I'm getting so fed up.

V

verient

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 August 2006
Messages
160
Visit site
I've owned my pony Tonto for over a year now. We bought him as a safe, but slightly green 6 year old which had competed in sj. However, he was completely different when we got him home. He bucked, reared, bolted and I hated him.

We sent him to a woman who worked with him for 7 weeks and gave me lessons on him. It was my ultimate dream for Tonto and I to compete in SJ. God it hurt when she told me he'd never be a show jumping. It cost a fortune keeping him there, and it just made him worse.

My mum decided he was far too dangerous for me to ride because he kept bolting and rearing. The decision was made to sell him. I was heartbroken. Although he was a complete idiot...I still loved him...I could see past his problems.

No one would buy him because of his issues, so a lovely lady offered to take him for a few weeks to see if she had any luck with him. I went over almost every day and had a lesson on him. He changed rapidly and soon I was jumping him with no troubles. It turned out that his saddle wasn't fitting and once it was changed he continued to improve.

He's been home for a few months now and has been going brilliantly. I've been hacking him out alone and in company, jumping him 4 foot and even my friends have been brave enough to ride him. I was even considering doing some XC. Although he was well behaved now, with a few off times, I knew he wasn't perfect. For months I begged my mum to call the back doctor. Finally she did. His whole left side was jammed, his pelvis was out of place and his kidneys were messed up.

About 2 weeks ago he had treatment for all this and has had his teeth done. After his time off, I began with light hacking. He was awful. Even in company he'd stop, rear up then spin round. He'd leap and buck in upwards transitions and downwards transitions were non-existent. He also began headshaking.

He’s always seemed irritated by flies and things in summer, so I decided to by a net relief, which is supposed to stop headshaking. However, now that he has it on, he continues to toss his head, but his transitions have slightly improved. We also brought a thinner bit (recommended by the dentist) and that seems to be helping too.

I just…hate it. I can’t even hack out on him without him rearing and bucking. He was going so well before his treatment…I just don’t understand. He doesn’t scare me, it just annoys me that he’s forgotten everything I taught him. I never want to give up on him…I just don’t know what to do. Any comments/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
Oh and if it helps- today when I hack him out alone he walked out the gate at great speed and seemed very keen to go. However, as soon as we were on the track he'd nap into every gateway. He wouldn't trot up a hill which he loves to trot up and when we reached the top he stopped dead and spun round. I turned him round, had a battle with him, and won. Then we had another argument down a hill which won. Then we had a nice little canter which he decided to end abruptly, rear up, spin round and leap forward. I spent about half an hour trying to make him walk forward which he wouldn't do. All he did was rear and spin round and if I wouldn't let him do that, he'd run backwards. So I got off and led him to the end of the track. I got back on and tried to continue walking. He reared and spun round again and then tried to tank off. I stood waiting for a while too see if he'd walk forward. It was no use, every time I kicked him, or use the whip, he'd just run backwards. Although I hated doing it, I turned round. Once we had got to the bottom of the big hill I made him walk down anotehr track going back in the opposite direction. He reared once but after an argument, I won. I walked him to the end of the track, halted, then asked him to move forward. To my surprise, he did. Then I stopped again, turned round and went home.
 
It sounds like you've come a long way with him. What back person did you have? Make sure that you are using a chartered physio and a proper chiropract.
Try taking him out in hand first or long rein him if you are confident enough.
Also put him on a calmer!!
 
Lindsay Opperman. And if I took him out in hand he'd probably tank off with me. He was on a calmer but the back doctor reccomended we put him on a balancer because he's not getting the minerals he needs due to the ground apparently.
 
Well why not put him back on the calmer, plus the balancer and see if that helps at all?
 
Since you have had his back checked have you had his saddle re-fitted? If he was in such a bad way he is bound to have changed shape again over his back, due to muscle damage and spinal movement.
What is he like in the school? Does he just need a little more variety to keep him entertained? How often are you having lessons with him now?
 
Well due to our field being used for some funeral thing, I haven't had a lesson since his treatment. I ride in the field, but yeah...he's just extra unbalanced and yeah he needs alot of varity.
 
Hi Verient.
Your horse is trying to tell you that something is wrong. It doesn't make sense for him to put this much effort into being naughty just to mess up your life.
I'd suggest you investigate further - get the vet back out, get a different saddle fitter, get his teeth rechecked, his feet balanced if not already. If you can cut out hard food, do so. And see what he is like on the lunge, without tack....
Horses aren't usually bad...but he sounds distressed.
Hope it resolves soon.
S
smile.gif
 
I'd love to do all that, but it's really hard when my mum isn't too keen on getting anyone out. The back doctor is coming this thursday. With lunging he just gallops off and pull me over..
 
