Odd Behaviour at show. Confused as what to do *long**

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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The other week, took 5yrold to young competition horse show. Warmed up ok ( despite calling for her mate) did lovely CR and despite numpty (me)riding behind a tree in individual show, was pulled in first
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Went back to lorry, got ready for working hunter class. Then she seemed to change. Was twitching withers and angry swishing tail. Then started broncking for england. Pushed her on, she was ok, then started bronking again. Not a happy mare. There were lots of flies and a wasp around, thought maybe the cause. Went in class - she jumped clear again but broncked a lot in individual show (still got third - mostly just for staying on)
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So, took her home - figured must have been a wasp or something bothering her. rode at home in the week - took her out somewhere else XC (her 1st time) and she was a total angel - not a buck in sight.

So, went to final of young comp horse (1st round was qualifier) back at 1st place. Got her in warm up ring and that was as far as we managed. Loads of bronking, rearing and flat refusal to go forwards. I got off, took saddle off, got on again, more of the same. got off checked legs, got on,again more of the same.
To cut a long story short we had to withdraw as it was getting v dangerous so we went home.
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So - don't know what it was - could she have been stung the first time and then remembered? Or was she just being nappy (can be at times) and having a mare pissy?
Or could it have been cos she was plaited? Each time there was lots of twitching from her and tail swishing. She seemed genuinely upset.
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I have booked the place next monday to take her again when no-one else there so I can see if he is the same. Might lunge her first? What does anyone think? Has anyone had this before? Normally she is a stubborn mare but does go nicely, throws in the odd buck, but never had this before. And she is lovely natured.

Thoughts appreciated
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From my observations it does seem that a lot of sudden bucking problems come from back issues...can you have her checked by someone good ?
 
Exactly the same thing has happened to me with my 4 yo. I've had him for 4 moths and he has been going really well at home- no signs of any napping. He went out to his first baby ODE and apart from eyes on stalks he was really well behaved. Went to our 2nd ODE at West wilts and he napped for 30mins in the dressage warm up- just kicking out and threatening to rear whever he was asked to go forward, then we couldn't get anywhere near the 3rd SJ (napping again).
Since then he has napped a lot at home- both when dressage schooling and out hacking. He has got a slight sore ? insect bite at his girth area which is sensitive to touch but i don't think it is a pain thing, as he only naps when made to go in the direction he doesn't want to. He's fine if going towards home. I'm really upset about it as I though i had this wonderful 4yo. now I'm not surw what to do. My plan is to wait until the girth has healed and then arrange to ride with other people so I can avoid the whole napping thing. I'd love some advice on this.
 
similar thing happened to me with my native.
It was his back, its because in the showring you are asking her to round her back and xc you are not normaly.
Deffinately get her back checked
 
Hmm, that doesn't sound fun at all! poor you
I wonder whether there was something genuinely bothering her the first time and she's now discovered she can use these tactics to get out of work? Probably like most horses XC is more fun so it didn't occur to her to do it then?
Missie had a bit of a problem with some piles of sand at the side of the road when I first got her and would nap at first sight of them. In the end I just avoided them for a few weeks and got her going nicely elsewhere and she basically forgot she ever had a problem. i wonder whether if you work her at home for a while (say until after she's got her back checked so you can rule that out too) and then take her out again, she may have forgotten all about it by then. If not, I would persevere, quietly, until she does what you ask. Personally I wouldn't get off unless I absolutely had to, even if you have to walk away somewhere else and then come back, I did this when Missie first started napping and rearing at the sand piles and I felt it just taught her that her behaviour could have the effect of me getting off ie giving up. Understand why you did it but assuming we can rule out discomfort I'd try and stay on and work through it.
Lunging might be a good idea to settle her down at the place where you had a problem, just chill her out a bit before you get on. Maybe assess her mood when you get her out...
 
TRy taking her to a few low key shows, without actually competing, then do a class, then progress graually from there. The behaviour does sound like the flies/wasps were the initial cause, but the rest is learned behaviour, which can be unlearnt with a bit of persuasion! Good Luck.
 
Thanks guys, think you are all saying what I am thinking! As I said, she's a work shy madam at times - reckon she did have an issue but is now using it as an excuse. donadea - good plan, thanks - I have been working her out and about and she's been fine everywhere else - I just want to see if this is 'place association'. (But then it could also be separation from her mate that's causing it). Agree also about not getting off but I had no choice as show was v busy and organisers asked me to move her.
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(how embassing!)

Fingers crossed for when I take her next (provided lorry is OK)
 
I'm sure she'll be ok in time, they all go through phases! If she's fine elsewhere I'd just not take her there for a while and hope she forgets about it!!
S x
 
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