She's not the same...

[express_75]

I had a bad fall in june, was in hopital for a week but have totally recovered, took 6 weeks to heal and as soon as i was up to it i went for a nice hack & my mare was great!
The following w/end a friend was showing her for me up at the Royal Welsh; one inhand class & 2 ridden. She was good at the show & for a 5yr old who was only broken last year, i was chuffted to bit with her.

Anyway.....since then i have found her different"...She's very low and has been sulking in the stable when i brinh her in for her feed/groom etc. I had a lesson on her last week and she was ok but hacking her on sunday, she wasn't her usual self and was leaning something awful on my, she wasn't listening to me. She was rushing downhill and it wasn't pleasant at all.

Last night i took her for a hack with the new gelding at the yard, he's lovely but she was turning her bum on him etc so they had to go in front. She cantered up the road with me, i had to shove her in the hedge to stop her. We were on tarmac & it was wet! Ended up turning back as it hammered down.

Then tonight, she was waiting at the gate for me so i got her, groomed her, talked to her and she seemed her lovely self again so deceided to take her for a walk in hand into the school and just spend time with her on the ground....i walked over a black tube/pipe that was laid down the long side and she usually steps over with me...oh no! she snorted and shuffled about then a chipping pinged onto the tube & she bolted & ploughed me down!! I hurt my leg but was ok to get up and calm her down...i just wanted to cry! I don;t know why she's being like this? I walked around with her for 10mins and she stepped over the tube and other things no probs but even leading her back to her field she was snorting and looked scared??!!

Im losing my confidence again as she's TOTALLY different since the show...i know ive had a bad fall but i hacked her since then so my confidence was fine, i was determinded not to let the fall bother me.

Any advice as i just want to enjoy her but i can't be doing with this change in behaviour...she's not the same anymore.

Im a novice rider but have lessons on her every week and school on my own and also hack her out.

Help! It would break my heart to sell her but what if have have more than i can cope with?

She's 5 and a section D..if that's any help.

 

[Parkranger]

Sounds like she may have picked something up at the show - give her a few days off and if not improvment might be worth getting bloods done?

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Assuming she was boarded at the Royal Welsh, she might have had some bad experiences that have dented her confidence. Was that her first experience of a big show like that? She's still only a baby and Section D's can be quite sharp and opinionated. As Park Ranger says, might be an idea to keep an eye on her eating, drinking, temp, breathing etc in case she's picked up a virus. But she may just be upset from the experience and if it's that, then I guess she needs taking back a few steps to a point where she's really happy and familiar with her work and start building up again from there. Anything to rebuild her confidence in herself but don't feel too sorry for her coz I don't think that's what she needs to get back to her old self. Treat her exactly as you did before and don't let her see you are fazed by her behaviour coz it could just worry her more. Calm, firm repetition of what she's familiar and happy with should get her back on track. Good luck xxx

 

[express_75]

Thank you.
I will keep an ey on her & continue our usual routine.

She's been to 2 county show but i think they're too much for her and i think she may be unsettled by having a different rider (for the shows).

She's a sensitive mare and as you say, only a baby.

I'll see how she goes and keep you all posted.

 

[skewby]

Hi express, I'm not sure it would explain the spookiness, but could she have picked up a virus at the show? My lad got one on a fun ride, he was coughing a bit and I took no notice (bad owner) as he was 100% in all other ways. Then the next week he didn't feel right, so I took him to one of his favourite blast spots and he just ran out of steam after about 6 strides of canter, so I KNEW something was up. He looked dreadful the next day so I got the vet, she said he'd had a virus, fought it off himself, and as a result was weak. Just a thought. I really hope you get it sorted. Have you talked to your instructor about it? Good luck xx