Hypersensitive Horse

F

Flight

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 May 2004
Messages
385
Visit site
Hi, Friend of mine has a horse which was bought as a project to bring on which appears to be hypersensitive to everything. It doesn't even like being touched or brushed and goes very tense. Vet has checked it and taken bloods and found nothing wrong but did comment that it is very tense and is worse on left hand side. If they try to ride it it bucks and rears till they fall off. Saddle and teeth checked too. Has anyone had a similar situation or any suggestions how to help horse feel more comfortable/confident being touched?
 
I bought a mare like this. We think she'd had a jumping crash as she seemed in pain everywhere. Of course I had her back and teeth done but the best thing I did for her was to pull the shoes and throw her out in a pasture in amongst a small herd for the summer and let Dr Green do his magic.

I would bring her in a 5 every evening for a token feed, stand in the yard in the evening sun and give her what my beauty therapist daughter called "her spa treatment" which was sometimes a bath and a massage. This way, we bonded and I found out just where it still hurt, what she would accept and enjoyed. This is great though if you have he time for her which I had a plenty. The riding came later.

She is fantastic now and has turned into a mare everyone comments on as stunning. She's a great friend and is a quality horse with fabulous breeding that I would never of been able to afford to buy if she had been sound. She's still easily stressed when not managed properly but we are a team and I love all of her.
 
I would say it sounds like the horse has maybe not had much human contact and is just very unsure and scared. I would prob take it back to basics and start with lots and lots of groundwork to build a bond with the horse and gain his trust. Then take it from there. It will prob take thime tho. Good luck
 
Do you know any of its past history?

As already said if there is no physical reason for its behaviour best to go right back to the beginning and do lots of in hand work and gentle, calm handling to regain trust and develop a bond before even thinking of riding.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top