Stressed TB

[Dizzydancer]

My boy came off racetrack last year. he has only been in work since may but has just had 2weeks off box rested due to an abscess. he is now back out in field today for a few days before begin work again.
This morning i gave him sedalin before turning out and he wa quiet as a lamb but still knew where his feet were.
We had a disaster at end of july where we went to a show inhand and lost the plot completely it was on the yard in one of fields so luckily didnt have to try and load him. I am hoping to get him out over the winter season to some dressage comps (unaffiliated) mainly to get used to the atmosphere which atleast is quieter than a show as it was the tannoy that wound him up.
Do any of you use sedalin to ride with? I am thinking if i dose him up before we leave he will be still a bit chilled out when we arrive for me to ride around and as it wears off he will already be worked in a bit and i may have more control.
Your thoughts please?

 

[paddi22]

if he only started working in may it might be a bit of an overload and culture shock to be taking him out to shows etc. its a huge change for him to be learning to carry himself correctly, and dressage etc, andf it might just be brain overload to be throwing in shows on top. Some horses just need to be paced a bit slower.

My exracer had months off and has the kind of personality where he would freak if he is pushed a bit too fast out of his comfort zone. It might be something as simple as taking him to a show and not riding him at all, just getting him used to being out and about with no pressure. He's only finished racing last year so everythings a massive change to him.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Sorry i didnt make it clear. I know it was a bit much but as it was at the yard i wanted to see how he reacted in a safe environment. I dont want to take him and compete this winter just get him out and used to the environment. However he is a horse who is better when being ridden as if being led he reverts back to being on the parade ring and has little manners when he gets wound up. I am safer on board!

 

[AmyMay]

The only horse party this horse has ever been to is racing - so I'm not suprised he lost the plot.

Use a calmer, not sedalin, and think very carefully about the venues you take him to.

My suggestion would be to hack to local shows only with a view to look not compete. Do this regularly until he is calm, calm, calm - then think about competing him.

This may take quite some time, so don't expect a quick resolution.

 

[Marydoll]

I personally wouldnt ride a horse with sedalin in them, they can pop out of it in a flash, plus i dont think its safe.
Try him on a good calmer if you feel you need to use something for him.
A girl at out yard has a big cob/wb who she gives 2 syrynges of magic to before he goes out as he was an eejit bucking and leaping all over.
When your boys riding ok at home, i would have his next outings to friends places who have arenas, if he kicks off there, its not so stressful for you and it gets him used to other places and horses.when hes ok with that. Get him out to rc schooling nights where there are horses and comps but no tannoys
Finally you can hire small tannoys that you can carry so theyre not big and bulky, try him with this at home after he's been worked in, with a mate speaking through the tannoy in the manner of someone announcing, gradually increase the volume, if he copes ok, id do this for a few days, while hes being groomed, standing in the stable, as hes being tacked up, so its just part of his day to hear things hrough it occassionally, then do the same at friends places eventually leading to a real outing
It will take time to do all this, but if it takes a few months of training to get him ready for his new life without being stressed and freaked out at shows id say its worth it good luck i hope you get it sorted out

 

[Kenzo]

Try to take him to some quiet venues first rather than a horse show where there is too much going on, what about taking him to some clinic lessons at different competition centres where there will only be a small group of horses and not so much to take in, indoor to start with, plus you will be able to have that little more control because you will be riding him rather than walking him around with his eyes on stalks and he'll understand hopefully that he's there to work. Then build this up to outdoor venues, still keeping things quiet until you can take him to horse horse shows because then he'll find it all less exciting hopefully.

You just have to keep doing it until he finds it all a bit boring really, you'll get there, first show is bound to be exciting for any horse, but on his own yard then he probably wondered what on earth was going on.

Good Luck