NEED HELP - Horse turned dangerous travelling

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Vet checks he had vet come and look over him for assessment feel for pain etc, had him scopes for ulcers, had phsyio out, teeth, saddle, he is happy in himself, looks fantastic, shiny, not lame or showing any signs of injury, so i think maybe impatience temper tantrum, or anxiety / worry causing these behaviour outbursts, seemed to loose confidence been left on his own (without me in there etc, or walking away when he's in the stable etc) great to exercise


How did you find this out - was it through x rays? He hasn't had any x rays - Physio has done a session on him but didn't bring up any poll pain/ soreness, same with vet she had a good feel of him, he also had a bridle fitter not long ago

One of our Appaloosa mares started showing a slightly odd movement in trot, when ridden, not exactly lame but slightly hesitant with one front foot. We used an excellent back specialist vet, who treated her with acupuncture for poll/neck muscle problems.

We don't know what caused that problem initially but a different Appy mare, kept on a different yard, banged her head/poll on a stone lintel over the stable door, when some children running down the yard made her jump. She had obvious bruising, which showed up when she was lead in a halter. Fortunately she was mostly living out at the time, so we avoided leading for a couple of weeks and she recovered quickly.

 

[Eventing97]

If you've had him four years, since he was 3, and this is new behaviour, then I think it's unlikely that this is going to turn out to be behavioural.

Did the vet do flexion tests when he checked him over?
.

No he didn't have flexions done - watched him trot up and on the lunge though, is this something you think to get done?

 

[ycbm]

No he didn't have flexions done - watched him trot up and on the lunge though, is this something you think to get done?

Definitely. So many times problems which start with travelling turn out to be the hocks. I would do them myself though, no cost.
.

 

[Hackback]

I think it could be behavioural, not necessarily physical. I wonder if something happened to upset him the first time it happened - could have been trigger stacking, a sting etc - and now he's so anxious that the box has become a huge issue for him? I have one like that - it only takes one little thing to upset him and he 'spirals' (in Joe's words) and holds onto his anxiety for ages.

I also recommend Joe Midgley (he's been a life saver for me) but he is notoriously difficult to get hold of - you have to keep messaging him. I'm sure someone like Joe could help ascertain whether it's a physical issue or mental block.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

What vet checks has he had? How in depth were they?

Sudden onset travelling problems can often stem from an ouch which is exacerbated by travelling.

This.. my gelding was always amazing to travel, would stand for hours, load himself. He started to become stressed, he would freak out if we stopped and he wasn’t instantly taken off the trailer. He went over the breast bar and nearly came out the front window in my 506!

I removed the partition, had the vet out and nothing was found. A year later I got another vet and chiropractors opinion. Long story short, after full body X-rays, he had a malformation in the lower neck. The breast bar was pushing onto that area and hurting.

I’d definitely do more investigations.

 

[Eventing97]

One of our Appaloosa mares started showing a slightly odd movement in trot, when ridden, not exactly lame but slightly hesitant with one front foot. We used an excellent back specialist vet, who treated her with acupuncture for poll/neck muscle problems.

We don't know what caused that problem initially but a different Appy mare, kept on a different yard, banged her head/poll on a stone lintel over the stable door, when some children running down the yard made her jump. She had obvious bruising, which showed up when she was lead in a halter. Fortunately she was mostly living out at the time, so we avoided leading for a couple of weeks and she recovered quickly.

Ahh I see - I've probably ruled out a poll issue then as he has had a physio out, glad you got yours sorted

This.. my gelding was always amazing to travel, would stand for hours, load himself. He started to become stressed, he would freak out if we stopped and he wasn’t instantly taken off the trailer. He went over the breast bar and nearly came out the front window in my 506!

I removed the partition, had the vet out and nothing was found. A year later I got another vet and chiropractors opinion. Long story short, after full body X-rays, he had a malformation in the lower neck. The breast bar was pushing onto that area and hurting.

I’d definitely do more investigations.

Interesting thanks, will have a word with my vet.. how straight forward were the full body x rays and cost if you don't mind me asking please?

 

[Eventing97]

I think it could be behavioural, not necessarily physical. I wonder if something happened to upset him the first time it happened - could have been trigger stacking, a sting etc - and now he's so anxious that the box has become a huge issue for him? I have one like that - it only takes one little thing to upset him and he 'spirals' (in Joe's words) and holds onto his anxiety for ages.

I also recommend Joe Midgley (he's been a life saver for me) but he is notoriously difficult to get hold of - you have to keep messaging him. I'm sure someone like Joe could help ascertain whether it's a physical issue or mental block.

I've had a few instructors say he's an internal worrier so this could be likely, thanks I've messaged Joe, I've also had a lot of recommendations on facebook for Michael Peace but he's about £400 a session..I'm not sure where he's based, how much is Joe if you don't mind me asking please, I have asked but have seen online it's hard to get hold of him!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi all,

Posting on here as I need help with my horse regarding travelling. He has left me pretty shaken up and I'm looking for recommendations for a professional who deals with these issues to come out and help me, I am in Lincolnshire.

