Need your thoughts please (sorry a bit long)

M

mccarron6769

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 November 2007
Messages
366
Location
Leicestershire
Visit site
Last Thursday was having a great lesson with my boy. He used to be very naughty and nappy but recently he has turned a corner and working v nicely. Right from the start he was pulling his head down and arguing with my hand as if he wasn't comfortable and I mentioned it a few times to my trainer, who incidentally is my saddler, but he was moving so nicely he couldn't see anything wrong. About half way through, after working very well despite the arguments, he stopped and refused to go forward one step. It was not nappy and when I got off his eye looked genuine and not mischevious. We couldn't find anything obviously wrong other than he seemed a bit short walking on one rein compared to the other. Gave him a few days off and seemed to be ok. Friend rode him today and he did the same again after half and hour of working fine, but she also said he was arguing with her despite doing what she asked. She thought he was being nappy but I'm really not convinced as there doesn't seem to be any reason for him to suddenly start being difficult again. New saddle a few weeks ago and it fits perfect - no sign of any tenderness in his back - not long since his last back and teeth check up. Any thoughts? Am thinking he could have tweaked a muscle somewhere. Who would you call in, chiro, physio or vet, or just more time off
confused.gif
 
I would get out a physio to put your mind at rest but from experience its easy to make excuses for them when they really are just challenging you - what does he do if you get after him for doing it? I would think if there was something wrong physically then he wouldn't be working nicely for half an hour he'd do it immediately - my view is perhaps he does half n hour work and thinks hes done enough so stops? But of course i'm not there so cannot judge.
 
A few months ago I would have thought the same but he is generally a very honest horse. He was working very well apart from the attempts to stretch and pull wheareas for the last few weeks he has been working very well into the contact. He just didn't feel 100%. Normally when he's starting to find the work a bit hard his head nods and we stop and let him have a stretch. Previously when he's been nappy he would walk sideways towards the gate but when it started we were actually stopped about 5 metres from the gate facing it and when I asked him to move forward he just wouldn't budge, not sideways, no head down, no bucks, no other sign of bad behaviour, just no way I'm not walking another step. He had been in all day the previous day for a vaccination and went out during the Thursday - clearly had a good roll - and then the lesson on Thursday night which is why I'm wondering whether he tweaked a muscle, tried to work through it and eventually it got too painful. Is that feasible?? I know my muscles sometimes cease up after a period of work.
smirk.gif
 
What vaccine was it may I ask? Yeh he definately could have pulled a muscle but i would have thought it would have shown from the minute you started working him? I would defo suggest getting physio out if you're worried
 
We're always told by our vet to wait a couple of days before riding afer a jab. Maybe he's just feeling a bit off after it and will feel better in a few days? Depends what vaccine of course.

x
 
Vaccines should be IV though and shouldnt be a sore muscle reason but does sometimes put them off for a few days.

I would get a physio just to check.
 
Mild azoturia? Did he walk away comfortably in hand when you got off? Did he sweat up at all? If you've experienced 'tying up' before you'll probably know if it's a possibility or not, if you've not its worth looking into.
 
No tying up at all and no sign of sweating. The vaccination was the second of his normal vacs because being a disorganised tit I missed his annual booster in November so started the course all over again. The vet said he could have gentle exercise and all he got was walk and short trot around a field, which is the same as he had when the first vac was given. Thanks for all your thoughts. We have another lesson tomorrow night so will spend a long time warming up and see what he's like. Any repeat performance and I'll get the physio.
 
Maybe soreness in his neck/shoulder area? As you dont think it is him being 'naughty' he may have a tightness that as you ask him to work a bit more (after 20mins) catches and he'd rather not do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top