How to cope with your horse after he has had a bad fright?

[Rusky]

Hi there
My horse started refusing to go on tracks he knew very well. He has been fine on smaller paths near home. I believe he has had a bad fright so I'm not pushing him at all, just quiet walks but he still feels tense. I don't know how to go from here.

 

[bonny]

Hi there
My horse started refusing to go on tracks he knew very well. He has been fine on smaller paths near home. I believe he has had a bad fright so I'm not pushing him at all, just quiet walks but he still feels tense. I don't know how to go from here.

Sounds to me like you need some experienced help, why do you assume your horse has had a bad fright ?

 

[Rusky]

Sounds to me like you need some experienced help, why do you assume your horse has had a bad fright ?

He started being nappy leaving the field so I walked him out, he broke away from me and galloped back to the field..i was told there was a lot of machinery and work going on nearby that week. I feel grateful that I have actually managed to get him out at all but he's not his usual self.

 

[Wishfilly]

I definitely think it sounds like you need someone to help you who can assess what is going on- possibly someone who can both advise you, but also get on and ride the horse if needed!

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds like heat being a naughty, nappy boy. Just crack on with him.

 

[paddy555]

I too think you need some help. To my mind the horse does what he is told when he is told, full stop. I agree with Amymay it sounds on the tracks are if he is saying "no, so what are you going to do about it"

If you want to go down a track he knows well then down he goes. If you don't feel confident to ride him down it get off and walk confidently at his side and march on down it. You are the leader,, he is the follower and your job is to aspire confidence. Actions such as not pushing him or even wondering yourself if he is up to doing it is simply a chink in your armour that he picks up on and thinks "if she doesn't think it is safe then I certainly don't" or alternatively "can't be bothered"


If you think he is going to get away from you put something on his head to control him with and look out for the first sign of trouble. At the first reaction (and preferably a nano second before) take action. Turn him sharply, back him, give him something to do to bring his attention back to you.

Take him for a walk in hand and make him work. Every 3 steps do something. A halt, back, turn on the forehand, anything it doesn't matter what. It brings his attention back to you, keeps him listening and from not thinking if he is frightened or if he wants to misbehave.

 

[Nudibranch]

You need to be as normal as possible to show him there's nothing to worry about, if he is worried. It does sound like he's taking the mick somewhat (in which case again crack on like nothing's happened).

 

[Rusky]

Thank for all the good advice I will make use of all of it. I'm glad I joined this forum otherwise I would be stuck! I started to feel a failure as I've had him 8 years and we've been fine.

 

[paddy555]

Thank for all the good advice I will make use of all of it. I'm glad I joined this forum otherwise I would be stuck! I started to feel a failure as I've had him 8 years and we've been fine.

if you have both managed happily for 8 years has something happened? eg you have fallen off/seen a fall, been bereaved, divorced, ill, mentally ill. Something that has sapped your confidence. Now he either sees an excuse to take the Mick or you are nervous due to confidence loss and he is picking up on it.

Alternatively has something happened to him eg. just check he is not walking into things, is reticent because he has an eye problem, cushings, someone else has handled him and either let him get away with stuff or been very nervous.

 

[Jellymoon]

Ooh, I think if you’ve had him for 8 yrs with no issues, it sounds like maybe he’s in pain of some sort? How old is he OP?
I wonder if you ought to get the vet…
Do you have a trainer? Or a very knowledgable friend who could have a look for you?

 

[Lady Jane]

Thank for all the good advice I will make use of all of it. I'm glad I joined this forum otherwise I would be stuck! I started to feel a failure as I've had him 8 years and we've been fine.

If you've had him 8 years I would suggest he is in discomfort. I agree with @Jellymoon , get help from your trainer or experienced friend but if he behaves in a similar way (don't push him too much) I would explore discomfort issues. Normal stuff, teeth, saddle, bit, feet to start.

 

[Rusky]

Hi there,
I am struggling to get a trainer to come out and possibly ride my horse. I am still riding him on the same routes he is happy on and don't want to spoil it as he has been very good.
I'm getting his back and teeth checked. He is same as always when we're out and we always walk home on the buckle. I might try long reining where he doesn't want to go.
I have had conflicting advice, some say carry a stick, some say he must be in pain and others think he is taking the micky a bit, but surely he would not go out at all if that was the case?
We did have quite a while off last year and I did find out I had a heart condition so maybe I'm not as forceful as I should be. Getting resigned now and so miss the stubble field gallops where we used to go.

 

[CMcC]

I do think horses can be frightened by something and refuse to go into places they have previously been fine.
I have 6 ponies, every morning i go up to the field and they run down to the yard. A couple of months ago they all refused to go through the gate at the end of the track from the field, and ran back to the field. Then they refused to come out the field. In the end I got a halter and led the lead mare down and the others (reluctantly) followed. They were very cautious for a couple of days and I had no idea why they were like this, nothing had changed.
Then one evening I was up in the field poo picking and the couple who live in a caravan across the road we’re having a terrible row, screaming at each other. I was actually quite worried they were going to kill each other and I was going to have to call the police. Anyway one of them slammed the door and left in their car.
I suspect they had had an awful row early the morning the ponies wouldn’t come in.
it hasn’t happened again (I think she may have left) and after a few days they all behaved normally again.

