Problem tying up horse...

[tasel]

The last two months or so, my 6-year-old horse has turned into a monster. She acts like she's p*ssed off 95% of the time. When I tie her up, she moves about like a metronome, and kicks out with every single leg she's got (at times even jumping up and down on the spot).

She's just being brought back into work - and she behaved beautifully for months... now, it's takes about 10 minutes of calming her down in the school before she works properly on the lunge (changing direction on a dime, trying to run off, tail goes up, etc.). It's not like she has never been lunged before! As said, she has been behaving well for months before this. It can't be the feed as this hasn't really been changed (we removed the Global Herbs Restore from her feed weeks ago, as we thought this to have started the problem).

Seriously don't know what has gotten into her!!! It's almost like she has been swapped for another horse! HELP!

 

[AengusOg]

It sounds like a case of her trying to dominate you, but it is impossible to say without knowing the circumstances of her life so far.

Was she turned away with other horses, and what was her position in that herd?

How much work had she done prior to being turned away?

How do you react when she behaves badly?

There are lots of factors which will be important to finding answers. Her age, breeding, method of management, relationships/position in the hierarchy with other horses, and the way she sees you in the scheme of things will all contribute to the way she sees herself.

Tell us a bit more.

 

[skydancer]

Hi, my girl is 14 and still cant be tied up -imo she just doesnt like it and therefore we dont do it - everything is done in her stable and if the farrier is there i hold her. She has always been like this and to be honest i dont see the point in stressing her out for something that is just convenient to me.
With your horse though if he was alright to tie up before it may be that as he is being worked he is getting fitter, maybe try lunging him first to get rid of the excess before you ride him?

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

without knowing all the details of your horse It sounds like she's just being a mare trying to be the leader of her herd. Ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good. always wear a hat and alway achieve what you set out to do.

I had a horse who I needed to canter and jump on the lunge before I sat on him. That way the excitement was removed and he was sent forwards before I got on him! Keep behind her shoulder and don't let her stick her nose to the outside and always send her forwards! IMO too quick (if well balanced) is better than slow and steady if they have energy to burn and it's getting dangerous. (Also have you tried dropping the lunge whip- the could be sending her off on a hoon?)

 

[cazrider]

Just a tcouple of thoughts tasel. You may have thought of these already but:

1) Has her turnout altered? If she was turned away and is now being kept in, that could account for the change.
2) If she is still out, have the horses in her field changed? Sometimes I have found this can make a big difference.

Can you give us some more information on how she is kept?

 

[Sparkles]

Pain related?

 

[ex racer rider]

Could her poll be out? Lunging and tying up both put pressure on her poll and this could be causing the problems... That or she's just trying it on and being a tit. What is she like without anything on her head? Have a poke around if she will let you and that could be the root of the problems. And dont be scared to act like a boss because you are not her so when she messes around on the lunge use verbal commands to settle her or tell her off when she is naughty and when she messes tied up (i may be tarred and feathered for this but oh well) give her a bloody jab and tell her off, a little smack on the shoulder wont hurt her but it might just put her in her place (im not saying beat her within an inch but the odd smack when naughty does work)

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd look at the possibility of poll problems and take all feed other than hay/lage out of the diet. I'd also do as ex racer rider suggests and make sure that she knows that you are the boss.
It can be very frustrating trying to workout what the problem is, it is very often just a process of elimination.
Good luck!