Strange pony behaviour - at wits end :(

It could well be food related, trying while out to get at more grass, preferring to be in all the time, i suspect while in he always had a hay net? Food orientated behaviour! ;)
 
can you put his hay out in the field with him, mix it with some straw so he had more bulk but less calories, and maybe put it in a feeder or one of those floor hay net thingies?
 
Maesfen said:
12 hours muzzled (if he can't eat at all) is a very long time and no quality of life at all and to me, it seems as if you've been in too much of a rush to lose that weight rather than take it slower but have a happier pony.
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I frequently muzzle mine for 24 hours at a time,he lives out and needs very strict management to keep him at a healthy weight.It's the most effective way.Muzzles don't stop them eating,they simply limit the intake.

Taking it slow may not have been an option if the pony was very overweight.Some frustration on the part of a greedy pony is surely better than lammi??

Fii said:
It could well be food related, trying while out to get at more grass, preferring to be in all the time, i suspect while in he always had a hay net? Food orientated behaviour! ;)
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TBH I kind of thought the same when reading your posts OP.He sounds like a typical food orientated pony that has learnt he can be pig ignorant to get his own way;)

I have a welsh cob who is a nightmare when food is in short supply.I have spent the last few days repairing fences due to him trying to get to grass on the other side,he's a rude,bolshy git when trying to catch him and get him back in as well.Like Fii said they know when they get food and when they don't!!

My welshie *can* be a bad mannered pig on the ground anyway,but the difference in him when food is not in abundance is very noticeable,and affects all areas of his behaviour,on the ground that is.
Ridden he is as safe as ever no matter what happens otherwise,it's like some sort of work ethic,maybe your lad is similar??

Mine is also much better for me than other people BTW,mostly anyway.I think that's just routine and consistent handling,plus when it's your own and you're trying to retrain I think you put more effort in,other people don't tend to bother especially if like in your case they are negative about the pony to start with,just want to get whatever they have to do over with I suspect.

I don't have many answers TBH,I just try and keep him reasonably well fed (within his limits as pretty good doer),open up small bits of rested grass to keep him interested and give him haynets in the field (difficult as my other one who is the one that get's muzzled needs so little,but manage by separating them for some of the time),try and give him a bit of variety in his daily routine where possible,and basically wait for spring and a happier pony!!

Sorry if no help and holding good thought for you that can work it out:)
 
Sounds like he is taking the mick!

He doesnt do it for you but does for others, he obviously respect you but not anyone else that handles him!


Maybe he needs more turnout and exercise.
cant you hack in durring the week, or get someone else to ride lunge him?
More turnout when will help.
 
Thanks. He in taking the mick and I am just at my wits end with it all.

I know it is nothing to do with YO as she really is good with the horses and bless her for handling moo for me. She helps me out loads and wouldn't do a thing to harm them.

However the food orientated thing is the problem I think but i don't know how I can deal with it. I can't hack him in the week as I work full time. And he has bad mud fever so can't be out more. Like I said he seems less happy being out, even with hay in the field

I will Just have to try and address it as the nights get lighter. Lighter nights mean more exercise time, lets see if that helps the ******. :(
 
He sounds like a rather unhappy chappy. Not an animal taking the mick.

Sorry, Toffee-monster. But I suspect if you changed your management (and attitude towards the horse) he may be a totally different animal.
 
Toffee_monster said:
Thanks. He in taking the mick and I am just at my wits end with it all.

I know it is nothing to do with YO as she really is good with the horses and bless her for handling moo for me. She helps me out loads and wouldn't do a thing to harm them.

However the food orientated thing is the problem I think but i don't know how I can deal with it. I can't hack him in the week as I work full time. And he has bad mud fever so can't be out more. Like I said he seems less happy being out, even with hay in the field

I will Just have to try and address it as the nights get lighter. Lighter nights mean more exercise time, lets see if that helps the ******. :(
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Would the YO be happy putting some time in - does she offer lessons etc?

Perhaps just some handling (by himself which I think should be brought in anyway) and taking some time out to work on issues when she isn't in a rush thinking about bringing in? Or on a weekend get her to show you the problem, it may be a case of where she'd normally tell her own horse to sort itself out, she's worried to be firm as he's not hers.
 
Well I can now post an update on this sorry situation

Someone alerted YO to this thread and I was given my marching orders from the yard straight away! That'll teach me for asking for advice when I'm at my lowest point :( his naughtiness was all down to me apparantly !?

Anyway i arrived the other night and the poor lad had started weaving, it broke my heart to see him so stressed :(
I called a friend and she arrived with her lorry half an hour later. Pony walked straight on (in the dark aswell) and we were gone.

