new horse - update/suggestions

[Magicmillbrook]

I posted sometime ago about my new horse - 5yo ex racing TB who spent about 6 - 12 months in an ointensive dressage yard. She was refusing to go forwards even in trot and was rearing, napping, bucking and cow kicking and was very bad to saddle and touch on her sides. When ridden she was very tight in her mouth, we took of her flash noseband and she puts her tounge over the bit and lolls it out. We have had just about everyone out now and it seems that it is down to a combination of three things.

1 - saddle, we have had new saddle fitted and physio treatment.

2 - bit - we have removed the bit and are working in a dually headcollar

3 - Sides - when you put the leg on she will try to kick you away or bites your foot (possibly from overuse of spurs due to the napping - not us I hasten to add)

2 months later things are much improved. We have been doing ground work in hand and long lineing and working on desensitising her sides. She will now do walk, trot & backup trasitions with only the occasional tantrum, she is popping small jumps and we are introducing canter - still get tantrums, particulalry on the first ask, & esp on the right rein. We have tried a variety of bits (as suggested by helpfull H&H forum users) and am now about to try a NS team up - fingers crossed. In all other respects she is very good.

So questions - esp to all you ex racing TB owners

Have you had similar problems - how long has it taken to get over them. Has anyone else had issues with sore sides/horse resenting you putting the leg on. Does anyone think the side issues coulds be related to gastic ulcers, we did notice she bites wood when stressed.

We are keen to get her out hacking, however dont feel we can until we find a suitable bit - anyone had any dealings with insurance companies getting shirty about riding bitless?

Does you horse squeal when it gets cross/has a tantrum - I always worry that it is pain related.

Sorry for the long post - all replies greatfuly received.

 

[KatB]

My thoughts were gatric ulcers. Try something specifically for ulcers, and see if you get an improvement. Coligone is meant to be very soothing...

 

[vicijp]

With these kinds of horses a break can do them the world of good. 3 months + out 24/7, no handling/work at all.
It helps to totally eradicate bad experiences from their memory, and when they come in you can start from a clean slate (hopefully).
To do the most good you have to improve them so far, and end on a good note. The hard bit is knowing when this is. If you do decide to rough her off then dont listen to anyone else as to when. You know her best and its the little things that will tell you when she has done enough to not totally backtrack once out.
As for the stomach ulcers, a good vet will give you an indication towards this from a standard blood profile.

 

[zizz]

Had similar problems with my ex racer, esp with the not moving forwards.
he was unhappy in his mouth until changed to a double jointed filet baucher.
Also was much better after being turned out 24/7.
did about three months just plodding round the field then about 5/6 months schooling before we sold him. I think the hacks really helped him as it took the pressure off as he wasn't being force to learn new things he could get very tense very quickly in the school when he thought he'd got things wrong.
I sold him to a young girl who is now BSJAing him very successfully.

Think the key is to give your horse as much time as possible and just go over things she already knows t give her confidence. my horse was relatively quick to reschool but have dealt with others that have taken over two years to get to the same stage.