Strange goings on with my 4yrold

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Laney

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Hey guys n gals..just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this or anything like it.

I have a 15.3hh 4 year old 3/4 TB Gelding. I've had him for 6 months now, he was a sorry state when I got him...covered in rain scald, underweight and neglected. He has turned himself inside out and has great condition on him now..like a different horse. We have started to ride him in the last 2 weeks and he has been going well enough for a youngster..However..When he is saddled first and the rider is mounted he will walk a few steps then stop, dead he will not go forward, turns his head and neck right around to the riders leg, he seems to freeze and hold his breath. He will eventually move forwards but sometimes you have to lead him out. First we thought he was just being bold and shying away from a muck spreader that is parked near by but he has no problem with being led past it from the field or when he is coming in from work. Now he has started doing it in the arena when he is close to the fence and going into corners. He also is making a lot of grunting noises like he is having difficulty breathing out and seems to be full of air? I have heard him cough once or twice but nothing major I assumed it was just the arena being a little dusty. Also he made a strange sharp inhilation through his nostrils the other day..but he tends to do this when he is excited or fresh..(there was a mare being brought in from the field at this particular time). He is not a bad horse, he is very pleaasent and willing to please when he gets going, so I am hard pressed to think he is just playing up it seems to be some kind of anxiety or panic attack?? If anyone has any ideas PLEASE, PLEASE let me know!!!

Thaks for Reading!!!
 
Strange. Will leave more experienced people to answer fully although my 4 year old does sometimes still turn round and almost sniff at my leg. Initially he did it quite a lot and even went to bite my leg onc. When I initially used more leg on him than I had befor he turned round a few times and looked at my leg in complete disgust! He doesn't do it much anymore but with him I'm sure it was just a case of 'why is your leg pushing against me?!)

But the grunting/discomfort etc sounds like there might be more to it?
 
As a 5 year old my gelding used to turn his head back to look at me when he was uncertain or unsure and looking for reassurance from me. He is now 8 and does it very occasionally, but a lot less than he used to. These days if he is worried about something he just reverses! I think I preferred the looking round!

I have no idea about the breathing though, as I've not experienced that.
 
So glad it's not only mine that gives me 'the look'! It was hilarious when he went to nip
my leg tho. He is super bendy and if resting during a lesson he turns and sniffs at my boots. Strange horse.
 
He's only been ridden two weeks? This is completely normal behaviour. Quite simply, carrying the weight of a rider is totally new to him and he is having trouble balancing himself and you at the same time. Corners are especially difficult. He has no idea where to place his legs to balance you both. He's a good boy, another horse would panic and instead he is stopping to evaluate things. Can you get him hacking out gently with an experienced companion on straight lines until he gets the idea?
 
Many Thanks for your replys Guys...

Yes he is being ridden for just 2 weeks...he was being extremely good since day 1 which is why I became a little concerned that there was something more to it,like he was cold backed or something like it. He has been out on the road with no problems and goes on lovely, also the same in the field. He isnt dirty or nasty and dosn't want to get you off when he stops but he simply will not go forwards once he stops, until someone leads him out. He can be quite difficult to get in from the field as he dosn't want to leave his mates.....but he does stop when he sees something that could spook him and turns around to look..in my experience most youngters would be gone with you trailing behind!! I am probably expecting too much from him too soon. Will keep him going on straight lines and in the open field for the next while. Would you reccommend lunging him lightly to help with the balance? We have had his backed checked twice, teeth done...all 100%. What you have said makes sense as when he is going out first he has to go down a little hill and thats where the problem starts..he then goes on up the lane no prob...

Again thanks a lot for the replys...I couldnt sleep a wink thinking about him. Had all sorts of scenarios going around in my head!!! Such a worry freak!!!
 
i would def do some light lunging on a big circle, and if your school is safe-loose schooling in full tack, break it down in to little chunks for him, and maybe lead him out down the lane in hand a few times?

doesnt sound anything to panic over, mine also does the leg sniffing (5yo).
 
cptrayes is right.
if you aren't already, i'd be lungeing your lad in all his tack before you get on. he might not be totally accostomed to the tightness of the girth yet (one of the most major things for a young horse to cope with, i think). i'd make sure it's a really comfortable girth, too.
also, can you stand on the mounting block and bang him all over (not sharply, but firmly), behind the saddle, on the bum etc, before you get on? I won't get on one now until it accepts all that unflinchingly.
i've had quite a few youngsters that get 'stuck' and just freeze, and need leading for a while, or tempting with food (person on foot gives them a treat for going along for a bit, and then every time the horse does a little circle on its own (with rider obv!) and comes back to the helper, say. you can gradually make these exercises last longer, and phase out the treats as the horse learns to do the little things you ask just for praise.
tbh i quite like these ones who just stop and check it all out - they're thinking, not exploding or just running. the other types are far less fun!
 
Coco turned round to have a chat with me last night. He's 4 - although been backed ages, but for the first time as far as I can remember, while we were waiting by a gate he turned round and had a look at me on board. He looked at me foot contemplatively and then tried to take a big bite out of my toes.
We'd just had a disagreement about a puddle and I think he was expressing his displeasure.
 
Again many thanks for taking the time to reply...it has put my mind at ease.

Initially I was lunging him and letting go loose in the arena with the gear on him. But he had his back done and vet advised me not to do much circle work until he built up a bit more strength through his back.
Yes I do like the fact that he is thinking about what is going on around him...would be much worse the other way around. I suppose it all takes time and lots of patience!! I have been lucky enough to have mostly straight forward mounts!! The guy thats helping me with him is just a little concerned there maybe more to it so we are getting the vet to check him today just to be on the safe side. At least he can watch him being ridden etc...

I think he will be a super little horse as he seems to want to do his work...but is a clever chap too so dont want him ruined either by misinterpreting his behaviour ...
 
Hey!!

Had the vet out to look at him and he said he was in pain around the girth area. So was freezing to evade the pain...poor guy :(....Kind of internal girth gall. He is very sensitive around this area so got to rest him for a few days and gradually start lunging him with the gear on and protect him with sheepskin girth guard..He is also on anti inflammitory pain relief...

Was a relief to know that this is all the problem was...he wasnt showing any obvious signs of discomfort when he was tacked up and nor was the girth very tight...so fingers crossed he will be right as rain in a few weeks time!! :)
 
He isnt colicy but if u put pressure behind the saddle toward his last few ribs he seems a bit uncomfortable and gives a little grunt. Would be no harm trying it for a while..I mentioned to the vet would he be suffering from some kind of gastric disorder and he kinda ruled it out. Everything is worth a try. He has a normal diet out a grass and isnt getting too much feeding (just a small amount of redmills cool mix). The only thing is the grass is very rich were he is...not a bad complaint either but maybe its too much for him.
 
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