Horseback Rider
Well-Known Member
My 12 yr old TB gelding (ex racer) was diagnosed at the end of last year with a spavin on his hock being an ex racer he has a few knocks and bumps so it was decided the best thing was Tildren which he had in January. While he was out in the field one day he had a bot of a scrap with the post and rail fencing and that leg !!
So we gave him longer off and then when the specialist came back he also X rayed his back and he had slight kissing spines so he gave him Quartizone injections and another week off. So then having not taken him off the yard since before christmas and it's now March we started trying to lunge which went OK and then tried hacking which was a disaster so tried hacking out with sensible friend and her horse. Couldn't even get off the yard - bucking, rearing etc so had vet back out and he has a sore spot still on back just behind where he has injections. Vet said a couple of days of bute gradually reduce it and then start lunging.
Have started trying to lunge and he is ok for a little while then just starts rearing up coming towards me. Leading to and from the field has always been a bit tricky with him as if he is the last one to go out or come in he is a nightmare so I pay someone to bring him in the evenings and if needed we use a Chiffney which he used to respect but now seems to make now difference whatsoever ??
He has recently moved paddocks so he closer to the yard and less for me to lead him which is handy when he is naughty. However the owner of the horse in the neighbouring field is concerned about his cantering up and down - it's only when he first goes out - and that's what horses do don't they ?? I don't really want any further vets bills either !! Lucky for some people they never have any issues with their horses and always feel it right to bitch about you behind your back which really isn't helping the way I am feeling at the moment!!
Well basically I have had him for 4 years and worked quite hard with him on napping etc and before all this he was generally a laid back chap but now he is getting worse and worse and I have realised that I am starting to loose my nerve with him ........ I can't afford to keep a field ornament and if there is anything further wrong with him I will of course do my best to help him but I now am unsure what is pain related and whats just bad behaviour ??
So we gave him longer off and then when the specialist came back he also X rayed his back and he had slight kissing spines so he gave him Quartizone injections and another week off. So then having not taken him off the yard since before christmas and it's now March we started trying to lunge which went OK and then tried hacking which was a disaster so tried hacking out with sensible friend and her horse. Couldn't even get off the yard - bucking, rearing etc so had vet back out and he has a sore spot still on back just behind where he has injections. Vet said a couple of days of bute gradually reduce it and then start lunging.
Have started trying to lunge and he is ok for a little while then just starts rearing up coming towards me. Leading to and from the field has always been a bit tricky with him as if he is the last one to go out or come in he is a nightmare so I pay someone to bring him in the evenings and if needed we use a Chiffney which he used to respect but now seems to make now difference whatsoever ??
He has recently moved paddocks so he closer to the yard and less for me to lead him which is handy when he is naughty. However the owner of the horse in the neighbouring field is concerned about his cantering up and down - it's only when he first goes out - and that's what horses do don't they ?? I don't really want any further vets bills either !! Lucky for some people they never have any issues with their horses and always feel it right to bitch about you behind your back which really isn't helping the way I am feeling at the moment!!
Well basically I have had him for 4 years and worked quite hard with him on napping etc and before all this he was generally a laid back chap but now he is getting worse and worse and I have realised that I am starting to loose my nerve with him ........ I can't afford to keep a field ornament and if there is anything further wrong with him I will of course do my best to help him but I now am unsure what is pain related and whats just bad behaviour ??
Have u tried a bute trial? That would tell you if the behavior is pain-related. I don't just mean to give him bute one day - i mean a full course, then do something with him after 10 days or so of bute (like pop him on the lunge, or try to ride him out of the yard) and see how he behaves. If it's pain-related, the bad behaviour should stop (unless he is expecting pain even though there isn't any). 
