Suddenly very difficult to hack. At my wit's end

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

So looking for a bit of advice. My cob has become quite difficult the last couple weeks which is very unlike her and I'm at the end of my tether.

Backstory: 9yo 14hh traditional gypsy cob broken as a 4/5yo but left in the field until beginning of this year when I restarted her. I wasn't experienced at the time but have gained a lot more experience since so she hasn't learned things necessarily in the right order and some things she might not know at all.

Here's my dilemma: she's an excellent hacker or at least used to be apart from the past couple weeks where she's been an absolute ********.

Stopping all of a sudden and looking at something but only in trot. She doesn't do this in walk at all! Refusing to trot when I ask. Kicking and whipping more makes no difference at all. She simply stops and refuses to move forward. Usually I have to get off and drag her forward get her walking beside me listening maybe trot a few paces and slow beside me. This is out hacking alone. Out with others she is incredibly strong and difficult to hold. If she's in front she's better if she's behind I get blisters. On our usual canter tracks she is okay but is always asking for a canter. I don't mind as long as she doesn't rush off with me.

I know she sounds like a terrible problem horse but she's usually excellent and it's only recently she's been stupid. I've been thinking she's in pain or anxious or something so she's getting checked over tomorrow.

If it's nothing I'm going to start long lining her and getting her more responsive to cues. Or would a winter break be a good idea? End on a good note and give her a few weeks off?

Sorry for this huuuge rant. I think I needed to get it off my chest mainly but if anyone has any advice I would love to hear it, feeling a bit like a failure right now.

 

[Lucky788]

What has your vet said? Sounds like she’s trying to tell you something
I’d do a full work up teeth, saddle, physio and vet to try and find the problem

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

What has your vet said? Sounds like she’s trying to tell you something
I’d do a full work up teeth, saddle, physio and vet to try and find the problem

She's being checked over by farrier who also has experience in veterinary areas and if she can't find anything I will get the proper vet out. She's definitely trying to tell me something and I feel bad that I haven't worked it out sooner but she is occasionally like this but will be fine next time so didn't think it was anything other than usual mare behaviour until yesterday.

 

[ycbm]

It's very odd that she will canter but not trot. If it wasn't for that I would suggest checking for PSSM.
.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

It's very odd that she will canter but not trot. If it wasn't for that I would suggest checking for PSSM.
.

She's always preferred going fast to anything else. She was fine to canter last weekend but I haven't been on any tracks this weekend. I suspect she would be good to go if she knew it was a canter spot but I've taken her to my house via the road and she refused to trot. It was the same last Sunday. Saturday I could coax a trot out of her but she still did random stopping we had a good long canter though and she was very happy. I'll have a go tomorrow. Thanks I will look into it

 

[Prancerpoos]

May just be taking the p? How does she behave if a more experienced,very confident rider takes her out? Just a thought.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

May just be taking the p? How does she behave if a more experienced,very confident rider takes her out? Just a thought.

I wouldn't be surprised if she was just trying it on. I'm the only one to ever have really rode her properly but she is quite difficult for pretty much everyone else. There isn't anyone who's the right size at our yard more experienced than me who's willing to have a go but I will ask round again. I'm not a nervous rider and am very gun-ho about things in general so it's not like she's taking advantage in that way but she has done it before with others.

I've had a quick look at PSSM and I don't think it could be that but I will discuss it with farrier tomorrow.

 

[paddy555]

apart from the other suggestions then
firstly she has been effectively broken this year, possibly if you were not experienced that has been fairly slowly. Is she now at the stage when she is simply trying it on when you are out alone. She is fitter and now asking the question as to what happens if I don't walk, trot or whatever.

Secondly it has been wet and cold. Is she well rugged and kept dry and are you using an exercise sheet? is she stopping/refusing to trot as it is uncomfortable but willing to canter fast as she can just find an area of comfort there?
She is potentially a PSSM breed, it is the time of the year.ie now wet and cold and also, possibly, she is working whereas you earlier breaking may have been much slower/less work. (a bit like PSSM shows in a young horse once it starts working)

I would put long lines on and do exactly the same ride, trotting the same place and see what happens. It will be easier to study her reactions from the ground.

 

[Muddywellies]

I would give here a decent size scoop of chaff, damped but not soaked, 20 or so mins before you ride, and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I'd get her scoped for ulcers.

 

[Jango]

If shes willing to canter on tracks (potential soft ground) but doesnt want to trot (potentially roads/firmer ground) it could be a bone issue that only hurts on harder ground? Also adrenaline can cause huge differences in a horses' way of going. In company adrenaline up she feels ok, on her own a niggly issue makes not want to go? Just some ideas!

