Horse kicks out/tense after getting on then fine?! Any ideas!

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Chloeap

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Not sure what is up with my horse at the moment...

I get on (he stands still whilst getting on, doesn't step away or anything) but when I ask him to move on he feels really tense, kicks out a bit (has occasionally done a small buck) but after a few strides he goes lovely and relaxed. Works into a lovely contact, feels great.
Then the first time I ask for trot he feels quite tense, but doesn't do anything just not as relaxed as I know he can be. This happens no matter how long I walk for and then he goes back to normal after a few strides of this and is lovely again.
It's really bizarre and not like him. He isn't naughty, the only other time he has bucked was when he outgrew his saddle and it was a bit tight.
I have had the saddle fitter and physio out. Both say no problem. He's had teeth done very recently too.

This has been going on for probably about a month now. But as I say, it is literally for a couple of strides (i.e. the length of the short side of the school) then he works so so well.

Does anyone have any ideas what it possibly might be?!! I am at a loss.

Hope this makes sense and thanks if you got this far :)
 
paddi22 said:
would the girth be pinching him? or else saddle slipping slightly when on? do he do it if you ride bareback?
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I don't think so. I have both a dressage and jump saddle, both of which very recently checked and both fit well, and he does it in both. I am pretty sure they don't pinch, I don't do up the girths too tightly or too quickly but I will double check
 
It could be the start of something such as hock problems or kissing spine, or even feet. Better to get it checked out by the vet. Physios are not the best for picking up problems such as these IME.
 
Echo that - it sounds like he is expecting pain. Could something have hurt him in the recent past and doesn't now? So he thinks it will hurt and tenses up but then it doesn't so he relaxes again? Or something a little tight and stiff so it actually does hurt him for a few strides before easing off?
 
Wagtail said:
It could be the start of something such as hock problems or kissing spine, or even feet. Better to get it checked out by the vet. Physios are not the best for picking up problems such as these IME.
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Yeah vet is the next option, I have already given them my whole bank account though so was hoping it wouldn't come to that :(

Shay said:
Echo that - it sounds like he is expecting pain. Could something have hurt him in the recent past and doesn't now? So he thinks it will hurt and tenses up but then it doesn't so he relaxes again? Or something a little tight and stiff so it actually does hurt him for a few strides before easing off?
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We did have some saddle issues, but that is now resolved so that shouldn't be an issue but I guess he could still associate the pain (although this was resolved months ago now and he has pretty much got over it - started being a pain when I tried to get on, now stands lovely and still again).
He is a very sensitive horse - picks up on the slightest change in saddles etc and lets me know by bucking. He never bucks so I know it is out of pain, which is useful I guess!

I am (as well as a friend at my yard who I've spoken to about it) thinking along the lines of the something that is tight for first stride then eases off. It is almost like he releases something when he kicks out then back to normal. Then tight in first trot then lovely and relaxed again.
 
Does it make any difference if you have your bum out of the saddle (stand up in your stirrups) when you first get on and ask him to move off and also when you ask for trot?
 
eggs said:
Does it make any difference if you have your bum out of the saddle (stand up in your stirrups) when you first get on and ask him to move off and also when you ask for trot?
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I haven't tried that, I will give it a go and see if any difference :)
 
My young ex racer started being a bit funny in the same way your is, had back checked etc, saddler came out, saddle fitted fine, saddle pad we use all the time wasn't causing any issues hovever there was a tiny flap on the girth (not a cheap girth and supposedly humane breathable etc) where the buckles connect to the saddle straps that was rucking up ever so slightly, I couldnt see it sitting on him it was only when the saddler examined everything with me on board she found it even though it wasn't in contact with his skin it was enough to cause him to react. Solution was a rather expensive padded leather ergonomic (i think thats what it's called) Harry Dabbs girth which the minute she put it on him and plonked me on, no reaction. May be worth getting someone to go over all your tack with a fine tooth comb x
 
My horse behaves exactly like that when something is hurting, its not always the same thing! he's had a few different issues that have resulted in him going lame but he's reactions have always been like that!

In fact he did exactly the same last Saturday, I tacked up and got on with no issues, squeezed him to walk on and shouted laters to the lady on the yard, before I'd even finished saying bye he'd bucked and my words sounded a bit loud haha!

I then got to a corner and he stopped I pushed him on again, firmly and he kicked out, bucked and tried to evade going, I managed to get him down to the fields and I asked for trot and he was clearly not right!! not nodding lame but felt short!! He'd also tried to stop a few more times before this!!

Anyway, long story short is he almost certainly has an abscess in his back foot!! the vet couldn't quite locate it but he had a pulse and swollen legs! so I've been poulticing, waiting for something to come out, nothing yet and he looks sound again, so its just a waiting game now.
 
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