If it’s not one thing, it’s another

[J_sarahd]

So, the past few months have been difficult with my pony. He started bucking into canter, but that’s now stopped. He’s bending again in trot and we are working on it in canter. We are working on getting on, which seems to be improving.

But now he won’t let me near his head in the stable.

He’s fine to put a head collar on in the field etc but as soon as I go near him in the stable (even to groom him) he turns away from me.

Not sure whether it’s just him being cheeky or whether there’s something wrong? As soon as I do manage to get him, he’s fine and will happily let me tack him up.

He’s due his teeth in January. This is the first time he’s exhibited this behaviour!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Perhaps 'someone' has been upsetting him. Hope he is ok.

 

[J_sarahd]

I really hope that’s not the case, but it would make sense.

 

[IrishMilo]

Sorry if I've missed a diagnosis but has he been X rayed? Not wanting you to go near him in the stable is a big indicator he's worried about something/associating you + tack with pain.

 

[J_sarahd]

He hasn’t been x-rayed. We did have trouble with the saddle not fitting correctly for a bit (which is part of the reason he’s bucking) but he will let me put the saddle on and do the girth up absolutely no bother now. As soon as I put the reins over this head, he stops.

Even when he was bucking, he wasn’t like this.

 

[IrishMilo]

If you can afford to I'd definitely get his hocks and back X rayed as first port of call. Mine wouldn't bend to one side and bucked all the time and he was diagnosed with arthritis. Definitely worth it for peace of mind.

 

[J_sarahd]

I thought months ago that it might be arthritis of some kind after posting on here about the issue. Then, I spoke to a 'friend' (if you know, you know) as her gelding has arthritis and she said it isn't arthritis and it would've got picked up by physio/chiro. And since then, he has improved, to be fair to him.

How much did you pay for x-rays? I know obviously it changes from vet to vet and region to region. Just as a baseline.

Merry Christmas to me...!