Never thought I’d be writing this :(

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So this could have been the sugar content? It’s so confusing! An innocent old carrot hey. But yet, I strongly remember this affecting Prince. X

He was an ex racer, not sure if it was the sugar content or an allergy to carotine (i have no idea if such a thing exists?), the vet suggested stripping all feed and we did and reintroduced everything very slowly and it was clear it was the carrots. He still, cant have them (new owner had told me she tried him a couple of times over the years shes owned him and they still make him incredibly itchy).
 

Dreamer2020

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Keira I just wanted to add my kind thoughts to some of the others on here. You are doing your absolute best for Prince and if he could have picked anyone I'm sure he would have chosen you. It is lovely that the elderly gentleman is letting your daughter ride his horse ... like you said, this will benefit all of you and has come at the right time. I don't have any further advice, but just wanted to say thank you for your updates. You are a kind lady with a big heart and the world needs more people like you xx
 

ponyparty

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I have to agree that a year out of all work might not be the best thing for a horse his age; losing muscle condition and fitness can exacerbate some conditions.

I’d suggest - provided you’re fairly confident he’s free from pain - getting an experienced instructor who’s able to help you with groundwork. You can do lots of stuff on the ground to help keep him fairly fit and supple, so he doesn’t lose his core. (Not lots of lunging in gadgets - actual groundwork, raised poles in walk, maybe some long reining if he’s well behaved for this).

Up to you entirely of course - that’s just what I’d do in this situation, I think. Try and keep him ticking over and use this as an opportunity to get to know him, his way of going, and what makes him tick.

It’s a steep learning curve but you’ll get there :) best of luck with him.
 

Equi

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Maybe he just doesn’t like the yard. My horse would go batshit bananas at old yard in summer for a reason I couldn’t fathom making him quite a handful on the ground (happened when horses were in or out so wasn’t company related) but hasn’t had the behaviour once since moving to new yard and is the main reason I was afraid to move yards because I didn’t think anyone else would want to handle it. Someone from the old yard visited him and said what a miraculous change it’s made.

this doesn’t mean I think you or your daughter could just hop back on but it definitely could help his mental state for trying in the future.
 

Keira 8888

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Maybe he just doesn’t like the yard. My horse would go batshit bananas at old yard in summer for a reason I couldn’t fathom making him quite a handful on the ground (happened when horses were in or out so wasn’t company related) but hasn’t had the behaviour once since moving to new yard and is the main reason I was afraid to move yards because I didn’t think anyone else would want to handle it. Someone from the old yard visited him and said what a miraculous change it’s made.

this doesn’t mean I think you or your daughter could just hop back on but it definitely could help his mental state for trying in the future.
I wonder why this happens? X
 

Keira 8888

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Thank you everyone so much for your replies - so sorry I haven’t replied to each one but I want you to know I am very grateful for everyone taking the time to help. You guys are the best. Never been much of a “forum” person but I have to say this particular forum is absolutely fantastic, Ive learnt so much. Everyone is so busy these days with “life” in general so to take the time out to advise/comfort/reassure a total stranger is a pretty amazing thing. Xxx
 

doodle

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After I lost Minto I moved my other horse (along with my friends horse who he was in a field with and in new yard in a field with and a stable beside) to that yard. ( so going from a livery yard to a farm). Soli hated it. Lost 100kg, gave himself ulcers and cost 2.5k in vet fees trying to work what on earth was wrong. Diagnosis from vet was he didn’t like new yard. I moved him “home”, I had still been boxing back to use school, and he immediately sighed happily, settled back in and started putting weight back on. No idea what he didn’t like!
 

Keira 8888

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After I lost Minto I moved my other horse (along with my friends horse who he was in a field with and in new yard in a field with and a stable beside) to that yard. ( so going from a livery yard to a farm). Soli hated it. Lost 100kg, gave himself ulcers and cost 2.5k in vet fees trying to work what on earth was wrong. Diagnosis from vet was he didn’t like new yard. I moved him “home”, I had still been boxing back to use school, and he immediately sighed happily, settled back in and started putting weight back on. No idea what he didn’t like!
This is so interesting... but makes sense I guess. Home is home after all.. but what makes a “home” to a horse?? Happy memories? Smells?? Routine?? X
 

doodle

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It’s strange isn’t it. I had had him 4 1/2 years before moving him. He was an ex racer who had gone from racing to a new home then to me in 4 months. He possibly had ulcers when I got him. He was hard to get weight on but was a young ex racer and we got there slowly. I thought moving with his field buddy, me and his same routine he would be ok but after 4 months there called it quits. Even though he had to go into isolation he didn’t mind.
 

