Rearing in hand and striking out

[I don’t like mondays]

I’ve posted before about my teen daughters pony having issues trotting and on the lunge. She’s now been diagnosed with hock and SI arthritis (injected) and also now PSSM1 (now giving vit E). The problem is, we’re rehabbing and she’s started rearing and striking out. Rehab is mostly walking, very low key (either hacking in hand with another pony or walking in the school). She isn’t fresh at all. Plods round then goes up! Tends to be halfway through the session

This comes out of nowhere with no particular trigger (walking round very relaxed then suddenly rears and strikes out, she’s not being asked anything and just does it). I can correct this but my daughter can’t (and it’s now not safe for her after nearly being caught a few times). Mentally I don’t know if I can deal with this.

I’m not sure where to go from here. I’ve owned a rearer before but he didn’t strike out and there was usually a trigger and a warning. Rehab is mentally tough but made 100 times worse when a horse starts having a vice like this. I know this isn’t safe (esp for a kids pony) and need to be nipped in the bud asap but I’m not sure a) what we should do- send her away to a pro for a few weeks rehab and to correct this vice? b) can this be trained out of her or will it always be there? She first did this with the vet when she was worried about a needle c) why is she doing this now? She used to be the quietest pony. Could it be pain? She had a bone scan. I’ve also done groundwork from day 1, wanting her to have manners and respect us d) I don’t know if this pony will ever come right, even after injections she’s still got symptoms (I know it’s early days but she still struggles to trot in hand). The thought of all this rehab over winter was stressful enough and now she’s rearing I feel really down now (last year was tough with my late horse). Thanks

 

[Dexter]

Is the PSSM under control? Just vitamin e on its own isnt enough to manage a lot of cases. They need magnesium, a decent balancer, very low sugar and starch feeds and a lot of work and 24/7 turnout. Once you get them stable theres often a bit of leeway but in the beginning they need the lot throwing at them.

Mine was dangerous when symptomatic. Rearing and then leaping forward, spinning, bronking, but once under control was back to being a dobbin

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Is the PSSM under control? Just vitamin e on its own isnt enough to manage a lot of cases. They need magnesium, a decent balancer, very low sugar and starch feeds and a lot of work and 24/7 turnout. Once you get them stable theres often a bit of leeway but in the beginning they need the lot throwing at them.

Mine was dangerous when symptomatic. Rearing and then leaping forward, spinning, bronking, but once under control was back to being a dobbin

Thanks for replying Dexter. I only got the test back last week so it’s all so new. Sounds like it could be the PSSM? She’s on non mollased chaff, vit E (6,000), blue chip senior balancer and hay and 24/7 turn out. Should I add a magnesium supplement too? Do you think the rest of the feed sounds ok for Pssm? It’s so hard to know what to do. Our rehab plan is 6 days Pw but im now in a position where im dreading working her on the ground (due to the striking out)

 

[SpotsandBays]

I’d recommend joining some PSSM groups on Facebook, they’re really helpful for understanding what to feed and seeing what routines work for other people with the same diagnosis etc

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I’d recommend joining some PSSM groups on Facebook, they’re really helpful for understanding what to feed and seeing what routines work for other people with the same diagnosis etc

Thanks Rosietaz, I’ll take a look. I hadn’t thought it could be the Pssm

 

[Dexter]

it might not be the PSSM, but its the thing you need to rule out before anything else. Grass can be a huge issue, its been warm enough for it to be growing as well. Mine was lethal and we were all stunned, then someone mentioned PSSM, and I kind of dismissed it, until they sent me the video I share and I it all became clear.

Theres a really good group on Facebook, PSSM and MFM Awareness. I tend to share their videos as they are really useful.

For me I'd stop the bluechip and get a powdered balancer from Forage Plus or Progressive Earth, add extra magnesium, make sure the vitamin e i natural and up it to 10000ius. Once shes stable you can lower it and find the right level, but for now you want a high amount to make up for the deficit.

And if you can, work her hard, although if you are rehabbing you might not be able to do that. Whats her muscle tone like?

 

[I don’t like mondays]

it might not be the PSSM, but its the thing you need to rule out before anything else. Grass can be a huge issue, its been warm enough for it to be growing as well. Mine was lethal and we were all stunned, then someone mentioned PSSM, and I kind of dismissed it, until they sent me the video I share and I it all became clear.

Theres a really good group on Facebook, PSSM and MFM Awareness. I tend to share their videos as they are really useful.

For me I'd stop the bluechip and get a powdered balancer from Forage Plus or Progressive Earth, add extra magnesium, make sure the vitamin e i natural and up it to 10000ius. Once shes stable you can lower it and find the right level, but for now you want a high amount to make up for the deficit.

And if you can, work her hard, although if you are rehabbing you might not be able to do that. Whats her muscle tone like?

Thanks so much Dexter. It’s reassuring (in a weird way) that it could be Pssm and she’s trying to tell me something (and there are things I can do to help her). On your advice I’ve just ordered Forage plus balancer and forage plus magnesium. My vit E is from there (I’ll up it to 10,000). The paddock is quite bald/sparse in terms of grass (not sure if there are sugary shoots though). We’re only able to walk with short trots at the moment. Muscles are ok (not atrophy) but top line could be better (not as bad as she was when we first got her). I’ll check our the FB group. I’ve seen their videos on YouTube and there are a few that look like my pony

 

[I don’t like mondays]

In terms of making sure she has enough exercise, should I keep going despite her being unhappy or wait until I can give her magnesium and change the balancer so she’s more comfortable and tolerant of exercise?

 

[SEL]

In terms of making sure she has enough exercise, should I keep going despite her being unhappy or wait until I can give her magnesium and change the balancer so she’s more comfortable and tolerant of exercise?

When is she going up? If you make mine do work her muscles can't cope with you'll know about it. She'll also tell you fairly sharply if she's got cold at night. PSSM horses generally need to feel toasty under rugs no matter how fat they might be.

I'd also recommend a bodyworker out because they can get quite jammed up

 

[I don’t like mondays]

When is she going up? If you make mine do work her muscles can't cope with you'll know about it. She'll also tell you fairly sharply if she's got cold at night. PSSM horses generally need to feel toasty under rugs no matter how fat they might be.

I'd also recommend a bodyworker out because they can get quite jammed up

Work at the moment is either walking over poles in the school or walking on hacks (all in hand). She’ll randomly go up just walking round the school or walking on a hack (not while anything tricky is being asked). Doesn’t do it coming in or being turned out. Good point- I think I might be under rugging her in that case. It’s been double figures most nights so I’ve left her naked. Sounds like she needs a 100g on instead? ETA very good point about body work, she saw one last week. It’s almost like she’s worse a few days after a session though and she’s really reactive to being touched :-( (her skin twitches, walks away unless distracted with food)