Moo came off the lorry at the other end chilled as anything, his stable was all ready and he settled straight in. He spent some time out on the hard standing yesterday (dont forget he is off the mud at the moment due to his mud fever). He met his old friend and they immediately started grooming each other. We also went for a walk in hand, good as gold.

All reports from when I'm not there have said how quiet he is. Two others have put a Haynet in for him and he has been nothing but fussy. I have my pony back !

I now have a school again and can work him in the week. That will help his waistline and his mental state. Unfortunately some of us have to work so I can't be there to handle him every morning but I don't see this as a crime. I have close friends here I trust.

Thanks to everyone for your advice, it just shows some horses just don't settle on some yards :(
I had a full nights sleep last night for the first time in weeks. If pony is happy, I'm happy :)
 
Sounds like the move will be just what you need (and more importantly the horse).

But, do you know what really, really annoys me?

This:

Toffee_monster said:
Unfortunately some of us have to work so I can't be there to handle him every morning but I don't see this as a crime. I have close friends here I trust.
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I too have to unfortunately work full time:rolleyes: (as do most on here), but funnily enough that's never stopped me from being responsible for my horses 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year.

If you can't be bothered, or really don't have the time to put in to your horse - who does sound as if they have a major management problem - sell it.
 
Sounds like marching orders was the best thing.

And agree with that. Last time I had one in work I had a full time job and a part time job, so worked every day of the week and lots of evenings. I got my arse out of bed at an ungodly hour and fitted it in, along side lunch breaks and between jobs. It's do-able but not everyone does it. Not a sin but as AM says, it's a comment that will get backs up as most here are managing work alongside
 
It's very simple op. If your horse needs something, in your case consistent handling & work, either you do it yourself, or you pay someone to do it. And if you aren't prepared to do the former, & can't afford the latter, you get rid.
 
Agreed, you are right, not the best way to say what i meant and not aimed to get peoples backs up at all. I appreciate all of the advice i have been given.

Im sure all of us work damn hard to keep our horses. Not in any way am i 'not bothered' about him though, i could be one who sticks him in a field, turn away and forget about him, ignoring his needs (and again this is not aimed any anyone except people who visit / tend to their animals once a week and have no idea how they are doing, and i know of quite a few of them)

I am trying to do the best by him, ive probably gone about it the wrong way but am trying to sort it, hence asking for advice. I find it very difficult doing mornings with my young son and work, and i know plenty of people juggle it all, its just not somthing i personally find easy and i envy those who can do it.

Thanks again
 
Sounds like the enforced move was the best thing.

I don't get YOs who feel they can throw folk off over threads on HHO however. I can understand them giving notice but not saying leave right now. Very unprofessional of them.
 
No need to apologise amymay, i always admire you for speaking with sense and straight to the point :) something i am not good at myself.

Onwards an upwards, I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a happier pony and i dont regret asking for advice on this at all, despite the consequences. I had a little cry this morning seeing my pony so loving and happy, instead of the monster he was becoming

Ffion, thats one of those things i suppose. You live and learn, i am not one for confrontation. Just a shame about the full month livery bill i had just paid
 
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Toffee_monster said:
No need to apologise amymay, i always admire you for speaking with sense and straight to the point :) something i am not good at myself.
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No, I made an assumption - so apologies well in order.

Onwards an upwards, I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a happier pony and i dont regret asking for advice on this at all, despite the consequences. I had a little cry this morning seeing my pony so loving and happy, instead of the monster he was becoming
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Definately onwards and upwards!!!!!!
 
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Toffee_monster said:
No need to apologise amymay, i always admire you for speaking with sense and straight to the point :) something i am not good at myself.

Onwards an upwards, I am looking forward to hopefully seeing a happier pony and i dont regret asking for advice on this at all, despite the consequences. I had a little cry this morning seeing my pony so loving and happy, instead of the monster he was becoming

Ffion, thats one of those things i suppose. You live and learn, i am not one for confrontation. Just a shame about the full month livery bill i had just paid
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I am glad to hear that the pony is now a happy chappy again, I would write to the old YO and demand the money back, otherwise she is stealing your money :eek:
 
Toffee_monster said:
Ffion, thats one of those things i suppose. You live and learn, i am not one for confrontation. Just a shame about the full month livery bill i had just paid
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Depends how you want to look at it.

If you are happy to write a letter/email and push the point, I'd be requesting a refund as notice was not served and services not provided.

However if you don't want the confrontation and would rather let it slide than drag it up... see it as a payment towards the best thing that's happened - an enforced move which will make the both of you happier and healither. Sometimes it costs less to lose one payment than to lose more in time, money and stress.

Apologies on the comment given above too... very easy to write something or read something not as it was intended on a forum.
 
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