Now pain free, turned into a plod?

Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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Basically the title. Does anyone have experience with a horse that had physical issues, then once fixed was so much more laid back and even a plod at times?

My gelding has neck arthritis and had his neck medicated in December, since hes been back into work hes so chilled out. He now needs leg to get him going! Prior to this my leg never touched his side.. he was very wizzy, rushed everything, always fretting, very full on and wanted to get the job done.

Hes like a completely different horse. He feels comfortable, just so laid back, hes even piled weight on for the first time in 5 years on the same diet as every year. He use to get buckets of feed twice a day , now he gets half a handful of chaff and balancer.

I'm not sure if this is 'normal' or something else is wrong?
Hes got all over clear x-rays from December, is 100% sound and vet has said to crack on getting him fit. I am just a bit paranoid..
 
I'd think he was reacting to pain before, and now he is comfortable his true nature is coming out. I've had the opposite, my usually pretty chilled out horse suddenly became very spooky, sharp, and seemingly full of himself. It wasn't until he bucked me off, and I got a physio to check him that I discovered he had a really sore neck. Now his neck is sorted he is back to being his normal self.
 
Pain stresses horses.
Sounds like a great result enjoy getting your horse fully fit and as soon as you see any return of the old behaviour get him medicated again .
Enjoy every moment .
 
I would say for the first time you've actually got your horse at 'normal' and he's not reacting to pain.

My friends horse went from a steady suitable for a novice type to a spooky, rushing, anxious boy (however never bucked/reared or bolted). Had loads of checks done with nothing flagged up just told to get on with it and that basically he was too much for his owner. They stuck with their gut instinct that something was wrong and turned out he had sacroiliac pain and both hind suspensories gone. Both were treated and she now has her wonderful boy back. Thankfully he's only a happy hack so stood a good chance of a successful result.

Its totally highlighted to me how pain can affect your horses personality both ridden and in hand.
 
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