 

[Rusky]

I do think horses can be frightened by something and refuse to go into places they have previously been fine.
I have 6 ponies, every morning i go up to the field and they run down to the yard. A couple of months ago they all refused to go through the gate at the end of the track from the field, and ran back to the field. Then they refused to come out the field. In the end I got a halter and led the lead mare down and the others (reluctantly) followed. They were very cautious for a couple of days and I had no idea why they were like this, nothing had changed.
Then one evening I was up in the field poo picking and the couple who live in a caravan across the road we’re having a terrible row, screaming at each other. I was actually quite worried they were going to kill each other and I was going to have to call the police. Anyway one of them slammed the door and left in their car.
I suspect they had had an awful row early the morning the ponies wouldn’t come in.
it hasn’t happened again (I think she may have left) and after a few days they all behaved normally again.

Thank you, you're right, we can't always know what goes on when we're not there. x

 

[sunleychops]

Horses can just take the piss too.

I would be just cracking on in a firm but fair way, If you think its anxiety based then try something like calming cookies.

 

[southerncomfort]

If you can give a rough idea of the area you're in maybe someone can suggest a trainer.

If you can afford someone like Richard Maxwell, I'm sure he'd be able to help work out what's going on.

 

[Goldenstar]

I cure issues like that by doing more work .

 

[Fransurrey]

Definitely worth getting a check if you suspect discomfort at all. It could be as simple as bruising if he's charged around with heavy machinery going on, which would show with hoof testers. My horizontal cob changed personality when filming happened next to his field, this summer. Literally went from being groomed and tacked up without being tied up to doing a runner from the shelter - he was the other way and fine once out on the trails. He settled after a couple of weeks - I just had to tie him up for everything during that time and just be ready to either catch him if he was tied or get out of the way if he had a panic in the shelter itself!

 

[Annagain]

I know how you feel to a certain extent. My new boy had a melt down about some pigs back in May and still isn't happy going past the spot. We've only done it in company so far and I'm not going to try going on my own until he's totally relaxed in company. We're getting better each time but I'm sure I'm part of the problem now as I get a bit worried wondering what he's going to do as we go past. In your shoes, you don't know for certain that he did have a fright and that must be more unsettling. Do you have friends you can hack out with so you can both take confidence from them?

Another thought - is it possible that, sub-consciously, your heart condition diagnosis has affected your confidence and you're passing this on to him? It's completely understandable - that's quite a bit of news to process. As others have said, maybe paying someone to come and do a bit of work with him on the tracks he doesn't like is a sensible step forwards. If you let us know where you are, I'm sure someone will have a recommendation for you.

The other possibility is that something is causing him discomfort and that, while he can cope generally there's something about those particular tracks that make it harder for him. Are they particularly stony / uneven / steep downhill or uphill? Is the light along them different which could be affecting his sight? Are there any particular trees / plants that release a pollen that irritates him? I think for peace of mind I'd have him checked over fully by your vet as well as getting your saddle checked. If you get an explanation for his behaviour that's a big help as you can treat / adjust what you do accordingly but even if you get a clean bill of health, at least you know you're ok to push on through.

Good luck.

 

[IrishMilo]

Horses know damn well who they can take the P with. Being scared isn't an excuse to be disobedient... they're too big and stupid to be allowed to decide which hacking routes to take! I'd be giving him a smack on the arse and a boot and telling him to get over himself ?

 

[ester]

Is the surface on the big/small tracks different?

 

[Winters100]

I would assume discomfort if the horse had previously been calm, reliable and not nappy. However if the horse has had a tendency towards being nappy or difficult I might take a different approach. Won't do any harm to check him over, but if he is having you on be prepared to take a firm line, or find a rider who will.

Edited to add that avoiding 'scary' things, or turning back, is not the way in my opinion. As long as this is not caused by pain he needs to see that you are the leader and that you ARE going forward. Recently I spent some time at a facility where olympic hopefuls train (obviously not for that purpose!). My friend inadvertently set off the 'panic button' on my car, lights flashing, horn blaring etc. I ran to silence it, but one lady, who I later found had narrowly missed a place in Tokyo, asked me to wait. Her horse was afraid to pass, and she wanted him to get over it. When I apologised later she cheerfully told me that it was great for him to learn to cope with unexpected things.

 

[Rusky]

I know how you feel to a certain extent. My new boy had a melt down about some pigs back in May and still isn't happy going past the spot. We've only done it in company so far and I'm not going to try going on my own until he's totally relaxed in company. We're getting better each time but I'm sure I'm part of the problem now as I get a bit worried wondering what he's going to do as we go past. In your shoes, you don't know for certain that he did have a fright and that must be more unsettling. Do you have friends you can hack out with so you can both take confidence from them?

Another thought - is it possible that, sub-consciously, your heart condition diagnosis has affected your confidence and you're passing this on to him? It's completely understandable - that's quite a bit of news to process. As others have said, maybe paying someone to come and do a bit of work with him on the tracks he doesn't like is a sensible step forwards. If you let us know where you are, I'm sure someone will have a recommendation for you.

The other possibility is that something is causing him discomfort and that, while he can cope generally there's something about those particular tracks that make it harder for him. Are they particularly stony / uneven / steep downhill or uphill? Is the light along them different which could be affecting his sight? Are there any particular trees / plants that release a pollen that irritates him? I think for peace of mind I'd have him checked over fully by your vet as well as getting your saddle checked. If you get an explanation for his behaviour that's a big help as you can treat / adjust what you do accordingly but even if you get a clean bill of health, at least you know you're ok to push on through.

Good luck.

Thank you x