Query on eyesight and spooking. Opinions?

U

Uniique

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2009
Messages
162
Visit site
Hi, i have woned my 16.2 Belgium Warmblood for 6 months now. He is in a constant routine but i have noticed some worrying factors and im begining to question whats causing them.
Firstly he is prone to sudden spooking, and trips. He can walk past something from one direction fine if he then walks apst it the other way he he will come level and spook and leap sideways, even though it hasnt moved.
He frequently jumps on top of you, he is also prone to "explosions" and spooks under saddle. We have a grey shetland turned in a field by our school and he frequently spooks and leaps (more than once in one ride), despite it being there grazing everytime he goes in the school.
We also have a stretch of gallops which i will only take him up if its clear etc due to his spooking. Everytime he goes up there he gets 2/3 of the way down and will slam the breaks on once or twice, spooking at a completely unchanged, path.
He will often (almost every day) be stood on the yard and suddenly hold is head very high, and appear ot be spooking at the bottom of the yard, despite there being nothing there.
He is feed appropriatly for his work load and type, he is ridden reguarly and is on Magnitude.
Im beggining to question his eyesight????
Any thoughts
Thanks
 
My horse is the same and I honestly now think hes totally taking the mickey out of me. Hes talanted and if Im totally honest probably lacks hard work. Hes always been like this and I describe him as Quirky. Ive tried all the calmers etc and riding him can be a challenge, schooling is similar for the first 15 mins or so. A ride in the field is interesting
crazy.gif
as he feels like hes coming back at me, if you know what I mean. He doesnt scare me but I am aware of what he is capable of. Im working at keeping him more forwards and listenning to me, plenty of half halts, changes in flexion etc.
 
Try the startle test as a first step. Bring your hand up very fast to one side of your horse's face, as if you are going to smack him in the eye. But stop before you do! He should flinch or startle away from your hand. Repeat the other side. It's not a definitive test as some horses will correctly interpret the rush of air as something to be wary of. You can also deliberately set up a short "walk" of unusual objects in the school - brollies, pushchair, traffic cone - and walk him past on one rein, observing his reactions, then repeat on the other rein. Have you had a close look at his cornea? Any signs of cloudiness there that might indicate a cataract or something similar? If you're left in any doubt, I'd get the vet to confirm (or not) your suspicions because although a horse can manage perfectly well with just one eye, you would need to adopt some different handling and riding techniques.
 
One of my ponios sounds quite similar, he spooks at things I cant see, he stands in the yard with his head up, snorting, gazing at an empty space then leaps and lands on my foot with his road nails, and he spooks a lot in the field when out grazing, even though the others grazing with him dont react to whatever he has seen.
tongue.gif


I got my vet to check his eyes but they were fine, she said it was just him!

I hope yours is ok.
frown.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top