Should I send him back or not? (A bit long and possibly a bit boring!)

How many times a day do you see your horse?

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0ldmare

0ldmare

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I have 3 horses, one of which is on loan (loan horse originally came as a companion about 5 years ago and was an insurance loss of use). He came at a time when I only had one horse and needed something to keep her company.

Anyway I now have 2 of my own, but still kept the loaner as I got fond of him. He is a beautiful horse, could be ridden now as he is 100% sound (I have permission but never have as he would need re-starting as he was last ridden as a 5 year old and is now 9 or 10)

The problem is my young horse had a bad kick out hacking and this has inflamed her tendon sheath and she needs to be quietly turned away for a few weeks.

Now the problem - loan horse keeps mounting her - not exactly ideal when its her hind tendons. Also I am wondering if all my efforts to get her back better with Chiropracters is being ruined by him mounting her. Even after 7 weeks off work with the tendon issue she still has a sensitive back which is definitely making me consider outside influences!!

I cant split them up due to excessive grass on the other fields and they are both fatties. Even dividing their current paddock is not an option as he walks through electric fences while she jumps them. My other paddocks are waist high in grass waiting for hay to be cut.

So what would you do - send him back to his owners? Keep him and hope he and my mare reduce their 'activity' as the summer progresses and that her tendon sheath recovers despite his mounting her?
 
If he is sound, then he will easily be able to find another loan home I am sure, and maybe the owner will have the time to bring him back into work. He is causing further complications to your mare, and unless you can split them up, he may cause long term damage. It would be harder if he was still lame, but as he is not, I am sure he will be ok.

Sorry, bit harsh, but that is my opinion! Good luck with whatever you decide, and tell him to put it back in his pants!
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Tendons take ages to heal, mine horse's took 18 months for a split DDFT.

Could you split the field in half, just give it a try? My horse used to kick electric fencing down with his front legs, but after a few years stopped.

I used to give my randy gelding rig calm in spring.
 
One problem with sending him back is that in the 5 odd years I have had him the owners have never called or been to see him. Just not really sure what I would be sending him back to. I wonder if there is a supplement that would reduce his 'urge' as it were - a bit like hormonese and regumate for mares? Might post asking in Veterinary area!
 
Oh thats a shame - so they have sort of dumped him on you? I can see your predicament! So you need the opposite of viagra! You haven't heard from the owner's in 5 years!?! Yikes, at least he is loved where he is....oh dear.

Is he a rig then....or just a horny bugger!?
 
Call your vet. He may be a rig although this is rare.
The vet will also be able to advise you as to any medication the horse can be put on to stop these urges?
Are the urges only recent?
 
Apalacia01, they do email about once every 18 months, but thats all. I think they were fond of him (at least thats the impression I got).His back was completely knackered when he arrived as he had an ultra narrow saddle and he is a broad horse (never seen a saddle so wrong for a horse ever). He was an insurance right off due to his hock, although was supposed to be OK for hacking, but now is 1000% sound. He isnt easy though, he is often virtually impossible to catch, eats fences, destroys rugs and bashes seven bells out of stables and never stands still for longer than 2 seconds (he has ants in his pants as well as something else!!). But I do like him and I worry what would happen to him. Yes its the opposite of Viagra that I need!! I think he is horney rather than a rig, but cannot be sure.
 
He sounds like a fun - nothing to brighten up your day then a pain in the bum - I know I own one and wouldn't want anything else! What was up with his hock? Arthritis?

Otherwise, for a slightly quicker reply, just ring your vet, and see if there is anything at all. As it is a hormonal thing, it may also change his temprement and therefore generally calm him down. He sounds like a mare in season - just all of the time! Valium may also do the job!:)
 
Izzi, no he was 'at it' last year as well. I got worried, but before I went to do anything about it it seemed to settle down. (She didnt get in foal!!). Maybe I should get him tested, thats a thought
 
I know of a friend who had great results with a supplement, I think it was called rig calm? Might be worth a google as a first port of call for him.
 
I cant recall what the problem was with his hock, but it wasnt arthritis. I know he went into a vet hospital for investigations and then didnt come sound. He was lame for about 18 months with me and then went sound and has been ever since. He has the most amazing power and can perform serious airs above the ground (even when he isnt humping my mare!!). I wonder if he would become a bit easier to manage if his hormones were subdued, thats an interesting thought
 
Hmmmm....well whatever you decide to do, keep us updated. PMSL at the 'serious airs above the ground (even when he isnt humping my mare!!)'. Sounds like a funny one!
 
As another option,is there anyone you know of that you could sort of 'sub-loan' him to if you got permission from his owners? We had my first pony on loan to me but I loaned him to a friend of mine when i got my second pony. He did stay in our field though but it all worked very well and his owners were happy about it.

Just a thought - you'd at least know where he was then as it does seem a bit of a waste him not being lightly ridden if he could be and also he's not helping your situation.
 
I'd still give your vet a call just to check nothing's amiss if the RigCalm doesn't help . If he wasn't up to his mischief last year I'd be wondering "why now?" all of a sudden. Hope you sort him out. Sort of reminds me of my husband.... but that's a different story... Tee hee
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Yes he did do it last year as well, but then it all seemed to settle down. Only for it to re start again this year.

I will talk to my vet and see what they think.

I would love to be able to find someone who had the time to do something with him, but havent been able to find anyone. The trouble is it needs someone with experience who also doesnt mind putting in the time to re-start an older horse. Also of course I dont own him so the person making all the effort would never actually own him (But having said that I cant exactly see the owners wanting him back, since they probably dont even remember where he is!!). So I suspect he will continue to be in pampered retirement. No wonder he has so much energy.

By the way when I said 'airs above the ground' what I mean is he will do a massive series of enormous leaps down the field just out of sheer joy, or will walk along on his hind legs for maybe a minute for the fun of it. I know this makes him sound like a nightmare, but actually he wouldnt hurt a fly and is very gentle to handle (once you have caught him!!)
 
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