Sudden change in behaviour after dentist? Saddle/back problem?

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hatters

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Ok so ex-racer, 4.5 years old now, not doing much, bit of hacking, odd lesson, generally well behaved apart from the odd baby moment, but nothing nasty. Teeth were done last friday, he then had saturday, sunday, monday off, tuesday I lunged (without bit), wednesday rode in the school in normal snaffle, but he was very very reluctant to trot, walked him around the field, had a trot but still reluctant, trots up sound. Thursday lunged again, just for 15 mins to check he looks ok as paranoid by now that is going to be lame, and seems fine. Friday get on and head for field with friend, and straight away not happy, resisting the bit, holding head very high up, chomping, looks very annoyed, ears back, tail swishing, then proceeds to bronc repeatedly! Seems worse when I take up a contact. Get back to the yard, and took him in the school for a trot, still reluctant but no broncing, and trots up ok. Saturday saddle fitter was coming, she comments that his saddle looks a bit tight, he has put weight on, so that explains that. Get on and ride in the school, and we have the same, won't go forwards, not happy at all, changed saddles into something wider and still the same, tense and feels like ready to bronc. Yesterday I gave him the day off.

So what to do now? Vet? Dentist? Back person? I will be getting a new saddle, or current one will be adjusted again.

Before saturday saddler visit, he was seen about 3 months ago, when they removed some flocking as he had put weight on. Physio came about 2/3 months ago too, said all was fine.

Someone suggested he is taking the mickey, but it just doesn't seem like "him", feels like he is saying no, it hurts. He is a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain, and I imagine an extreme reaction (broncing) would be something he could do.

Seems a bit of coincidence that the behaviour change is since he had the dentist? Or could he have hurt his back in the field? Would it be worth resting him, and getting back person out? I have checked in his mouth and looks ok, but I am no dentist! Do I get dentist back?

Any similar stories, and what was the outcome?
 
You're right, just because there is coincidence doesn't mean there's a connection BUT I think, given the time line, I'd be on the phone to the dentist, explaining the situation. Hopefully he/she will come back to check the horse out of professional concern.

Have you tried riding him in a bitless/sidepull/hackamore? Even a well fitting headcollar in the school? It would at least remove one of the variables.
 
He may just be a little sore in his mouth - sometimes the dentist catches the tongue or cheeks with the rasp. Give him another few days off and see how he goes again.

Did he play up for the dentist? Pull back? If so he could have put his poll out and that would make him feel very uncomfortable.
 
My cob had a sore neck/back after seeing the dentist as he had quite a bit of rasping done and got a bit stiff and sore I presume from being tense and having to keep his head up for so long.
 
Speak to the dentist first but I would also get a chiro on standby. It may be that the teeth/jaw angle has be realigned by the EDT and its had a knock on effect. It certainly sounds like pain or discomfort rather than naughtiness.
 
when weve needed a fair bit of work done on teeth dentist advises mctimony or similar as it can feel very different.i would speak to dentist first and ask them to have a look before anything else
 
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