losing all hope

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vickers22

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i dont know what has happened to my boy recently(he is a tbxcon 16hh)but i cant cope!i took him hunting and he was a prat, which he is normally out hunting but this time he lunged forwards in a small rear to try and go faster(and perhaps get me off-who knows)and it was up a hill so i was leaning forward, and he whacked my chin knocking my jaw sideways. Then he did it again in the same place so i know have a bad cut on my chin, and i couldnt eat for a day. Took him to an arena yesterday and at first he was good with dressage, then started sj, and he startes being a complete loon. He was racing around and refusing loads(which he doesnt normally do)and getting all worked up, prancing about and bouncing about. I dont know what to do, and i was nearly in tears so please if anyone has any advice...i have almost had it
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Check Back, teeth, tack, get a good instructor, feed to suit him (i.e my boy events on Alfa A & if anyone questions it they can ride him on comp mix!)

Perhaps try a calmer? It's not for everyone, but NAF magic Calm made a big difference to D.

A good encouraging instructor is the most important thing.
 
What about calm and condition? And perhaps bulk up a bit with hi fi? Also, presumably out hunting you are jumping or on rough terrani and if he's gettnig ailly when it comes to jumping there could a be joint/muscular problem in there somewhere. If he's being naughty his neck will be all loose, if he's really upset, if will be hard, a good indication of something being up with him. Have tried the old tack/back/teeth routine?

Jules xx
 
I'd also asses his feed
If he's a poor dooer and you're worried about him losing condition if you reduce his feed how about a feed balancer or similar?
Sadie (ISH type) is a really poor doer, and she can't have any form of nuts or mixes at all otherwise she becomes completely unmanageable. She's done fantastically this winter on good qaulity hay ad lib, alf alfa, speedi beet and equilibra 500.

Also obvious checks of any pain or discomfort etc.
 
i have just started him on topspec calmer(only 4 days ago so no difference expected yet)his teeth and back have recently been checked, and his saddle is fine. I havnt got a constant inrtructor yet, but will soon be getting much more lessons on him. I dont know which bit to use with him either, as he seems to be strong and hate every bit(tosses his head up when i pull gently on reins)
 
well i had him in a dutch gag happy mouth with a leather strap behind, but he hated that. I try to ride him in a snaffle but he just is not stoppable-tucks his head under and just wont stop. Even in a pelham he is strong, and most bits seem to cut the corners of his mouth. Have also tried a american gag which he is STILL quite strong in(this is with a lozenge in the middle) He just seems to hate all the bits i put him in, if i pull him up he throws his head up and does lots of little head shakes.
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i have been thinking about trying one of these-which one does she have?there are so many to chose from i wouldnt have a clue where to start!
 
That sounds very much like his mouth is bothering him. Have you tried something mild like one of those wee "magic" snaffles, ported mullen mouth(think that's the right term)
 
wel thats the mouth piece i was thinking of trying-but honestly done know if a snaffle willl be strong enough as he just runs through the bit. However i can always try!think it will be ebay or hiring!
 
Regarding feed, try looking at simple systems, I had a poor winter doer who went fruit loop with most feeds. I feed SS sugar beet, alphafa and ruff stuff chaff with their total eclipse feed balanver. Result - calm, fit happy horse who has come out of winter dare I say on the 'plump' side.

I use a myler comfort snaffle - this helped my girl who had bit issues. Ditto back, teeth, saddle then get a good instructor to take a look at you and horse - good luck
 
ok well i definitely think i will try a myler bit. He is on toppsec cond flakes is this is the only thing that i found to put weight on, with dengie hi fi which im about to cut out, and speedi beet and sunflower seeds. havnt tried simple systems, but i get so many people telling me to try different things its hard to keep up
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!will look into it though.I have also been suggested to try spillers horse and pony cubes, the non heating ones, and equilibra 500. i just dont want to spend loads of money and find it doesnt work, but then i guess ill have to try and see...
 
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