Injury, understimulated and bites!

[QueenT]

So, my horse thinks she is a dog, and scratches herself with hind leg, gets caught in halter that fortunately breaks, but still manages to injure a hind knee ligament. She is a high-energy horse that is now only allowed walks in hand, she is still turned out thank good. She has never liked other horses getting too close, but now it’s like 30 meters is too close. If we are alone in the arena she is fine, but if someone else is in there, she is a dragon most of the time, nostrils flaring, teeth bared, ears pinned - the full works. Problem is, she is a danger to the person walking her, and yesterday she bit me in the shoulder. I hadn’t noticed another horse coming from behind, so I could turn away. Yard staff is experiencing the same thing, if another horse is close, she will bite the person. Any good ideas on how to deal with this? Thanks!

 

[twiggy2]

Put a muzzle on her and try to have eyes in the back of your head and everywhere else.
I would leave as soon as anyone else comes in, it sounds like she is really stressed by it all and a muzzle won't reduce the stress but should help reduce injuries.
Is hand walking strictly needed?

 

[QueenT]

Put a muzzle on her and try to have eyes in the back of your head and everywhere else.
I would leave as soon as anyone else comes in, it sounds like she is really stressed by it all and a muzzle won't reduce the stress but should help reduce injuries.
Is hand walking strictly needed?

I hadn’t thought of a muzzle, will def consider it. Depends a little bit on yard staff if they will take it on/off when they turn out. Yeah, as turn out is 8-2, evening walks are important to support recovery

 

[HashRouge]

Does she have to be walked in the arena, or do you have a drive she could be walked up and down (if safe)? Is there a horse walker? How long does she need to be walked for?

If she can really only be walked in the arena, I would be thinking that either, she should only be walked when the arena is empty and other people should be asked not to use it while she is in there; or you accept that someone will have to sit on her to do it, for the sake of keeping everyone safe.

 

[stangs]

I’d be giving her plenty of enrichment if I were you. Hopefully, more mental stimulation will make her a little easier to manage.

Muzzle her if need be, but that’s just a temporary solution.

 

[Squeak]

I hadn’t thought of a muzzle, will def consider it. Depends a little bit on yard staff if they will take it on/off when they turn out. Yeah, as turn out is 8-2, evening walks are important to support recovery

Could she be turned out 24/7 if the yard allowed it? If so I'd probably be looking at a temporary yard move to 24/7 turnout so that you don't have to hand walk at all and hopefully it might make it a bit easier on her mentally too.

 

[QueenT]

Could she be turned out 24/7 if the yard allowed it? If so I'd probably be looking at a temporary yard move to 24/7 turnout so that you don't have to hand walk at all and hopefully it might make it a bit easier on her mentally too.

no option to turn out 24/7 and we have two others horses at the same yard, so we can’t move right now. Plus, I think I’d stress her more to move temporarily