I know it's difficult.
But I think you feel that something is wrong?
You must think he's a sweetheart inside or you wouldn't be spending this much time and effort trying to help him when he behaves as badly as you have described.
I have had similar issues with horses in the past (I used to be an equestrian Crash Test dummy!) and without exception they were all sweet horses, with a problem.
I know it costs a lot of time and effort, but you have to sort the real problem, not the symptoms...
I wish you lots of luck
S
smile.gif
 
I don't know..I really don't know. He's also a idiot to pick his feet out - he tries to kick. But it's just so hard with an uncooperative mum. I've considered getting a sharer for him but I just don't think I could face him being ridden and loved by someone else.. I do have pictures if it helps at all.
 
Sounds very much like a back/pelvis pain problem (that would also make it sore for him to lift feet for picking out).
The picture of him rearing looks like an unhappy horse, in pain, rather than a naughty horse having fun at his rider's expense.
He has a kind face too.
Is he insured? If so, the insurance would cover some of the vet bills? I do think you should have him checked out for back and saddle problems.
Why the gag and Grakle?
S
smile.gif
 
H'e sonly ridden on the snaffle ring of the gag but it's because he can get very strong and sometimes I have to move them down a ring. The grakle because he opens his gob, sets his neck against you then bolts.
 
He's only ridden on the snaffle ring of the gag but it's because he can get very strong and sometimes I have to move them down a ring. The grakle because he opens his gob, sets his neck against you, then bolts.
 
I know you want a quick cure (don't we all) but the more you describe him, the more I think he has a problem. Horses often set their jaws/necks against you and bolt if they experience pain from certain movements. And maybe he can't turn circles for the pain, hence the lunging behaviour?
I think he looks like a real sweet soul, and you look like a competent owner/rider....I think your problem with him is still deeper than behavioural.
Can't you persuade your Mum/Dad/boyfriend to fund a vet visit?
Or maybe you could work part time for the summer (I assume you're a student still)?
Sorry I can't be of any practical help.
S
smile.gif
 
Hi Verient, I'm sorry I can't offer much advice, other than to echo everyone else and say that he sounds like he's in some pain or discomfort. If it helps though, you aren't the only one going through times like this! I read your post and had to think to myself, 'did I post this earlier?' it was so similar to the problems Ive been having. I know what you mean about not wanting to give up - my boy isnt the nasty type either. Its just so frustrating when they act so badly and you dont know whats wrong.
confused.gif
It sounds like you are well on the way, though, so I hope you get it worked out as he lookslike he could be a lovely little chap if he behaved himself! I'll be looking out for your posts in the future
smile.gif
 
Hi, It sounds quite like a few of the problems I had which resulted in my mare having back problems. You need to get him checked; if it is back problems your behaviourial problems won't go away and infact will get worse if there is a problem there. I'm know you're trying to do the best for your lad at the moment and it's hard not to let costs run away with you, and being a mum I also know that I wouldn't risk my daughters health for the world, so until you can eliminate back or pelvis problems, please be very careful riding. It is something that your insurance will cover if you need to get it looked into. It is worth it.
 
Hi. Some of the problems you're having sound very similar to mine. I recently found out my mare had a back problem. I would get your chaps back checked/full flexion tests. If it turns out it is a back problem then you're behaviorial problems will only get worse as he becomes more stiff and sore. I know it's hard to stop the feeling of costs running away with you but hopefully you've got him insured and they should cover it. In the meantime please take very good care of both you and your horse whilst you're riding, you're both valuable packages!! Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Echo what other people have said. Please get him checked by a good vet, get his saddle checked, his feet checked too. I think you owe it to him to sort this out. It simply isnt fair to keep riding him when he is clearly in pain. I understand what it is like to not have the funds, I am a student myself and am regularly scraping by to afford my arab's barefoot treatment, osteopath, vets bill etc, but I manage, somehow..!
Please think about this, if you cannot afford to get him the help he needs, perhaps you should think about finding him a new home that will? Sorry I just feel really strongly about this..
 
I think it was pain but has now turned to naughtyness because he has realised he is stronger than you!

Really he should have had his teeth, back and tack checked at the begining not a few months on.

The first woman he went to couldnt have ben very good, she didnt think to get all these things checked? You said yourself he got worse.

I think his problems got worse which is why he behaved like he did, then after you got him sorted he had learned he was stronger than you and now uses it against you, if he doesnt want to do something then he wont do it. This is where the napping comes from. Also from the picture it looks like a case of being unsure, how well schooled is he?
Hes not quite sure what to do with the poles, he thinks its right to jump them.

Aslong as everything is sorted, everything has been checked again and again, remember horses change shape through the seasons so his saddle might not fit again,. Then this is now a case of lots of schooling and showing him whose boss.

Profesional help is prboably needed and if he is just too much then someone out there would buy him. Im not saying let him go to anyone, i would always vet a new home, i mean someone that sees his potential and can work with him.

Good luck with him
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top