kit279
Well-Known Member
Just wondering how things were going? Is he still a handful or has he seen the error of his ways?!
Shiraz - how are you getting on with your grey?
- Thread starter kit279
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Shiraz
Well-Known Member
Hi
My friend just sent me the link to this!
Not too good, he's still on box rest and will be for at least another 2wks. He kicked himself in the field 2wks past; inside fetlock of his off hind. It's healing well though but can't say box rest is doing much for his temprement.
The vet had been coming out every 4 days to do the dressings as he needed sedated but the last time she came out (Friday) she was covered in plasters from him ripping her hands (I was at work but my mum was there with her on the Monday), I was so embarrassed so now I do the dressing changes with the help of ACPs as I don't want anyone else getting hurt.
He's still aggressive in the stable and walking him out is down right dangerous as he attempts to go up and strikes out when you ask him to do soemthing he doesn't want to do and he doesn't want to do very much! It's either his way or not at all!
He's on a high fibre diet, ad lib hay and as many licks and stable toys as I can find to try to occupy him.
Have also taken his hind shoes off 1) cause he's on rest 2) cause he kicks so badly and 3) might stop a repeat accident when he goes back out.
Kinda feel a bit stuck as to how to progress with him. If you tell him "no" or ask him to back up/move over in the stable for example he throws his head up and lunges for you, he snakes and attempts to bites. when I stop that (by holding his head) he just hops up and strikes out...
He has to stay in the stable when I muck out for numerous reasons but he's always tied up and occupied with food but he'll still watch and any chance he gets he swings his quarters round to kick, when you move him back he kicks again.
I'm trying the positive reinforcement route but not getting anywhere quickly...
He's too clever, I tied him up outside on Monday to give him a good grooming but he figured out by throwing his head around he can "saw" the string, so now that's all he does is try to break string. I know he should get tied to something unbreakable until he learns to stand but wouldn't want to put him in a potentially dangerous situation if anything should happen. He seemed to be enjoying getting a good grooming ( he gets a "normal" grooming daily) especially as he has those horrible scurffy lumps on his quarters and he seemed to be enjoying it and going all doey and then he bit me? So got that sorted and started again and then he started kicking out because he wasn't allowed to move over (he tries to crush you into walls and then kick up at you...)
Any helpful suggestions welcome!
Ice lollies if you got through all that!
My friend just sent me the link to this!
Not too good, he's still on box rest and will be for at least another 2wks. He kicked himself in the field 2wks past; inside fetlock of his off hind. It's healing well though but can't say box rest is doing much for his temprement.
The vet had been coming out every 4 days to do the dressings as he needed sedated but the last time she came out (Friday) she was covered in plasters from him ripping her hands (I was at work but my mum was there with her on the Monday), I was so embarrassed so now I do the dressing changes with the help of ACPs as I don't want anyone else getting hurt.
He's still aggressive in the stable and walking him out is down right dangerous as he attempts to go up and strikes out when you ask him to do soemthing he doesn't want to do and he doesn't want to do very much! It's either his way or not at all!
He's on a high fibre diet, ad lib hay and as many licks and stable toys as I can find to try to occupy him.
Have also taken his hind shoes off 1) cause he's on rest 2) cause he kicks so badly and 3) might stop a repeat accident when he goes back out.
Kinda feel a bit stuck as to how to progress with him. If you tell him "no" or ask him to back up/move over in the stable for example he throws his head up and lunges for you, he snakes and attempts to bites. when I stop that (by holding his head) he just hops up and strikes out...
He has to stay in the stable when I muck out for numerous reasons but he's always tied up and occupied with food but he'll still watch and any chance he gets he swings his quarters round to kick, when you move him back he kicks again.
I'm trying the positive reinforcement route but not getting anywhere quickly...
He's too clever, I tied him up outside on Monday to give him a good grooming but he figured out by throwing his head around he can "saw" the string, so now that's all he does is try to break string. I know he should get tied to something unbreakable until he learns to stand but wouldn't want to put him in a potentially dangerous situation if anything should happen. He seemed to be enjoying getting a good grooming ( he gets a "normal" grooming daily) especially as he has those horrible scurffy lumps on his quarters and he seemed to be enjoying it and going all doey and then he bit me? So got that sorted and started again and then he started kicking out because he wasn't allowed to move over (he tries to crush you into walls and then kick up at you...)
Any helpful suggestions welcome!