Caol Ila

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I wonder why this happens? X

If I had an answer to that, I would be a millionaire. My horse has spent the last twenty years taking offense at yards for reasons known only to her. The closest I ever got to a diagnosis was my vet saying, "Well, the owner of that yard is pretty strange, and her husband is even weirder." When she takes a dislike to a place she fencewalks. And fencewalks. But when she likes a yard, she doesn't fencewalk. God knows what triggers that stereotypy.
 

fankino04

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My Welsh x took exception to 1 yard, no idea why, she was on DIY so no change in routine or handler, but from day 1 she was difficult, bargy, just wouldn't settle and she got worse every day, in the end leading her from the field or being in a stable with her became so difficult she stayed out all winter. When we moved to a new yard, she came off the box, into her stable and literally gave a big sigh and was good as gold in the new place. No idea why it happened...
 

Trouper

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Horses just "know stuff". They know what they need to eat and where they like (feel safe) to lay their heads - it's just we folk who have to do the hard work to get on the same wavelength with them. I have learnt through, making mistakes, that it really is best to start simple in all areas and build up from there. So the simplest feeds - I used Thunderbrooks plain chaff and their equally plain balancer (because I will always use a balancer) and then just as much grass/good quality hay as they need. I learnt the hard way that one of mine could happily munch soaked hay all day but a mouthful of haylage and watch out!! In terms of work/exercise it was the same principle - start small and simple and work up - and only work up when you are happy that the previous stage is going well and is established.
Above all - enjoy the journey and don't be put off by setbacks. It is a fascinating way to spend your days!!
 

zandp

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One of mine can't eat alfalfa at all - the other one has hated some yards we've been on and is very clear about telling anyone who'll listen that she hates them !

ref the hives - the one of mine who used to get hives for no apparent reason was diagnosed with PPID. Heat regulation - issues with it - is a side effect of PPID and that can cause some extreme behaviours.
 

LaurenBay

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Mine was on 3 different yards. She hated one and was unrecognisable. I hated it too and instantly regretted moving there, wonder if she picked up on my feelings? but we moved off back to a previous yard and I swear I saw her breathe a sigh of relief when we unloaded her!
 

Keira 8888

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UPDATE!!!

Hi guys,

Hope you are all well.

Little update on Prince.

Things are going VERY well. A very very kind and knowledgable member of this forum (alwaysmoretoknow) has been helping me with him and we are going from strength to strength. Picking hooves out with ease, extracting him from a crowded field of horses with confidence, working with ground manners etc.. He is just a dream.

Today I finally heard back from leisure horse Ireland and they are cancelling his passport (that was issued recently based on the SECOND microchip number) They advised me to contact sports horse Ireland to get a duplicate passport and to see if I could find out anymore history about him.

Unfortunately- I had an email from sports horse Ireland today saying that because the original registration was for a non pedigree identity document they won’t be able to tell me any more about his history. Not quite sure what that means but I will go and research it. But disappointed as I thought the whole point of an animal being microchipped was to log history and ownership. Never mind. Onwards and upwards. He is an absolutely gent and I am so glad I made the decision to keep him xx
 

Laurac13

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Oh Kiera that is wonderful news I am so pleased he is doing well and you are both happy ? It’s shame the passport people aren’t able to give you more info tho that’s a bit frustrating but it sounds like you’ve both landed on your feet with the new place and the kind helper ? x
 

stormox

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UPDATE!!!

Hi guys,

Hope you are all well.

Little update on Prince.


Today I finally heard back from leisure horse Ireland and they are cancelling his passport (that was issued recently based on the SECOND microchip number) They advised me to contact sports horse Ireland to get a duplicate passport and to see if I could find out anymore history about him.

Unfortunately- I had an email from sports horse Ireland today saying that because the original registration was for a non pedigree identity document they won’t be able to tell me any more about his history. Not quite sure what that means but I will go and research it. But disappointed as I thought the whole point of an animal being microchipped was to log history and ownership. Never mind. Onwards and upwards. He is an absolutely gent and I am so glad I made the decision to keep him xx
I think what they mean is white HSI passports are just identity documents. They have no breeder or horses pedigree on them, they are for identity purposes only. They usually show who the passport is issued to on them but data protection laws may prevent HSI from passing that info on although it should be recorded in the passport.
The blue or green HSI passports have breeding, breeder etc and are DNA tested to ensure parentage.
 
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Keira 8888

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Oh Kiera that is wonderful news I am so pleased he is doing well and you are both happy ? It’s shame the passport people aren’t able to give you more info tho that’s a bit frustrating but it sounds like you’ve both landed on your feet with the new place and the kind helper ? x
Thank you so much Laura ???
 

Keira 8888

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I think what they mean is white HSI passports are just identity documents. They have no breeder or horses pedigree on them, they are for identity purposes only. They usually show who the passport is issued to on them but data protection laws may prevent HSI from passing that info on although it should be recorded in the passport.
The blue or green HSI passports have breeding, breeder etc and are DBA tested to ensure parentage.
Ahh this is very interesting ? Maybe once I get a duplicate I can try and trace any owner mentioned on there xx
 

Pippity

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Ahh this is very interesting ? Maybe once I get a duplicate I can try and trace any owner mentioned on there xx

Mine's a duplicate white HSI passport, and it has no information re previous owners. It's essentially a brand new passport, issued at the time she was imported.
 
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