4leggedfurries
Well-Known Member
Nearly 4 years ago I bought a sweet, loving horse that you could do anything with, ride any where and he was a dream to handle. Over time his riding became difficult going from the ocassional minor spook to having a heart attack over the smallest thing and on several ocassions breaking my bones (badly at times) because of his unpredictabilty. Unfortunately at the begining of the year I had to retire him as he was dangerously unpredictable to ride any more.
Now over the last 18 months getting on for two years his behaviour in the field and stable has been getting worse also, to the point where he is fast becoming a nightmare to handle. He never used to be clingy to horses, you were able to leave him in or out on his own all day no problem, to not even being able to bring him on the yard by himself with out a major hissy fit. He throws himself around the stable, box walks, headshakes and has a major tantrum. He's a nightmare to catch (I used to be able to lead him just by holding his chin, and he would drop everything and be at the gate waiting for you as soon as he heard your voice/car) to which last night he had to stay out on his own because I couldnt catch him at all.
I had the vet out to him a couple of weeks ago who gave him a full work up but couldnt find anything wrong. He put him on a course of pain killers to see if that would help. It didnt and put him off his food so I have now had to buy different food for him. I have had all the necessary checks done over the years, back, teeth, saddle etc and have yet to find a problem with those. I've had several different instructors over the years too but again we have not been able to sort his issues.
I am now at my wits end as I just dont know what else to do. Do I push for him to be investigated further? Or do I just leave be? My only concern is the way he's deteriorating mentally (physically he is in good shape) he is soon to cause injury to himself or someone.
He is 14.
Has anyone else had problems like this? What did you do and what was the end result? Any advise on any other options would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the essay!
Now over the last 18 months getting on for two years his behaviour in the field and stable has been getting worse also, to the point where he is fast becoming a nightmare to handle. He never used to be clingy to horses, you were able to leave him in or out on his own all day no problem, to not even being able to bring him on the yard by himself with out a major hissy fit. He throws himself around the stable, box walks, headshakes and has a major tantrum. He's a nightmare to catch (I used to be able to lead him just by holding his chin, and he would drop everything and be at the gate waiting for you as soon as he heard your voice/car) to which last night he had to stay out on his own because I couldnt catch him at all.
I had the vet out to him a couple of weeks ago who gave him a full work up but couldnt find anything wrong. He put him on a course of pain killers to see if that would help. It didnt and put him off his food so I have now had to buy different food for him. I have had all the necessary checks done over the years, back, teeth, saddle etc and have yet to find a problem with those. I've had several different instructors over the years too but again we have not been able to sort his issues.
I am now at my wits end as I just dont know what else to do. Do I push for him to be investigated further? Or do I just leave be? My only concern is the way he's deteriorating mentally (physically he is in good shape) he is soon to cause injury to himself or someone.
He is 14.
Has anyone else had problems like this? What did you do and what was the end result? Any advise on any other options would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the essay!