Not going forward in the school

[ImmyS]

sadly both although someone on the ground motivates me more, on my own I just feel like giving up!

has your instructor ridden the horse?

It does sound like there is more to this than just you lacking confidence/horse taking the mick. If he was going well not long ago and now a sudden change this would suggest pain/discomfort. It may just be that your friend is a ‘stronger’ rider and pushed him through it - that’s doesn’t mean that there isn’t pain causing the behaviour.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

why would his joints be hurting? he is only 7 and has a easy life broken at rising 4 and I got him about 5 months after, not sure what happened to him in between that time as cant track down the person named in the passport but it was only a couple of months

I’d have his muscle enzymes checked as well to check he hasn’t got PSSM type 1 or 2. It’s now thought it’s in Welsh D lines and they’re testing a lot of stallions for it.

My Welsh D was exact the same as yours, easy life and owned him and backed him at 4. He had suspensory issues and a muscle myopathy which caused him to be lazy and behind the leg.

I’d get the vet out, he could be in pain therefore trying to do less.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

well surely the physio who is sees every six months would pick that up? I have known horses with si issues and he is nothing like them, I do think its an attitude issue and he reads me like a book knows how to make me back off so I am just having a few easy weeks with him over Christmas not making myself ride unless I want to, see how we feel in January

Physios can only tell you what they can feel and they definitely can’t feel the SI. Even a vet would struggle and usually they nerve block to see if thefts a difference. I had 3 physios tell me my horses back wasn’t sore and X-rays showed chronic kissing spine, which was causing significant pain.

Not the physios fault, but glad I got X-rays taken.

I doubt it’s a attitude issue, horses aren’t like humans.. sounds like he is sore somewhere to me.

 

[catembi]

FWIW, my QHxTB started not wanting to go forward and nodding his head. I have had a ‘proper’ headshaker and it wasn’t like that. More of an up and down nod and sometimes almost a flap. He had PSSM. But then my ISH has it and didn’t nod his head. ?‍

 

[NooNoo59]

No as she is too big for him she is 5ft 10 and chunky. I am chunky but only 5ft 2, but my friend has ridden him she says he feels fine once he has been told that he has to move forward.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

why would his joints be hurting? he is only 7 and has a easy life broken at rising 4 and I got him about 5 months after, not sure what happened to him in between that time as cant track down the person named in the passport but it was only a couple of months

I suppose being young and/or having (or had) an easy life doesn't really mean a horse won't have, or can't develop, joint issues. I got my connie when he had just turned 4 and his stifle issue was only diagnosed at 6yo (after 2 years of strange symptoms, lots of time off and the physio/vet scratching their respective heads). My IDx's bone spavin was diagnosed at 9yo but he'd been showing signs since around 7yo (and possibly before). With both the very first sign was a reluctance in going forward whereas previously they'd been fine. The rest of the signs included being very clumsy over small jumps or when doing polework, random sore backs, hind toe dragging and occasional tripping. With the IDx he also kept falling onto the forehand and leaning on the bit and eventually displayed weird neck problems (so bad the vet was convinced he had neck arthritis). Neither horse has had (or have) a hard life - they are mainly used for hacking, light flatwork and I occasionally dabble in trec arena events and low level dressage. When I got them they'd just been backed so I did lots of ground work and long reining, rather than lots of intensive schooling. On hindsight I should have got them xrayed at their vettings but I'm not even sure those issues would have been spotted then (as they were both young). The weight thing is interesting too - because the heavier they are the more stress gets put on their joints. When the IDx was diagnosed the vet told me I must keep the weight off him to protect his hocks as much as possible (lets just say this horse can eat for Britain!!).