Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
That really, really won't help x
horse is suddenly acting weird, need help....
- Thread starter axe1312
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Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
Gorgeous name by the way. Both long and short versions.
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
No but in the great scheme of things stallions want to be with mares and will fight other males that could be between them and the mares. That is why the stallion is kept in the stable, instead of out in the herd. Even though your horse is a gelding, he will feel threatened by the stallion.
I would remove the likkit from the stable, they are full if sugar, its like giving a child dozens of blue Smarties.
axe1312
Well-Known Member
i know, i really do. i just cant help it. im an anxious wreck. im gunna turn my laptop off, and hopefully jj will feel better and happier on his own. thank you so much ambers echo, and i cant remember the other 2 names, but thank you so much to the people have helped, and ill let you know and send a picture of him in a few days, once ive taken one big breathe
axe1312
Well-Known Member
when he finishes it, thats the only one he is having, and he doesnt lik it much, its just something that he licks when he is bored.
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
axe1312 - having read through this thread again, and seeing further information I would like to apologise if my reply upset you in any way. The first few posts you made did make me truly believe this horse needs a vet very quickly.
I am sorry that was the wrong advice to give you, reading other people's thoughts and more information that you have since given I am also inclined to agree you are perhaps being a little over anxious with your wish to ensure he has the very best possible care. I also now think he will probably settle again given time and patience and less food while you are not able to exercise him, I would just add fill him up on hay not grain feeds until you are able to exercise him more, but gradually reduce the grain feeds not suddenly cut it out altogether!
Good luck and yes please post some pics of him, we do love pics on here.
I am sorry that was the wrong advice to give you, reading other people's thoughts and more information that you have since given I am also inclined to agree you are perhaps being a little over anxious with your wish to ensure he has the very best possible care. I also now think he will probably settle again given time and patience and less food while you are not able to exercise him, I would just add fill him up on hay not grain feeds until you are able to exercise him more, but gradually reduce the grain feeds not suddenly cut it out altogether!
Good luck and yes please post some pics of him, we do love pics on here.
Lexi 123
Well-Known Member
relax I used to be like you worring like you why I bought my first horse years ago. I actually convinced myself that the horse is lame when the horse was sound. I think what you’re seeing is a stressed horse 
having 2 different homes in a space of weeks and probably will get Worse until he settles. Insurance is actually fairly useless in my opinion they very strict when it comes to treatments and you don’t get a choice nobody in Ireland insurance unless you’re horse is worth a lot of money
having 2 different homes in a space of weeks and probably will get Worse until he settles. Insurance is actually fairly useless in my opinion they very strict when it comes to treatments and you don’t get a choice nobody in Ireland insurance unless you’re horse is worth a lot of moneystangs
Well-Known Member
Easier said than done, but try not worry too much. Sometimes we get so fixated that we start seeing abnormalities that may or may not exist (speaking as someone that spent too much time reading about signs of pregnancy in mares and spent one long afternoon freaking out that my horse was pregnant... I own a gelding).
Most of what you describe sound like stress signals to me. That's natural, even for an older horse who's moved around a bit. It'll take him time to settle and get used to the new environment, stablemates, handler, etc.
Getting strong on the ground can also be a natural progression from having been shut down upon arrival - in some ways, it can be a good thing because it suggests the horse is no longer so over threshold that they've shut down. Get help from an instructor in dealing with the behaviour; otherwise, lead in a bridle and helmet and use the in-hand work to practice teaching him to lead politely. I wouldn't ride bareback on a horse I don't know very well and who hasn't been checked out by a physio beforehand (haven't read full thread, not sure if you've had any professionals check him out yet).
Not working him at all probably isn't the best idea if he's not getting much turnout. Prioritise reducing feed (good to have it to teach routine, but he should only be getting what he needs), and don't offer the likit overnight - it's just too much sugar, and there's enough in the grass right now as is. If you want to enrich his stable, which is always a good idea, there are some ideas here and here to get you started.
Most of what you describe sound like stress signals to me. That's natural, even for an older horse who's moved around a bit. It'll take him time to settle and get used to the new environment, stablemates, handler, etc.
Getting strong on the ground can also be a natural progression from having been shut down upon arrival - in some ways, it can be a good thing because it suggests the horse is no longer so over threshold that they've shut down. Get help from an instructor in dealing with the behaviour; otherwise, lead in a bridle and helmet and use the in-hand work to practice teaching him to lead politely. I wouldn't ride bareback on a horse I don't know very well and who hasn't been checked out by a physio beforehand (haven't read full thread, not sure if you've had any professionals check him out yet).
