Sudden behaviour change in my Gelding

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Louise & Leo

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Hello

Lately I have noticed a huge behaviour shift in my 9yo New Forest Pony. I have owned him for 4 1/2 years and he has been the 'perfect pony'. Everyone was always jealous of him manners but that was just down to the great bond I have with him. Lately he has been in less work as I work 9-5 and it is pitch black at my field when I get down after work meaning I can only ride/have a proper fuss session on the weekends. In previous years this happens but his behaviour never changed except for being a little more energetic when ridden. The last month or so I have noticed his whole demeanour has changed, his usual calm trusting self is now seemingly always tense and on edge and not wanting me to really be near him. He even walked away from some apple because he didn't want me to touch him.

In terms of changes in the yard lately I really cant pin point anything that could have set him off, we have a new family part loaning another pony, new fence posts have gone up and there have been a lot of fireworks lately. All of these things do make him a little uneasy but previously whenever he is tense or nervous about something, if I tell him its okay, he will be able to hold it together to 'get past scary object/person/leaf etc.' with minimal fuss.

I brought him in to have a quick plod around our field last weekend and he ended up bolting and broncing with me on. This is something he has NEVER ever done. Never bucked reared or bolted with me. The last few times I have led him in and out to his field for a brush on the yard he is pulling my arm out and completely blanking me as if I'm not even there. Usually he will stop as soon as I stop with no command or pressure on his lead rope.

When I brought him in for a brush last night, he was frantic in his stable and kept turning round to look at me with a very tense expression, I almost thought he may bite me, so I took him back to his field (again being dragged the whole way).

I am not trying to brag about my pony's manners but just to give you an idea of how crazy his behaviour has become in comparison to 'normal'.

I should add that I am also 11 weeks pregnant and my mum pointed out that seeing as the last few weeks I have been feeling symptoms a little more, maybe his is picking up on the changes in me and reacting badly to it.

I would really appreciate any responses as I feel as though he suddenly has lost trust in me, is completely oblivious to me when being handled and clearly does not want me touching him or being around him.

I may bring him in tonight and he be back to his normal self but he is just not himself at all and this is heart breaking.

I will be checking his eyes and ears tonight thoroughly.

Thank you <3
 
My first thought would be is he in pain? very odd if he's never behaved that way before! is there a chance that he's changed shape where he's in less work and maybe his saddle has started pinching?

If he's used to you bringing him in to ride, he might be acting like this as he fears having the saddle put on?

My horse went lame last year and I ignored plenty of signs, thinking he was just testing his boundaries! started with not wanting to be tacked up, wouldn't stand for me to get on! started planting and refusing to move forward! then moved on the vertical rearing! at which point I called the vet and discovered arthritic changes, which have been treated and he's much happier now!

He did go lame again this summer and before it was noticable he started refusing to go forward, first in canter then into trot! he'd pin his ears back every time I put my leg on! and threaten to rear! he also didn't want his saddle on again!

Now he's being treated for that he's like a totally different horse, really gental, doesn't get annoyed with me like he had been, will stand for ages without pawing the ground loads!

the change is so noticeable!
 
oh and I don't have children, so I don't know if being pregnant can make them act differently, but if it did I would expect they'd be quieter around you, especially if they are already a nice horse
 
My first thought was pain as well, get his back and teeth checked.

He could have done anything in the field, from slipping over to something like pulling a muscle while he was running round his field. The bolting and broncing under saddle could also be a sign of a sore back.
 
Thanks for your reply Kezzabell2, I had read too that pets tend to be more gentle so that's what making me worried, that if hes getting more pushy with me he could hurt me without meaning to.

It crossed my mind as it was as if he didn't want me on his back, we thought is was the weather and something scaring him but now I think about it he could well have been in pain with me on him! :( Its just so out of character. He lives out all year round with hay when he needs it and a small hard feed, there isn't a noticeable change in his weight, if anything I would expect him to start loosing weight slowly as it gets colder.

Thank you, I will try tacking him up tonight and see how he reacts again and check there is no pinching anywhere. That's great that your horse is back to normal now you know what was wrong, I just hope he isn't hurting :/
 
Louise & Leo said:
Thanks for your reply Kezzabell2, I had read too that pets tend to be more gentle so that's what making me worried, that if hes getting more pushy with me he could hurt me without meaning to.

It crossed my mind as it was as if he didn't want me on his back, we thought is was the weather and something scaring him but now I think about it he could well have been in pain with me on him! :( Its just so out of character. He lives out all year round with hay when he needs it and a small hard feed, there isn't a noticeable change in his weight, if anything I would expect him to start loosing weight slowly as it gets colder.

Thank you, I will try tacking him up tonight and see how he reacts again and check there is no pinching anywhere. That's great that your horse is back to normal now you know what was wrong, I just hope he isn't hurting :/
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In a round about kind of way, it would be better if he is hurting, becuase at least that would explain his behaviour and if its something simple like the saddle needing adjusting then thats a massive bonus!

I would defo get the saddle checked first, as he has probably lost some muscle for doing less work! I doubt he'd have started losing weight yet if you're haying him as it's not been cold yet. Mine are all still fat as ever, the grass is still coming through too!

Just make sure you have someone with you when you put his saddle on tonight, you don't want to get hurt! Check to make sure its sitting flat at the back, its not too low on the withers, not too tight around the shoulders, etc.
 
I've only ever known them to be quiet when owners get pregnant (congrats by the way) so I am thinking there is something else here. Time for checks.
 
If no medical reason can be found, it really could be a reaction to your pregnancy. He won't know that you're pregnant and to be careful but he will know that you smell different, feel different, etc. He might be finding it disconcerting?
 
I think naturally they are supposed to calm down to it though - my stallion is as calm as anything around my pregnant mare. With my other mare he is a typical stallion.
 
I have questioned girls at the yard but everyone says they haven't noticed anything that's 'spooked him' or anything. I don't want to sound like I am pointing fingers. But I've had issues of a few of them not being 100% truthful with me before and I do worry that as he is fairly sensitive anyway that they have unintentionally upset him in the field before I get down.

I never thought about me smelling differently, maybe he doesn't like it :/ he will always pick up when I have something different, new coat, boots, hair change etc. so maybe this is something that he can tell is different, but he doesn't know what it is exactly and its putting him on edge?

I'm definitely going to check his hearing, eyes and his tack this evening and make sure he's not got any bumps or heat anywhere, I have been looking to move him yards but struggling to find anywhere at the moment.
 
I would say its pain related or he has had a tremendous scare with fireworks.

I am sorry that it is upsetting you, it would me too. xx
 
My gelding appeared to have a saddle problem. Got new saddle fitted & he went better for a while but was suddenly acting out of character; bucking, refusing to lunge, sensitive when groomed. I had physio to check him over; nothing obvious, then the vet; he's got bilateral suspensory damage, sore sacro-iliacs and mild gastric ulcers(probably through pain). You know what is normal for your horse, go with your gut good luck x
 
I would think maybe look into ulcers as well. My mare didn't show any normal signs before being diagnosed but thinking back on it, she was more nervous, distant and didn't want to be fussed. Saddle, back and teeth would also be something I would check. Like others have said, it is almost better to find pain as at least then you know there is a reason for it and you can treat it. There is nothing worse than not knowing what is causing them to be so down and behaving out of character.
 
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