I NEED ADVICE!

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katieruby12

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29 February 2012
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hello,
ive had my horse for about 8 months now, and she is exactly whta ive dream off, and she has been working stunning. but lately, he has decided everything is scary and everytime we go to this certain place on the track which she has been past thousands of times, she decides to bronk? and its making me nervous. for no reason what so ever, she isnt scared she just bronkes,rears and bucks! also she is really hesistant to come out of the school at the moment, she doesnt listen and is really spooky. this is her first year of living in over winter, but she has been fully vetted, back checked, saddle fitted and everything! i was hoping to just get some advice on why she is doing this? is it just a winter behavoir problem?
 
Sudden changes like this don't happen for no reason.
First what are you feeding her? It's not uncommon for a horse that used to live out to become a bit full of it once stabled especially if getting particular types of hard feed.
Another thing to consider is grass, what is the state of your grazing? Where I am the spring grass is coming through, and many horses are full of themselves.
Another thing is deficiencies in magnesium and other trace elements can cause a horse to become very nervous, this is why most calmers are magnesium based.
Another option is pain, justt because her tack was fitted and ok 8 months ago doesn't mean she is happy now.
When did you last have her back checked?
Teeth, again when were they last done?

Think hard about any changes, a change in paddock pals, feed, instructor, the way you ride, any change can trigger unexpected behaviour in horses.

Just a few ideas for you to consider, good luck in finding the problem :)
 
That she always starts to behave like this at a certain point out hacking, and when leaving the school, strongly suggests to me that she is really insecure, particularly as she reacts so strongly as to rear and buck. I imagine that this has probably developed over a period of time and isn't as unexpected as you make out: for a few weeks or months she may have been offering much subtler signals that she wasn't comfortable, but perhaps you pushed her through it but, rather than make her better it could have exacerbated her anxiety and insecurity, leading it to escalate to this scale where it is dangerous. There is always a reason that horses do this, and I definitely think it's rooted in anxiety and insecurity. It sounds like your mare doesn't trust you and doesn't feel safe enough to leave the enclosed, predictable security of the school to face the unpredictibility, hazards and openness of hacking. Can you think back to when this behaviour first started? Perhaps it's been there all along, but in different or much more subtle ways? It would be worth noting down everything that's changed in her life: hacking companions (does she behave better when hacked in company?) feed, routine, field companions, training etc. I don't think winter itself has anything to do with her bevahiur, unless she is being fed significantly more and exercised/turned out less (which is very likely to be an issue since she now lives in 24/7). It may be that se is experiencing separation anxiety if she is spending more time with her field companions. Her behaviour would unnerve any rider, but your own feasrs are only going to make it worse: perhaps, they have played a part in her behaviour exacerbating to this level. Both you and she may feel more confident if you alternated between riding in company for a while and leading her in-hand on hacks instead of riding: this way, in a physical sense she is likely to feel less vulnerable and alone and you will be giving her a physical and visual lead. Horses always find it easier to do something scary when they are with - or following - another horse, and you can be that horse. Leading gives you more control and may make you feel more confident, too, which of course will help to increase her confidence too. Never punish or get angry with her for behaving like this, as you will only make her anxiety worse and decrease her trust in you further. It sounds like she's probably been giving you signals for a while - tail swishing, not moving forward easily, spooking evading your aids, stopping briefly - but when she hasn't been listened to she's had to resort to 'shouting' louder to make herself heard. Try to avoid getting into a battle of wills, take your time and always praise her when she does well and tries hard. This will take a lot of time consistency and patience to overcome, but it can definitely be done.
Good luck! :)
 
She sounds as if she is napping to me, it is very hard to say without actually seeing what she does. I would expect her to play up all the time if it is pain related not just out on a hack (which you seem to have ruled out - did you have her eyes checked too?) How old is she?

Is it only going away from home she does it?
Do you go out alone?
Does she do this in company?
Do you turn around and go home when she does this or do you make her go on?
When she spooks and 'broncs' does she seem frightened, I mean really frightened?

Perhaps have someone else ride her and see if she does it with them?
 
Lived in this winter.
So obviously feeling energetic.
Get usual things checked, even if recently passed s vetting things can change but it sounds like excrement from s horse couped up in a stable.
Some cope well others don't, especially if this is her first winter in.
 
thanks for all the advice:)
i took her out yesterday and she didnt do it, i spent time in hand round the track and it seemed to reassure her:)
love my horse <3
 
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