels 1 i seriously hope that trolls are involved

 

[Tiddlypom]

We are going round in circles. Endless advice offered and dismissed as being not possible to implement it.

I too hope that it is just a nasty little troll.

UI is the way forward, I think, for those who don't want any more of this distressing nonsense .

 

[ycbm]

But I was told his condition is so bad he looks unwell. You could see all his bones. Sinse upping his food, he looks alot better. We took him off food that's why he dropped his weight dramatically

Losing weight is a symptom of ulcers and pain.

 

[axe1312]

Losing weight is a symptom of ulcers and pain.

Yes I read that. But he only lost weight when we didn't feed him, is that normal? Like I said he will be getting scope anyway