 

[sport horse]

When she stops try not getting off but making her turn in small 3m circles by taking your inside hand down and slightly behind your thigh and using just your outside leg.(the idea being that she is turning with her own body length wiith her body curved round the bend of the circle) Sorry it is a bit difficult to describe - much easier to show! Keep her on this circle for several rotations and then ask her to go forward where you want. If she refuses return to circle and repeat. They usually learn quite quickly that it is easier to go where you want. There may be something wrong with her but from your description it would hardly be bad enough to cause the behaviour - it is more likely a try on.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

apart from the other suggestions then
firstly she has been effectively broken this year, possibly if you were not experienced that has been fairly slowly. Is she now at the stage when she is simply trying it on when you are out alone. She is fitter and now asking the question as to what happens if I don't walk, trot or whatever.

Secondly it has been wet and cold. Is she well rugged and kept dry and are you using an exercise sheet? is she stopping/refusing to trot as it is uncomfortable but willing to canter fast as she can just find an area of comfort there?
She is potentially a PSSM breed, it is the time of the year.ie now wet and cold and also, possibly, she is working whereas you earlier breaking may have been much slower/less work. (a bit like PSSM shows in a young horse once it starts working)

I would put long lines on and do exactly the same ride, trotting the same place and see what happens. It will be easier to study her reactions from the ground.

She is not clipped and so does not usually wear a rug (controversial I know but she's very fluffy and is usually fine) she's staying at my house tonight and I've put her old rug on. It's too small for her but she seems happier so we're trying on someone else's tomorrow. She will wear a rug from now on.

All this talk of PSSM is making me sad but I will look into it more. However she is in probably less work than in the summer but is much fitter now as a result.

I will try long lines in the morning. Thank you

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

When she stops try not getting off but making her turn in small 3m circles by taking your inside hand down and slightly behind your thigh and using just your outside leg.(the idea being that she is turning with her own body length wiith her body curved round the bend of the circle) Sorry it is a bit difficult to describe - much easier to show! Keep her on this circle for several rotations and then ask her to go forward where you want. If she refuses return to circle and repeat. They usually learn quite quickly that it is easier to go where you want. There may be something wrong with her but from your description it would hardly be bad enough to cause the behaviour - it is more likely a try on.

I have been doing something similar to this when she gets strong but she is usually looking at something and fights the instruction. I'm going to practise flexing her from the ground so she understands a bit more. Thank you. I'm glad to hear that its possibly not some horrible underlying medical condition

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

If shes willing to canter on tracks (potential soft ground) but doesnt want to trot (potentially roads/firmer ground) it could be a bone issue that only hurts on harder ground? Also adrenaline can cause huge differences in a horses' way of going. In company adrenaline up she feels ok, on her own a niggly issue makes not want to go? Just some ideas!

I've thought about this a bit but I'm not so sure. I've offered her the verge if she would be more comfortable there and she didn't want it was quite happy pottering on the road. You might be on to something with the adrenaline hiding issues though. She doesn't always do it in company though but we've started riding with someone new to riding so their horse likes to take advantage which rules her up quite a bit. She can be perfectly calm in company and can also be really strong out on her own. Definitely asking friend about this tomorrow though.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

I would give here a decent size scoop of chaff, damped but not soaked, 20 or so mins before you ride, and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I'd get her scoped for ulcers.

I will look into it. She's never been on chaff before. Can I ask the science behind it or if there's any other indications if ulcers you know of?

 

[noradavies]

idk What it is about hacking but my horse is starting to play up too, constantly napping. other week I had to turn back early because it got so bad

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

idk What it is about hacking but my horse is starting to play up too, constantly napping. other week I had to turn back early because it got so bad

Maybe just this time of year? I'm considering giving her a break but I would miss riding a lot

 

[noradavies]

Maybe just this time of year? I'm considering giving her a break but I would miss riding a lot

Yeah could be just this time of year, I’d miss riding terribly too.. ?

 

[Bob notacob]

Actualy she sounds wonderful . Whatever gave you the idea that the rest of us are in total control of our horses

 

[Muddywellies]

I will look into it. She's never been on chaff before. Can I ask the science behind it or if there's any other indications if ulcers you know of?

The chaff thing is actually pretty low tech. If she has ulcers, the stomach acid will splash up during work and be incredibly painful. By feeding chaff beforehand (damped but not too wet), once it is in the stomach it forms a 'mat' over the stomach acid and reduces splashing. It does bring relief for ulcer prone horses and can help reduce the likelihood of them developing. So it's a very simple way to gauge if she has discomfort in the stomach. May not work, but worth trying. My horse has battled with ulcers for the past 4 years or so and whilst she shows absolutely no physical signs, when she starts becoming difficult (not that dissimilar to what you are describing) it's often an indication that her ulcers are back. Amongst many other things, my horse is never worked without being fed chaff beforehand. There's a heck of a lot of pretty reliable info on Google, so might be worth you investigating further.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Actualy she sounds wonderful . Whatever gave you the idea that the rest of us are in total control of our horses

Haha she is totally wonderful. Completely safe and I can count the number of times she's spooked on one hand! I was in tears earlier this evening considering a future where she wouldn't be ridden. We have so much more to do together and I know we got started late but she is what keeps me going. There's nothing I love more than her on this earth!

