How to deal with this ....

S

SilverSkye

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6 yr old exracer on the yard that belongs to a friend is having proper temper tantrums when stabled and ridden or just asked to do anything he doesnt fancy, he starts by kicking out behind both barrells, if he is still pushed or ignored this changes to a rocking horse impression like a small rear into a buck, he then fly leaps ( even in the stable ) then throws himself on the floor. I have known lots of horses rear loads that buck and fly leap but never known one throw itself on the floor.
Had everything checked, saddle, back, teeth all needed doing and any problems that were found have been corrected then rechecked, vet has been and done a lameness work up all fine, however his behaviour is getting worse and worse to the point he threw himself on the concrete yard as he had decided he didnt fancy being tied up.
Any suggestions or anyone know another horse that does this? .
 
Sorry no help but OMG that is really strange behavior....

Hope someone has some good advice for you to pass on.

We have a 4 year old ex racer on our yard and she is rearing in the field and punching her front legs out when you try to catch her or other horses. She also turns her backend on you in the stable the owner is a little soft and is getting help to put her back in her place it appears to be working and the mare looks much happier.

Fingers crossed for you.
 
We have an ex racer that does the jump leaps when on him but u just have to make sure u catch the tension quick to stop him from doing it. Have u had his back checked for kissings spine?
 
Sounds like he's having a right temper tantrum! Your poor friend. Would professional behaviourist involvement be a possibility?

How long has he been doing this? Anything changed recently?
 
Not my horse ( thank god!!) His owner has had a highly recomended sports massage person out and also an equine chiropractor as well as had him checked by the vet and no one has found anything significant ( he had very tight mussles through his shoulders the 1st time the sports massage lady saw him but nothing more)
 
He has always done it to varying degrees since she 1st got him ( 6 months ago ish) she is just getting to breaking point with him as you take 2 steps forward then 10 back . Really wouldnt know if his eyes have been checked in honesty can ask however he can certainly see well enough when he is galloping upto the fencing and stopping and spotting things to spook at!
Edited to add - thanks for the replies so far x
 
have they thought about turning him away for 6 months or so??? if he has raced from an early age then been ridden normally he might just mentally need a break??? then come back into work and start things from scratch??? just a though
 
If there's no medical reason anyone can think of and he's been checked for everything, I'd suggest a behaviourist.

Does your friend know his background at all? Is the a chance he was abused or mistreated in some way? Just trying to work out if it's pure stubbornness or nervousness/nervous aggression......
 
I have ridden similar years ago, on a little mare (not owned by me), and it was a suspected brain tumour.
She'd create such a fuss on the yard if she saw another horse, that she'd double barrel (even if it were 40m away), and rear til she flipped over on the concrete.
S
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I have a mare that goes into 'blind panic' (literally) if she is faced with the unknown, left on her own or faced with anything she deems she can't cope with. We persevered for a while but her panics escalated. Under veterinary advice I now just have her as a companion horse in the field as her behaviour was not only a danger to herself but to anyone nearby.

I bred her so I know she has never had any traumatic experiences or injuries. My vet says she is just a natural born worrier - it is just in her nature. She now lives out all year with my brood mares but her behaviour is still erratic and we have just had to work around it
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In honesty a brain tumour is the only thing i had thought of, when he throws himself on the floor it is like he is going to lie down, in fact it is just like watching a child have a paddy he goes knees 1st then over side ways like he is going to roll then gets back up and if still ignored or pushed carries on creating. Really feel for her his owner as she bought him after her old exracer was PTS ( she had him 15 years ) and in honesty he has been no joy what so ever just naughty and very expensive!
 
I had one on loan who was perfectly happy to do anything in the stable apart from be left alone - would then throw himself on the floor, did the same one day tied up - threw himself onto a concrete floor when the horse tied up near him was moved round the corner.

Was the same ridden - if he was on his own in the arena from the start or with another horse from the start - fine. If anything changed - horse came in or went out - threw himself on the floor on his side!

Sent him back
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as was not what I needed at the time - wanted to be taking him out competing with my horse and not get my lorry trashed and him broken!
 
where he was in training will be in his passport! as will be where he raced. trace his history!! he might have a problem he might just be taking the p...! his flu and tet will give you the vet, who cannot give you details but can pass your number on to trainer etc? did you buy him at a sal e or private? good luck
 
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