Horse has had usually mot done and vet checked, box has been checked, same driver and horsebox since he started going out (he's now rising 7) never had a bad experience, usually outings are nice hacks with friends, the odd lesson etc!! Always been 100%. I believe it's impatience and anxiety as he started been like it tied up on the yard to groom/tack up and also in the stable, apart from in the box he's turned dangerous and explosive when standing, when he's decided he wants to get off. No loading issues, travels fine (sometimes paws for a minute or so) so the issue it tying him up and not able to get the ramp up quick enough before he's decided he wants to get off, snapping ropes and throwing himself about. He is a big strong horse and I am a small female. He is great to ride when we get the the other end.

Thank you !!

You say he travels fine but have you got cctv in their to see if he is happy or frozen in fear???

Can you try standing in the back where he goes and gets the driver just to do a short route with you, (I know it isn't legal) but gives you the feeling and sounds he may be experiencing but you don't know first hand.
I changed my chassie on my cargo from 82- 96 but same body, my otherwise perfect mare all of a sudden started being restless in the lorry. When we got to the even and then coming home, other mare put in the first partition and she did the same. Chassis more under the body made more noise and vibrations than before.

I know you said it is the same lorry but maybe it is making different noises now when moving which is scaring him.

Maybe if there are windows on the drivers side he hates large vehicles going past, my last lorry did and mare always worried about this.

Also some horses prefer more room in between partitions where as others prefer being tightly packed

 

[Eventing97]

You say he travels fine but have you got cctv in their to see if he is happy or frozen in fear???

Can you try standing in the back where he goes and gets the driver just to do a short route with you, (I know it isn't legal) but gives you the feeling and sounds he may be experiencing but you don't know first hand.
I changed my chassie on my cargo from 82- 96 but same body, my otherwise perfect mare all of a sudden started being restless in the lorry. When we got to the even and then coming home, other mare put in the first partition and she did the same. Chassis more under the body made more noise and vibrations than before.

I know you said it is the same lorry but maybe it is making different noises now when moving which is scaring him.

Maybe if there are windows on the drivers side he hates large vehicles going past, my last lorry did and mare always worried about this.

Yes have cameras in there so I can see him when I'm driving - he eats his hay and stands still, the odd time might paw for a minute then stops for the rest of journey, hasn't exploded or done anything crazy when we are moving - it's me leaving him to grab the ramp when he's kicking off. Last year I had him out 1-2 times a week through the summer on my own and he was fab

Yes good idea, am going to give that a go and see if anythings making noises to upset him in there, and yes about the windows - he does hate lorries over taking us - i.e on a dual carriage way, but it's rare we have to go on one, only if we're travelling over 45 mins away, everything is pretty local to us, he has 3 windows on the drivers side, he does get spooked but settles immediately after, he is not good to hack out with anything bigger than cars either. I'm considering selling my box to get a 3.5 stallion stall, as at least it takes the worry away of getting up onto the anti-jump wall, although I'm not sure if he likes having the wall infront of him.. my lorry is simular set up to this, but more windows and the slope is higher/ not as open.

 

[nagblagger]

I wonder, reading the other posts about neck problems and poll pressure, with a trailer like that there is no where for the horse to lower their neck/head slightly as it's boxed in, could you try a more open front trailer where he has a lower head carriage?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Interesting thanks, will have a word with my vet.. how straight forward were the full body x rays and cost if you don't mind me asking please?

This was 5/6 years ago now, he wasn’t insured so my vet back then took X-rays of his back, hocks, stifles and neck for about £400 - he did me a pretty good price.

Really hope you get to the bottom of it!

 

[Old school]

I popped up four mirrors (adhesive) so mare can look at herself. Also I now give her a decent feed about an hour before travelling (both directions). She has a hay net also (always had). Massive change. She used to arrive in a huge sweat and was horribly unsettled when travelling. Much improved now. However she has full stall. Nothing in front of her. So lots of room.

 

[Eventing97]

I popped up four mirrors (adhesive) so mare can look at herself. Also I now give her a decent feed about an hour before travelling (both directions). She has a hay net also (always had). Massive change. She used to arrive in a huge sweat and was horribly unsettled when travelling. Much improved now. However she has full stall. Nothing in front of her. So lots of room.

That's a good idea thanks, will also try that, although he's never had a travel buddy. Yes always give hay and a bucket of chaff before as always thinking about ulcers, bless her, glad you got to the bottom of yours. Yes am really considering swapping my horsebox to a open/ stallion stall so he has nothing to climb up onto

 

[Eventing97]

None of the recommended people have replied - has anyone got any other recommendations for pro help please?