Horse keeps planting going up hills - any ideas why

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mar2505

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My horse started planting halfway up a hill we hack and recently has started to do it more frequently on a lesser hill as well. She does not try to turn just plants.
Yesterday after the hill and back on the flat she did an enormous spook and run off and I put it down to genuine fear as she would not go back past this point (usual route so passed many times before).
I am wondering if it's all connected or am I overthinking the situation.
My instructor says my position is poor hence the stopping on hills but this is a recent thing and she went up fine for years!
Any ideas - btw not lame .
 
Is it the same hill?

The things that spring to mind are......

Pain
Something has spooked her if it's only this hill it's happening at.
 
Hi started on one steepish hill then happens on lesser steep hill now. When I kick her one she goes but nothing has ever spooked her on these hills , ride them for 8/9 years and this is last six months . The spook yesterday was on the flat after less steep hill . Very dramatic for her to say the least .
 
I'd be suspicious that it's pain related then.

Have you tried getting off before hill/s and leading her up. Is she any different xx
 
Supertrooper said:
I'd be suspicious that it's pain related then.

Have you tried getting off before hill/s and leading her up. Is she any different xx
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No but can try that today, good idea. I agree with pain thought but everyone at yard just says naughty which is why I thought I would post.
 
How old is she? Can you go up these hills without stopping? Is your instructor correct about your position and if so can you modify it for the hills? As Arzada gets older, and me too, we stop on the hills, get our breath and move on.
 
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If nothing else has changed, I would suspect pain. Some horses spook more readily when in pain. I would get the vet to come for a checkup after the holiday. Until then, I would not ride, for fear of exacerbating the pain.
I think I might change my RI as well, because she should be working with you to improve your position, especially if she thinks that it is so poor that it could cause your horse to stop.
 
When was your saddle last checked? Rule out any issues/pain before thinking naughty. If they are ruled out can you ride that section of your hack with company.
I had a friend who used to ride by some chickens, the pony spooked a couple of times, she made a big deal about it and then she started to prepare for the chickens and actually set the pony off. It hard to relax when you know something going to happen but by anticipating what's going to happen you can Get in to theses situations. Company could help or getting off and leading past the sticky point, but pain checks as well.
 
mar2505 said:
Thanks, any ideas on where the pain may come from, I am thinking the back ?
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Most likely is hocks, followed by hind suspensories, followed by sacroiliac, but it could be anywhere. Those are just probably the top three possibilities. I would be doing some flexion tests or calling a vet to do some flexion tests, then move on from what those tell you.
 
Well done for not just believing the people at your yard.
I hate it when sudden behaviour changes are put down to "just naughty" or taking the P
Horses don't suddenly one day decide it might be fun to refuse to do something they have previously done. Neither do they wind people up on purpose.
 
My mare started planting at the top of downhill slopes, it was pain related, turned out she had huge sidebones..... Was always happiest going uphill, even on slight downward slopes you could notice slight hesitation.
 
My pony wouldn't go down a hill we'd been going down for years. His way of telling me that it hurt. At 22 years old, his knee was getting stiff. (Vet confirmed arthritic knee). He now is ridden on the flat.

If your horse has been fine before I investigate the pain/discomfort route first of all.
 
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