Problem with new horsey

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weebarney

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Had him for less than a week he is great in every way except nervous when getting saddle put on and head shy for bridle and hunched back for 1st 30 seconds of ride. So there is something obviously amiss but not sure where to start.
When I tried him owner wanted to lunge 1 st as that's what she always does, I put this down to him being 4 and maybe a bit exuberant at the start of a ride. I asked that he not be lunged as I wanted to see what he would do. All went well, she rode then I did. She said saddle was not coming with horse as she believed it didn't fit we'll and she thought horse felt like saying 'ouch' when ridden( when she says ouch I think in hind site she was meaning the back hunching). She also said horse a little head shy round his ears due to not having enough time spent on him.
Where is the best starting point with him? I have tried 2 different saddles and he does this in both. I don't know what aspect of his anatomy to start with 1st with him disliking bridle and saddle being put on. Also I don't know if its related but he has very loose cow pat poo's, I thought this was due to change of diet but not sure if it could be something else
 
Been through similar with my 4 year old, and assuming the back and teeth have been checked and the saddle correctly fitted, then it may be a memory of the pain they've experienced. My girl was very worried by the bridle, so much so that i got a behaviourist to help me. 18months on, you'd never guess that my girl had full on equine hysterics at the sight of a bridle. I think, as she was 'professionally broken' before i bought her, tacking up had been quick and rough, and it took time to get over the fear of it.
I can only speak from experience of my girl, but it takes 2-3 days to get runny poo from change in diet, and about 3 -5'days to adjust. If it continues much beyond this, there may be something underlying?
My boy was just a grumpy pants and pulled faves at rugs and saddles, and again improved with time and consistency
 
Did you have him vetted?

Sounds like a classic 'cold backed' reaction to saddling which can be alleviated with lungeing prior to mounting - did he 'hunch' when you rode him when viewing after being lunged?

You said you have tried 2 different saddles - was this with a saddler or with ones you had at home?

Sadly alarm bells would be ringing for me, but a vet and saddle check would be first on my list, then tackling the bridle situation after.

Good luck!
 
Sidney said:
Did you have him vetted?

Sounds like a classic 'cold backed' reaction to saddling which can be alleviated with lungeing prior to mounting - did he 'hunch' when you rode him when viewing after being lunged?

You said you have tried 2 different saddles - was this with a saddler or with ones you had at home?

Sadly alarm bells would be ringing for me, but a vet and saddle check would be first on my list, then tackling the bridle situation after.

Good luck!
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Yeah alarm bells are ringing don't worry, horse wasn't lunged when I tried him, but he was ridden 1st by owner as is usual when trying them out. Just looking for what direction to start 1st as I'm not made of money so don't want to do anything unnecessary or in the wrong order. He has had teeth done with previous owner and that's it I don't know who with, I think I will contact owner to see its someone reputable. No he wasn't vetted.
 
FfionWinnie said:
Do you know when he had his teeth done for sure? My mares previous owner told me she had just had them done - it was a year previously!!!
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Well she only had him 6 months so not long. Hubby not too happy that new horse is already 'broke', but seriously though he is fab in every other way, just something I need to get to the bottom of.
 
No doubt I'll get shot down again. But you have only had him a week??. He doesn't know you from Adam, so take time out let him get to know you and you him, don't rush things, he's most probably very upset being moved from his home,unless he was already at your stables(livery) if so the previous owner could help you,if he has been moved to somewhere else just give him time to settle and try and bond with him.
 
This is not unusual with young horses. It may be a pain/discomfort type thing, but it can also just be that they are not acceping of the girth/saddle, that they are sensitive.

I have had horses like this, and ground work, taking lots of time saddling, doing the girth up in 2-3 steps, walking and lunging with the saddle before riding, all help. With time and patience these issues will go away, assuming not pain/discomfort related.
 
Echo Bravo said:
No doubt I'll get shot down again. But you have only had him a week??. He doesn't know you from Adam, so take time out let him get to know you and you him, don't rush things, he's most probably very upset being moved from his home,unless he was already at your stables(livery) if so the previous owner could help you,if he has been moved to somewhere else just give him time to settle and try and bond with him.
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Horse was already head shy with previous owner and lunged prior to work which I'm assuming is down to him hunching. Like I say he is great to be handled in any other way which I doubt he would be if it was just down to trust.
 
with regards to the bridle mine was the same, i used to do everything in bridle instead of headcollar i.e put it on while im in the stable with her, while i turn her out (took it off when we got to the field mind ;) ) & put it on then headcollar over it when tying up/grooming.. she soon got used to it and stopped associating it with work :)
 
Shame you didn't have him vetted as could have discussed the 'hunching' and saddle issues at the same time...vets can often be very good advisors on saddle fit too.

Tbh I would want a clean vets bill of health before going physio route - firstly most decent physio's will not work on a horse without at leats a vet's permission or referal, and a physio is less likely to pick up things like KS (not saying that he has this so don't panic!!). Also you could waste money by not having the vet first, as may recommend chiro over physio etc etc.

Hope you get things sorted and may well just be a 'young' horse problem as others have suggested.
 
I have been put off vettings ever since a young horse I sold was vetted and I didn't like the experience. But I didn't know of the hunching thing at the time anyway as it only lasts seconds, but as he has diarrhea too I think I might start with vet then work my way from there.
 
Personally I would start with having the vet come and check over - s/he can check teeth at the same time (make sure you mention you want teeth checked so they bring the gag).
Once you have a clean vet bill then have a good chiro or physio check the back, and also ask about saddle fit as they are often pretty good at picking up if the issue is due to a saddle.
Then if all this checks out have a qualified saddler come and fit a saddle or my preference would be a treeless type saddle - at 4 your horse is going to grow and change shape and until that is finished the saddle won't fit for long so a treeless gets this out the way. I like the look of the Heather Moffet Flexee tree - it's a leather tree so you have the support there but it moulds to the horse and it's only £350 so won't break the bank :D Haven't tried one yet but my friend loves his.

For the bridle make it a nice experience so have a few treats in your hand as you put the bit in (same hand as has the bit), I would also be doing ground work without the bridle to get him used to having his ears handled and that it's not a bad thing, again try and make it enjoyable, so give a small feed and stand stroking/handling the ears whilst the horse is eating so it's associated with nice things
 
mynutmeg said:
Personally I would start with having the vet come and check over - s/he can check teeth at the same time (make sure you mention you want teeth checked so they bring the gag).
Once you have a clean vet bill then have a good chiro or physio check the back, and also ask about saddle fit as they are often pretty good at picking up if the issue is due to a saddle.
Then if all this checks out have a qualified saddler come and fit a saddle or my preference would be a treeless type saddle - at 4 your horse is going to grow and change shape and until that is finished the saddle won't fit for long so a treeless gets this out the way. I like the look of the Heather Moffet Flexee tree - it's a leather tree so you have the support there but it moulds to the horse and it's only £350 so won't break the bank :D Haven't tried one yet but my friend loves his.

For the bridle make it a nice experience so have a few treats in your hand as you put the bit in (same hand as has the bit), I would also be doing ground work without the bridle to get him used to having his ears handled and that it's not a bad thing, again try and make it enjoyable, so give a small feed and stand stroking/handling the ears whilst the horse is eating so it's associated with nice things
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Thanks for the info. Yeah I defo need either one of my saddles, a cheap 2 nd hand one or a one that changes shape to use as he needs to do a lot of filling out. I don't know much about treeless, do you change the padding to keep them fitting?
 
You could always part exchange your saddles if you find neither fit - that could save you some pennies at least...

Horses, whoul'd have em!!?
 
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