Not working him at all probably isn't the best idea if he's not getting much turnout. Prioritise reducing feed (good to have it to teach routine, but he should only be getting what he needs), and don't offer the likit overnight - it's just too much sugar, and there's enough in the grass right now as is. If you want to enrich his stable, which is always a good idea, there are some ideas here and here to get you started.
TPO
Well-Known Member
Hi Axe
I'm more than double your age and have been lucky enough to have horses since I was really young.
I'd class myself as a competent and experienced owner. I've called vets to come out because I've been concerned about something, or there has been an injury and had them talk around it to get out of coming. All long stories and some posted about on here previously. So I get what you mean when you say that the vet isn't refusing to come out "but...".
It's also very easy to rack up a £200 bill for "nothing". My new vets visit fee is £69 + consultation charge (I'll find out tomorrow what that is but guessing £50+). So yeah, its easy to get to £200 without much effort.
Are your parents horsey?
It might be worth directing them to here. There are a few non horsey parents who post on the forum for guidance and support.
Even as adults a lot of us have, and do, struggle with the compromises needed to keep horses. There are very few ideal yards with perfect set ups to allow us to keep horses as we'd like to. It's a constant learning curve having horses.
Insurance is a good idea because bills can mount up quickly. I made it to 26 before having an insured horse and somehow we managed back in the dark ages. I don't insure my current horse but I always have access to £5k. This is the maximum amount for most vet fees insurance policies. It might be worth getting some online quotes and having a chat with your parents. They'll know their own finances best.
You sound really keen, so keep it up. Make the most of every opportunity. Ask lots of questions and make the most of the experience of your vet, farrier, saddle fitter etc Lots of vets host lectures and demos about specific subjects and they are often free, go to as many things like that as you can. Might be worth looking into some equine first aid courses if your vets, or somewhere local, run them.
I know they're out of fashion but I love books. In your shoes I'd recommend 100 ways to improve your equine partnership by Susan mcbane. Its £3.54 2nd hand on amazon. As per the title its full of lots of info about learning how to get on with your horse, managing a new horse and good routines as well as health care. I also really like the 100 ways to improve your horse's health and 100 ways to improve your horse's behaviour. Lots of tips to keep your horse healthy and well behaved. Really easy to read books with good photos too.
If you don't already have something in place it's worth looking at having your own first aid kit and a book for guidance. Also speak to your vet.
I've had a lot of grass glands blowing up with the weather recently so thst could be what's happening with your boy. Have a Google at images of grass glands and that might put your mind at ease.
Good luck
I'm more than double your age and have been lucky enough to have horses since I was really young.
I'd class myself as a competent and experienced owner. I've called vets to come out because I've been concerned about something, or there has been an injury and had them talk around it to get out of coming. All long stories and some posted about on here previously. So I get what you mean when you say that the vet isn't refusing to come out "but...".
It's also very easy to rack up a £200 bill for "nothing". My new vets visit fee is £69 + consultation charge (I'll find out tomorrow what that is but guessing £50+). So yeah, its easy to get to £200 without much effort.
Are your parents horsey?
It might be worth directing them to here. There are a few non horsey parents who post on the forum for guidance and support.
Even as adults a lot of us have, and do, struggle with the compromises needed to keep horses. There are very few ideal yards with perfect set ups to allow us to keep horses as we'd like to. It's a constant learning curve having horses.
Insurance is a good idea because bills can mount up quickly. I made it to 26 before having an insured horse and somehow we managed back in the dark ages. I don't insure my current horse but I always have access to £5k. This is the maximum amount for most vet fees insurance policies. It might be worth getting some online quotes and having a chat with your parents. They'll know their own finances best.
You sound really keen, so keep it up. Make the most of every opportunity. Ask lots of questions and make the most of the experience of your vet, farrier, saddle fitter etc Lots of vets host lectures and demos about specific subjects and they are often free, go to as many things like that as you can. Might be worth looking into some equine first aid courses if your vets, or somewhere local, run them.
I know they're out of fashion but I love books. In your shoes I'd recommend 100 ways to improve your equine partnership by Susan mcbane. Its £3.54 2nd hand on amazon. As per the title its full of lots of info about learning how to get on with your horse, managing a new horse and good routines as well as health care. I also really like the 100 ways to improve your horse's health and 100 ways to improve your horse's behaviour. Lots of tips to keep your horse healthy and well behaved. Really easy to read books with good photos too.
If you don't already have something in place it's worth looking at having your own first aid kit and a book for guidance. Also speak to your vet.
I've had a lot of grass glands blowing up with the weather recently so thst could be what's happening with your boy. Have a Google at images of grass glands and that might put your mind at ease.
