Is he naughty . . . or ill?

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Cuddly Connemara

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9 year old horse (connemara) hates being mounted - I haven't even managed to use a mounting block. He is lazy(ish) to ride but suddenly bolts - he usually bolts in walk or canter, never in trot. He does seem genuinely scared when he bolts and does not buck or rear like he is trying to get me off (this has been happening for the past 2 months) .
He's such a laid back boy and normally so genuine , that I find it difficult to think he does this out of naughtiness.

He's had his back and saddle checked - perfectly fine, and bit perfectly fine.

Is he in pain or ill ? :(
 
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Impossible for anyone to say but I would say I doubt he's been ill for the 2 years he's been doing this so it's probably something else !
 
There is always a reason - pain or memory of pain, which is why a pain relief trial might not show any improvement. I take it he has been checked for ulcers or kissing spines? They usually present as pain when mounted, but also I would have another look at his saddle, we all know saddle fitters who miss problems.
 
JillA said:
There is always a reason - pain or memory of pain, which is why a pain relief trial might not show any improvement. I take it he has been checked for ulcers or kissing spines? They usually present as pain when mounted, but also I would have another look at his saddle, we all know saddle fitters who miss problems.
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He has been checked for kissing spine and totally fine and his saddle has been checked by numerous fitters and chiropractors.
Ulcers could be a possibility though :( thanks for the suggestion :)
 
A chiropractor can not check your horse and tell you it's back is ok .
Even vets can't be sure , horses can have very severe back pain with no symptoms you can feel under your fingers .
 
Your horse is in pain, it is getting worse and he is trying to tell you the only way he knows.

The only definitive way to check back issues I.e.kissing spine is x.ray. My mare was treated by a highly regarded chiro. but he didn't pick up the KS. The vet said it couldn't be KS because there was no tension in her back (the chiro had done an excellent job of freeing up the tension) and it was only when I insisted that they did an x.ray that the problem showed.

Thermography is a good way to find trouble spots, but you still need a vet to diagnose and treat what is found.

Is your vet an equine specialist, if not perhaps you could ask for a referral to a specialist clinic?
There are any number of things that could be causing his problems, and I think you owe it to your boy to find out what he is trying so hard to tell you.
 
It could possibly be lack of schooling. If you don't already have lessons I'd ask around to find an instructor who can see the behaviour and give you some pointers to correct it. Sometimes ponies simply don't understand what they are being asked to do and it can be difficult to iron out the issues that arise.
 
Digger66 said:
It could possibly be lack of schooling. If you don't already have lessons I'd ask around to find an instructor who can see the behaviour and give you some pointers to correct it. Sometimes ponies simply don't understand what they are being asked to do and it can be difficult to iron out the issues that arise.
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My instructor doesn't understand it and thinks it's totally out of character.
 
Booboos said:
You need a decent equine vet to do a full work up. Anything else is a waste of money.
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A descent equine vet is hard to come by and with some of my experiences I get the impression that some don't diagnose the horse properly or give helpful advice - horse with pneumonia , was told that it should be put down there and then , no thorough examination that was 6 years ago - the horse is still alive!
 
Cuddly Connemara said:
A descent equine vet is hard to come by and with some of my experiences I get the impression that some don't diagnose the horse properly or give helpful advice - horse with pneumonia , was told that it should be put down there and then , no thorough examination that was 6 years ago - the horse is still alive!
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All righty then, I am sure you'll get great diagnosis on the Internet.
 
Booboos said:
All righty then, I am sure you'll get great diagnosis on the Internet.
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Sorry , wasn't aiming to offend you - I'm not looking for a diagnosis on the internet , just really if anyone's experienced anything similar to this.
I have reason to be sceptical of vets , as I explained. But, since I have no other options he will have to be looked at by vet !
 
Cuddly Connemara said:
Sorry , wasn't aiming to offend you - I'm not looking for a diagnosis on the internet , just really if anyone's experienced anything similar to this.
I have reason to be sceptical of vets , as I explained. But, since I have no other options he will have to be looked at by vet !
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I can understand I had an awful experience with a vet some years back and lost all faith, luckily now I am with a great practice who have some really good vets and a fantastic hospital, where are you ? Then maybe someone can recommend a decent vet.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I can understand I had an awful experience with a vet some years back and lost all faith, luckily now I am with a great practice who have some really good vets and a fantastic hospital, where are you ? Then maybe someone can recommend a decent vet.
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Thanks , it was something that I will never forget because I feel guilty that I almost did have her put down when she didn't need to be. I'm registering with a new vet that everyone on my yard has recommended - so hopefully they will be really good. I'm in Cheshire :)
 
Nantwich vets are good. They have good facilities and are on the ball with lameness workups. I'm a client, and they are always happy for me to take a horse there to be checked out without insisting on a previous home visit (works out cheaper).

There's an arena there, so that ridden work can be assessed too.
 
Cuddly Connemara said:
A descent equine vet is hard to come by and with some of my experiences I get the impression that some don't diagnose the horse properly or give helpful advice - horse with pneumonia , was told that it should be put down there and then , no thorough examination that was 6 years ago - the horse is still alive!
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I agree with you a decent vet is hard to come by ,the vets we use now is the NANTWICH GROUP PRACTISE they are amazing ,our mare was in the hospital in July for 11 days ,she had an abscess in her airway she had emergency life saving surgery in her stable the day before going to the hospital. For all the mare went through and she must have been in the most terrible pain she always wants to go see this vet when he comes on the yard . Like you I could write a book on bad vets , I have lost a beautiful pony because of one,and another pony badly let down but he survived no thanks to the vet . Have a look at the Nantwich web page or give them a call they really are good .
 
Is the bolting only when being ridden, have you lunged him, or taken him out for a walk in hand? does he do it then?
Have you just tried leaning over him without a saddle on in his stable, does he stand still then?
Do you hack out on him with other horses, if so does he bolt then?
 
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