Quick update on my horse running off with me

[Tilda]

Hi All

Just thought I'd give a quick update for everyone who gave me great advice after Max started running off with me.

Back lady came today (had to cancel last week due to poorly son) and Max had a very sore neck! She thinks he must have done it stopping very suddenly when bombing around the field. She said he is highly unlikely to have done it when being ridden and thinks perhaps the hard work he did at the jumping clinic probably aggravated it and she is fairly convinced it was the cause of his behaviour! Poor max hates having the top of his neck and behind his ears touched anyway (not just pain as his neck was fine when checked in September) and has always been a bit head shy round this area so he didn't particularly enjoy the manipulation she had to do but he behaved very well bless him.

Afterwards I turned him out and whereas for the last week or so he has just gone into the field and eaten his hay, today he went in bucked a bit, had a lovely roll in the snow and a very small run about so I think he is feeling better

I haven't been able to ride since last Friday due to snow so I will lunge him the first time I ride him and I will keep his grackle on until we have tested the brakes, but hopefully he will be back to his normal sensible self!

I know this might not solve it straight away as there may be a bit of remembered pain but I am relieved to have a reason for my lovely boy's sudden change of behaviour. I feel even worse now for over reacting but now I know it will never happen again.

Next week will be a year since Max arrived with me so I'll get some pics on photobucket and post on here so you can all meet my handsome boy

 

[PandorasJar]

Good to hear you have an answer Tilda

 

[Honey08]

Glad you found a reason and are feeling more positive.

Be aware that he may still be a bit fresher after the snow and not being ridden, don't make a big deal out of it, just understand rather than tensing if he is.. Good luck, looking forward to the photos.

 

[Morland]

My sweet horse also has an old neck injury (no idea what happened, probably a field incident! - physio diagnosed it soon after I bought him), which seems to affect his behaviour when it troubles him (eg making him more spooky and likely to spin or try to run away from scary monsters). It also affects how he travels in the trailer - then I know it's time for the physio again. We do stretch exercises as often as possible too.

 

[Tilda]

Thanks for the warning Honey08 I will be lunging him first the first couple of times I ride him.

That's interesting Morland I feel bad that I reacted so badly to him being in pain I should have known there was something wrong as it was so out of character, he is the best horse I have ever had and ever likely to have and now I understand him that bit more and will know when he is in pain x