Good luck
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Hi Axe1312, I did put a more recent post to say that, if symptoms are only when brought in, it is most likely due to being unsettled.
The issue is, when people fire symptoms onto a thread on here, then the only sensible advice to give is to call the vet. I think people will always err on the side of safety as we can't know what is going on.
I gave a list of possible illnesses to show how it would not be possible for anyone to diagnose over a thread on a forum. Many illnesses have symptoms in common. I also included that it may be simply that the horse is upset on that list. I do think it would be a good idea to read up on horse illnesses, I know before I got a pony age 13, I had digested a fair few books, not least because mum knew nothing about horses.
I think we will all be looking forward to photos of JJ when you get them posted.
The issue is, when people fire symptoms onto a thread on here, then the only sensible advice to give is to call the vet. I think people will always err on the side of safety as we can't know what is going on.
I gave a list of possible illnesses to show how it would not be possible for anyone to diagnose over a thread on a forum. Many illnesses have symptoms in common. I also included that it may be simply that the horse is upset on that list. I do think it would be a good idea to read up on horse illnesses, I know before I got a pony age 13, I had digested a fair few books, not least because mum knew nothing about horses.
I think we will all be looking forward to photos of JJ when you get them posted.
millikins
Well-Known Member
As an aside, personal liability is usually covered by household insurance, in OPs case her parents'. I had a pony who caused minor damage to a car, the society I belonged to said they would cover as a last resort but I should try my home insurance first. They were very bemused when I called them but also very helpful and paid the damage without an issue.
spacefaer
Well-Known Member
Haven't commented before, but just an observation on JJ's breeding - he's showing as 78% thoroughbred so he might well be more likely to find life (and rapid changes) stressful. I'd give him as consistent a routine as you can, to give him some stability and encourage him to settle as soon as he can
Oh and we need pictures of your little bay horse!
Oh and we need pictures of your little bay horse!
MuffettMischief
Well-Known Member
Don’t Google. It rarely does any good. It really does sound as if he’s just unsettled if it’s only when he comes in of an evening. Try and get some work into him somehow and back to basics with feed. Scrap the likits too!
Bob notacob
Well-Known Member
My first call for anything that obviously doesn't require a vet is :Cut-out the hard feed , Hay and water , and if sound ,as much good exercise( slow hill work) as he can do. THEN look at what you have got.
Bob notacob
Well-Known Member
PS , Bob acted weird the moment he knew the cheque had cleared and I became his slave.
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
Yes I 've bought a few like that too!
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I am so hoping you've got "just give" missing out of that sentence, otherwise that's a bit drastic Bob
Maxidoodle
Well-Known Member
OP, you should take this thread as a good learning curve. The responses given were given with the very best intention, based on the information that you had provided. With the symptoms you first described, I can assure you every person on here was totally supportive of your assumption that something really wasn’t right. As the thread has progressed and you’ve provided much more information about his environment, the responses have been able to be address other issues that you hadn’t detailed before.
You’re a first time owner, there is so much to learn about horse ownership. Never stop learning, many of us have multiple decades of horse ownership under our belts and I guarantee, there is still things that we don’t know about.
Make yourself a sort of checklist, to help if you get anxious something that you feel is wrong, get yourself a thermometer and a small first aid kit, read up and digest whatever you can (pretty much every vet website across the UK has good articles on their websites and I would encourage you to go to the professional websites, rather than social media, to learn. There’s some brilliant you tube videos but there are also some that may lead you wrong.
For your “anxious” checklist, look at the horse in front of you, take his temperature if you’re worried (it’s a really good idea to take it at different times of the day and you get a feel for what his “usual” temperature is (which can help vets massively if there is a problem that the vet needs to attend to) do a visual scan of him, then think about any changes to his routine (some horses are enormously affected by even the slightest change of routine:, some don’t care), look at his body language, triangulated eyes can be a sign of worry, wrinkled lips (as an example I have one who I instantly know is really unhappy with something or in pain as he does this slight pout and wrinkled lips), then look at everything environmental, his stable, his surroundings, neighbouring horses can cause issues (stallions especially!).
There is a lot to learn but also a lot to learn about your individual horse and his likes and dislikes (For example, I have 4 and every single one of them is completely different and react differently), for rugging, rug the horse in front of you, don’t rug the same weighs as everyone else on the yard, some horses and warmer, some are colder. I’m in Scandinavia and despite it getting to minus 14 with a crippling windchill, two have mine have only been in 50g rugs in winter, two have been nude all winter (all unclipped). An indoor barn with closed doors of a night will be warmer than outdoor stables etc.