Idk what have me such an idea. Probably instagram or such like.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

The chaff thing is actually pretty low tech. If she has ulcers, the stomach acid will splash up during work and be incredibly painful. By feeding chaff beforehand (damped but not too wet), once it is in the stomach it forms a 'mat' over the stomach acid and reduces splashing. It does bring relief for ulcer prone horses and can help reduce the likelihood of them developing. So it's a very simple way to gauge if she has discomfort in the stomach. May not work, but worth trying. My horse has battled with ulcers for the past 4 years or so and whilst she shows absolutely no physical signs, when she starts becoming difficult (not that dissimilar to what you are describing) it's often an indication that her ulcers are back. Amongst many other things, my horse is never worked without being fed chaff beforehand. There's a heck of a lot of pretty reliable info on Google, so might be worth you investigating further.

Thank you that sounds very interesting. I was under the impression ulcers were very common in breeds like thoroughbreds and horses that we're kept inside with little to no forage. She's out 24/7 and has access to grazing all the time. I'll get some next time I'm in town and see if it makes any difference. Thank you

 

[Bob notacob]

Chaff is just chopped up hay .feed hay ad lib . They enjoy furttlenig through a pile of hay . It gives them pleasure. Dont be put off if they dont eat it all . Throw out (or use as bedding ) what they dont eat . Worst thing(hay wise) is to keep offering what they have rejected.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Cool will keep in mind! Is it possible to make my own? We have some hay that I could cut up in some way and try giving her. She loves any kind of food (even ones she's not supposed to have) so I doubt she will reject it

 

[honetpot]

Not wanting to trot on the roads, I would be definitely thinking of some sort of concussion pain, the adrenaline rush of a canter or being out with others could override her reluctance. I would ask someone experienced to have a look at her and trot her up on concrete, and also turn circles in hand. Next step the vet.
Yes she could be doing the, I am a mare and I want to stay with my pals, but as you say you are inexperienced I would want to check there wasn't any physical cause. Mares are lovely but they are very clever.

 

[Kahlua]

I don’t have much to offer that is any different to others but wanted to say don’t worry it’s so easy to go off the deep end and think the worst, especially when you only have one horse and start reading Dr Google ?

Personally I’d start with a vet check up and if there wasn’t anything showing there, take a look at getting some help with training.

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Not wanting to trot on the roads, I would be definitely thinking of some sort of concussion pain, the adrenaline rush of a canter or being out with others could override her reluctance. I would ask someone experienced to have a look at her and trot her up on concrete, and also turn circles in hand. Next step the vet.
Yes she could be doing the, I am a mare and I want to stay with my pals, but as you say you are inexperienced I would want to check there wasn't any physical cause. Mares are lovely but they are very clever.

She will be doing a trot up tomorrow and farrier will be having a look. She is happy to trot on the roads and uneven hard ground and showed no signs of pain when doing so in hand but was very offended that I asked from her back. I gave her some taps with the whip but didn't make a difference. Swinging a lead rope around did but she stopped again soon after. Nonetheless she will be properly checked tomorrow and if not I will get the vet out and let her have a rest period. Because she physically can do it and was happy to I'm leaning towards her trying it on but if it's pain she will get whatever she needs!

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

I don’t have much to offer that is any different to others but wanted to say don’t worry it’s so easy to go off the deep end and think the worst, especially when you only have one horse and start reading Dr Google ?

Personally I’d start with a vet check up and go from there.

Thank you yes I hit a rough patch there. She's getting looked at tomorrow ?

 

[FourLeafClover]

Apologies if you have mentioned this and I’ve missed it, but does she wear shoes or is she barefoot? Whichever it is, has it always been like this or recently changed from one or the other?
If she’s shod and wasn’t shod before you got her, I’d be thinking she could have some concussion pain going up her legs that’s making trotting on the roads uncomfortable. If she’s barefoot she might have worn her feet down a lot so she’s feeling her feet more than before. There are some very knowledgable people on her that can cast a good critical eye over a set of foot photos ?

 

[Boulty]

I'd say take her out inhand a few times & see what she does. Then longlines with roller. Then longlines with saddle. See of any of those is an issue. (Might give you an idea as to whether it's certain ground that's the problem, whether there's one or two particular spots she's gotten into habit of napping in, whether there's perhaps an issue with the saddle etc)

Vet, teeth & saddle check probably a good idea if not done recently (if she's been restarted recently she's likely changed shape as you've upped the work so saddle may need adjustment or even a new saddle if changed a lot) but I wouldn't necessarily take a clear vet check as there being no issues depending on their area of interest & how good they are at looking at the whole horse as it were.

It could literally be that either she's gotten to the stage where she's pushing a few boundaries & seeing what she can get away with or of course could be the opposite & she's lacking a bit of confidence for whatever reason.