Randomly pulling back.

Mosh

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I have a 26 year old welsh mare who has started to randomly pull back. She will pull till she ends up sitting like a dog or until something snaps (tied up with a few strands of bailing twine, not full thickness string)

It started about 3 weeks ago when she was spooked by some random drumming from across the road and she managed to go for a wonder up the yard and has then done it 2, max 3 times a week since then.
It's like a switch is flipped in her head and she just goes backwards till something goes and then carries on as normal. Sometimes happens when her bridle goes on and sometimes for no reason at all.
She is never tied up tightly and never has been as she is quite a sensitive and sharp mare so has always been better on a longer rope.

Shes fine to be ridden, no objections to saddles, bridle once it's on (I've changed to a different one and not had an issue yet)
Is loving being ridden, isn't lame or sore and still her normal self.

She does ground tie and will stand for most things without being tied up.

Shes had her teeth done, back done and saddle checked just before lock down and everything was fine. Feet are done regularly too. Her eyesight at the last vet check in Feb was fine too..

I don't know what the next step should be. She doesnt seem to be in pain and is her normal Welsh self for 99% of the time. Shes eating well, drinking well and everything is working as normal.
Has she quickly learnt that if she pulls back she can for a wonder or if there is something going on. I dont know where to start as it's not something I've come across before! Just hoping someone can give me an idea.
 
My Hipo is a baler twine snapper.
He has to be tied to a tie ring, or he quickly figures he can pull back and snap it.. and does it just for fun.

She is generally leaning back onto her hinds is she? Perfect time of year for laminitis.

I'm sure others may have better suggestions, but perhaps tying her to something solid that she can't snap may resolve the issue if she is chancing her luck?
 
The fear she experienced the first time may now be triggered randomly when she is tied up again. The feel of the headpiece of the head collar tightening when she occasionally moves to the end of the rope may bring back the original panic Hard to say without seeing her how badly scared she actually is when she pulls back now. I cured a couple of horses of pulling back by tying them up to a head high secure point with unbreakable headgear and rope, making sure the footing was not slippery or likely to injure them. It worked but I found it so nerve racking that I decided not to attempt it with my present horse who can go into full blown panic. I ground tie or use either a stable or a small pen if needed. I reckon I no longer need to risk my horse's neck when I only use him for pleasure. He will stand for the farrier completely loose and let me do anything I want untied so I reckon that is a fair compromise as I have no real need to leave a horse tied up unattended.
 
Get an idolo tie or an Aussie blocker tie ring. I’ve only got an idolo, but I suspect the Aussie maybe a slightly better design. Also needs a long lead rope.
 
She may have just worked out that she can do it. We have a Connie atm who will pull back to snap the tie when he gets bored. He isn't frightened - he just wants attention. On the rare occasions we need to tie up we manage by keeping and eye and yelling at him when he starts (he looks very sheepish...). We used to have an ISH who would pull back out of temper and for him we used the Idolo soft tie so we could get to him before he got free. He was a very successful BS 148 - which is why we put up with him. But he was a difficult one on the ground!

But if she is pulling back out of panic Planete is probably right and the sensaction of being restricted around her head is the issue.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.
She is super sensitive and can be a slightly hysterical welsh and is sometimes, depending on her mood ear shy.
I wonder if she is pulling back, its touching her ears and there is pressure and she just panics. She is known to just go backwards If something frightens her.

I may get the vet out when lockdown is lifted and sedate her and have a good check of her ears and another general health check. Will be having her back done as soon as possible too just incase.

The farrier was here 3 days ago and couldn't see any signs of laminitis but I'm watching her like a hawk. There is no heat or pulses but am watching.
 
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