The main thing that I think is important, never stop asking questions, always be open to learning as boy, can horses throw us some curve balls at times and they can at times baffle a vet too.
I hope you are able to sort out a better stable for your boy, he needs a minimum of 12 x 12, as soon as you can, the bigger the stable, the better.
You’re a first time owner, there is so much to learn about horse ownership. Never stop learning, many of us have multiple decades of horse ownership under our belts and I guarantee, there is still things that we don’t know about.
Make yourself a sort of checklist, to help if you get anxious something that you feel is wrong, get yourself a thermometer and a small first aid kit, read up and digest whatever you can (pretty much every vet website across the UK has good articles on their websites and I would encourage you to go to the professional websites, rather than social media, to learn. There’s some brilliant you tube videos but there are also some that may lead you wrong.
For your “anxious” checklist, look at the horse in front of you, take his temperature if you’re worried (it’s a really good idea to take it at different times of the day and you get a feel for what his “usual” temperature is (which can help vets massively if there is a problem that the vet needs to attend to) do a visual scan of him, then think about any changes to his routine (some horses are enormously affected by even the slightest change of routine:, some don’t care), look at his body language, triangulated eyes can be a sign of worry, wrinkled lips (as an example I have one who I instantly know is really unhappy with something or in pain as he does this slight pout and wrinkled lips), then look at everything environmental, his stable, his surroundings, neighbouring horses can cause issues (stallions especially!).
There is a lot to learn but also a lot to learn about your individual horse and his likes and dislikes (For example, I have 4 and every single one of them is completely different and react differently), for rugging, rug the horse in front of you, don’t rug the same weighs as everyone else on the yard, some horses and warmer, some are colder. I’m in Scandinavia and despite it getting to minus 14 with a crippling windchill, two have mine have only been in 50g rugs in winter, two have been nude all winter (all unclipped). An indoor barn with closed doors of a night will be warmer than outdoor stables etc.
The main thing that I think is important, never stop asking questions, always be open to learning as boy, can horses throw us some curve balls at times and they can at times baffle a vet too.
I hope you are able to sort out a better stable for your boy, he needs a minimum of 12 x 12, as soon as you can, the bigger the stable, the better.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Axe I'm concerned about your age and the fact that you've given JJs full name. If you compete him, both his name and yours are likely to be able to be found by search engines in results lists in the future, and as a young person I'm not sure that would be wise. Do you think you should ask Admin to remove his name from your post? They will do that if you press the report button at the lower left of the post and explain why.
.
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Clodagh
Well-Known Member
I used to completely panic every time I got a new horse, imo it’s quite normal. Step away from google! It just makes things worse.
Don’t worry about the stallion, every yard I’ve ever worked in with one or more they have been quite unbothered by being next to geldings. As long as he can’t touch, which you have said already, I’m sure it’s absolutely fine.
Good luck with him. Enjoy.
Don’t worry about the stallion, every yard I’ve ever worked in with one or more they have been quite unbothered by being next to geldings. As long as he can’t touch, which you have said already, I’m sure it’s absolutely fine.
Good luck with him. Enjoy.
ownedbyaconnie
Well-Known Member
No one is coming at you Axe, they are just worried for you and the horse. We're all horse/animal lovers here.
Hope he settles soon.
Hope he settles soon.
Ouch05
Well-Known Member
I know this horse. My friend owned him for a while he has been through a fair number of homes
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, this was a niggling worry at the back of my mind but I had dismissed it, now I am left wondering again.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Ah
.That is not usually a good thing, especially if the horse then ends up in an inexperienced home.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Hopefully it will work out.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Axe if this is correct please be very, very careful when you come to ride him.
I didn't see any explanation of why he isn't in work at the moment, but if you are quite novice it would be a really good idea to pay a pro to restart him for you.
.
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
I think it's because she hasn't got a saddle for him yet. She's ridden him bareback and rode him when she tried him (iirc, I haven't trawled back through the replies).
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
I think Axe did walk trot and canter him at the viewing, but agree that it would be very wise to proceed with caution when first riding would be sensible.
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
It did make me worried that previous owner had only had him 5 weeks, which is why I suggested to OP getting YO to pop on him first, then staying with OP while she rides after
Upthecreek
Well-Known Member
I posted this on the other thread: The whole situation and the horse’s symptoms/behaviour described by the OP need someone knowledgeable to intervene (even if it doesn’t require veterinary treatment) or the OP is at risk of getting hurt. She has no saddle so has been riding bareback and has already fallen off once.
She has also mentioned bolting. I am really concerned for her safety.
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