Ice lollies if you got through all that!
kit279
Well-Known Member
Mmmm. Sounds like you're having a hard time of it
Re. tying up, you could try using something stretchy, like a bungee line, so he's not able to yank against anything. I'd have all his shoes taken off if he's a kicker and if you can get someone to hold a front leg up when you're changing the dressings, that might help (although, you may also need another helper to hold the head end!). What's he like with treats? I know you're trying to get the weight on him but you could try keeping him a little hungry overnight and then walking out with some mints or carrots and rewarding him when he's behaving. Is he a tickly horse? My grey will nip me if I groom a ticklish spot. With the stable agression, try moving him to a different stable to groom him. I had a mare who was very territorial and would strike at you if you were in 'her place' but was better in a new place. I had to feed her in a different stable and then she got to go back to her spot and nobdy bothered her there and she calmed down a lot.
Finally, if it makes you feel any better, my grey TB was a total nightmare for the first 3 months. He was grouchy and grumpy and nasty. Then one day (and I never did figure out why) he just turned a corner - it was as if he just decided that we were OK and that he could stop being such a prat. Although he still has his moments, he is much pleasanter to be around and I honestly never thought we'd get there! You might find once your boy goes out in the sun, his mood will improve and he'll get more laid back. So chin up and keep me posted on how it goes!
Re. tying up, you could try using something stretchy, like a bungee line, so he's not able to yank against anything. I'd have all his shoes taken off if he's a kicker and if you can get someone to hold a front leg up when you're changing the dressings, that might help (although, you may also need another helper to hold the head end!). What's he like with treats? I know you're trying to get the weight on him but you could try keeping him a little hungry overnight and then walking out with some mints or carrots and rewarding him when he's behaving. Is he a tickly horse? My grey will nip me if I groom a ticklish spot. With the stable agression, try moving him to a different stable to groom him. I had a mare who was very territorial and would strike at you if you were in 'her place' but was better in a new place. I had to feed her in a different stable and then she got to go back to her spot and nobdy bothered her there and she calmed down a lot.
Finally, if it makes you feel any better, my grey TB was a total nightmare for the first 3 months. He was grouchy and grumpy and nasty. Then one day (and I never did figure out why) he just turned a corner - it was as if he just decided that we were OK and that he could stop being such a prat. Although he still has his moments, he is much pleasanter to be around and I honestly never thought we'd get there! You might find once your boy goes out in the sun, his mood will improve and he'll get more laid back. So chin up and keep me posted on how it goes!
Shiraz
Well-Known Member
I can't get anyone else in the stable with me never mind to hold a leg! The head end is tied up in the stable. I can get the dressing off ok-ish now but I have to give him ACPs to re bandage as he just wants to play football with my head (which always has a hat on dealing with him!)
I don't have a spare stable to put him in. Although I did move him into my mum's stable when her horse was out and he was just as bad in that stable. He used to be in it during the day and in his stable at night for a short time.
I don't give him treats since he bites and cribs. He just gets his feed and licks. I've got a little hand held horse lyx that he likes so he gets that (over the stable door) while I take his dressings off.
He doesn't seem ticklish but he is sensitive over his stomach (I think he maybe has ulcers?) so I'm really careful in that area.
Walking out is ok-ish, it's when we turn for home. I know he's been in so bound to be excitable and want to stay out but his behaviour goes beyond that. I can now only lead him out in bridle, roller and side reins and even still he strikes out and tries to go over the top of me, push me into the fences etc...
I hope we have a moment like that too!
Thanks for asking after us! Here's hoping the next update is a good one about a sound happy horse!
I don't have a spare stable to put him in. Although I did move him into my mum's stable when her horse was out and he was just as bad in that stable. He used to be in it during the day and in his stable at night for a short time.
I don't give him treats since he bites and cribs. He just gets his feed and licks. I've got a little hand held horse lyx that he likes so he gets that (over the stable door) while I take his dressings off.
He doesn't seem ticklish but he is sensitive over his stomach (I think he maybe has ulcers?) so I'm really careful in that area.
Walking out is ok-ish, it's when we turn for home. I know he's been in so bound to be excitable and want to stay out but his behaviour goes beyond that. I can now only lead him out in bridle, roller and side reins and even still he strikes out and tries to go over the top of me, push me into the fences etc...
I hope we have a moment like that too!
Thanks for asking after us! Here's hoping the next update is a good one about a sound happy horse!
Ellies_mum2
Well-Known Member
Aww. Sorry to read you're having a rough time with him
Hope he turns the corner soon and realises you're his friend and only want the best for him
I don't know his history (sorry if its on another thread) but was he treated badly before you had him so now he lashes out before he can be hurt?
Hope he turns the corner soon and realises you're his friend and only want the best for him
I don't know his history (sorry if its on another thread) but was he treated badly before you had him so now he lashes out before he can be hurt?