Spring grass - horse very spooky??

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Sasm

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Hi All,

I just wanted to ask if anyone else is experiencing the same as me. My young horse over the past few weeks have become a nervous wreck, very anxious, jumping at the slightest thing.
He has always been brilliant to lead but now i am getting worried!!

I just hope it is the spring grass coming through late and then the sudden drop in temperatures.

Is anyone else having the same problem at the minute??

Thanks
 
My 15yo TB mare had a serious bout of "spring fever" a couple of weeks ago, she was just so hyper all the time! Tacking her up was getting difficult, riding her was getting difficult, but it seems to have worn off now! She has been out 24/7 for about a month now and she seems back to herself now the novelty of spring grass has worn off :rolleyes:
 
OP I feel your pain!

May is always the worst month for my TB, his personality changes so much and he becomes an absolute nightmare to lead in and out. I have to remind myself each year that this happens with him.

I think for him, it's a mix of the spring grass and the mares starting to come into season.

Once we get into mid-June he calms down again so if yours is anything like mine, he'll soon calm down a bit.
In the meantime, is it possible for you to turn him out only at night or restrict his grazing? These things can sometimes help.

Stay safe. x
 
Try feeding some MagOx - very often deficient at this time of year when the grass is coming through. I have also ordered in some Magna Calm Lick from Rockies to leave out as I am interested as to how much they eat when they can self adjust.
 
Thanks!

He is actually being strip grazed so he can't gorge, he is also a hot blooded horse and so easily affected by any increase in sugars/protein. He comes in at night too.

I do think the mares coming into season is a factor as he was only gelded 6 months ago. I have not had him long and he came from abroad, therefore I have no experience of him in previous years!

It just wanted to ask others if they are experiencing the same - but like you say, spring is very late this year!

Thank you :)
 
Yep my old boy always had two weeks a year were he was a spooky nightmare, he wouldnt even walk over a zebra crossing! Normally a week in april and another in September. He was normallg a brave non spooky lad but the grass made him a nutter!
 
Thank heavens its not just me then, I was use to my last filly going mad for a couple of weeks in spring due to the grass but she was normally a highly strung loon on a good day just got out of control for a couple of weeks during spring fever but my new lad is the most chilled out darling ever and for the last 4 weeks has been lively on his toes and spooking at everything at home let alone when we walk out. was beginning to think it had been going on to long for spring fever lol thankfully though he's still calmer than the crazy filly on a good day :-)
 
My response also - thank god it is not just me!! :)
He is also new to me and so I havent had him long enough to really understand his quirks.
He too is a little lamb to be around and so good to lead - he is like a different horse!
It has also been about 4 weeks for us too! Hopefully it will settle soon, we just need it to warm up for the grass to grow a bit more! :)
 
Mine are certainly feeling the spring grass. The mare is especially fresh!! I'm working them as much as I can and loading their feeds with magnesium.
 
My older boy is jumpy as hell at this time of year...noticeably at the same time as the two younger boys start playing and rough-housing...so I think his version of spring fever just comes out in a different way...:rolleyes:
 
Mine's horrendous for the first twenty minutes. I feel like I want to jump off, cry, beat him, sell him, starve him.... usually just at the point of tears I re-explain to him that he'll have to permanently go in the starvation paddock if he doesn't buck up his ideas (no pun intended ;-)) and he sorts it out. But he's a completely nightmare in the meanwhile.
 
Mine is very on her toes, rode her yesterday then turned her out and she went bombing off down the field giving three enormous bucks - I'm glad she waited til I got off!! I have to say she has magnificent paces as she shows off in the field!!!
 
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