Suspecting someone drugging your horse?

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TwinnyOlive

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What would you do if you suspected but had no proof someone was feeding your horse/drugging it? I do have a strong instinct someone is (Very jealous/spiteful person), I think the person is because my horse has severe mood changes and temperament few hours after the person has been around? I'm on DIY livery here so no one else looks after my horse or anything. For the first few months I had my horse she was fine, mega relaxed and super brave, however after having some success on her and getting on really well she has changed becoming slightly nervy? I know it sounds a little stupid but I really do suspect it as silly and paranoid as it sounds.
 
What do you think that they could be giving them exactly?

Not to add fuel to the fire but do you think the horse is getting a smack instead? Neither are good, can you hide in the stable and see if anything happens?
 
dianchi said:
What do you think that they could be giving them exactly?

Not to add fuel to the fire but do you think the horse is getting a smack instead? Neither are good, can you hide in the stable and see if anything happens?
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Idk oats or lots of sunflower oil into our feed which is kept were anyone can access it. Yeah I thought that to, the person is always up near my horses field doing someone elses so who knows :( I would hide in the stable/field but I thinks they are to clever as she'll see our car is there and it'll be hard to know when they are around...
 
Speak to your YO and raise your concerns... and/or set up some kind of 'webcam' (think you can get battery powered ones now) and view...
 
Surely you'd notice if someone was putting oats or sunflower seeds into your feed. However, if that's what you think is "drugging" your horse then why not put your feed where it can't be accessed by all and sundry?
 
*hic* said:
Surely you'd notice if someone was putting oats or sunflower seeds into your feed. However, if that's what you think is "drugging" your horse then why not put your feed where it can't be accessed by all and sundry?
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agree with this or have it at home and only bring up the amount you need for that day with you so you know its not been tampered with
 
*hic* said:
Surely you'd notice if someone was putting oats or sunflower seeds into your feed. However, if that's what you think is "drugging" your horse then why not put your feed where it can't be accessed by all and sundry?
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This. Or as Hedwards mentioned, get a webcam.
 
*hic* said:
Surely you'd notice if someone was putting oats or sunflower seeds into your feed. However, if that's what you think is "drugging" your horse then why not put your feed where it can't be accessed by all and sundry?
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I wouldn't I don't think, its a chaff mixture and my horse eats anything so she wouldn't not eat her feed. I don't class that as drugging when I said drugging I meant a performance enhancing drug. Yes I will however I thought in a yard with a feed room shared with others that someone wouldn't be so low.
 
Hedwards said:
Speak to your YO and raise your concerns... and/or set up some kind of 'webcam' (think you can get battery powered ones now) and view...
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Yard owners absolutely useless, non horsey and just a business man who would tell you just to get a grip or leave the yard straight away. Think I will go down the camera route.
 
TwinnyOlive said:
I wouldn't I don't think, its a chaff mixture and my horse eats anything so she wouldn't not eat her feed. I don't class that as drugging when I said drugging I meant a performance enhancing drug. Yes I will however I thought in a yard with a feed room shared with others that someone wouldn't be so low.
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So you think someone is spending good money giving your horse a performance enhancing drug? Rather than trying to catch someone doing that why would your first action not be to stop the feed being tampered with by removing it from the feed room or perhaps you could lock the container.
 
*hic* said:
So you think someone is spending good money giving your horse a performance enhancing drug? Rather than trying to catch someone doing that why would your first action not be to stop the feed being tampered with by removing it from the feed room or perhaps you could lock the container.
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They are that petty yes, they couldn't care less as long as I cannot have success over them or beat them at competitions. Yes I will be doing that however I share a small feed room with others who will not be happy if we locked it.
 
So someone else feeds your horse for you?
Can you feed it yourself?

If you think your feed whilst in bins is being tampered with then chain and lock your bins- sadly had to do this myself when feed went missing at previous yards.

Equally still a little confused here, is there an actual drug you think your horse is being given? For doping I can see that but why would someone give "enhancing drugs", its not exactly cheap!
 
so have you been at the yard for only a few months or had the horse for only a few months? or both?- some horses are more sedate while they settle in, with a new home and owner, and then get more confident, which can come across as nervy as they get more forward. i think perhaps you are being paranoid. mood changes can happen, both mine get grumpier at this time of year and the colder and windier weather can make them more on edge. however, like others have suggested, if you are concerned you can try and set up a camera! even if your feed was locked up your horse could still be fed by them.
only other thing, like someone else mentioned, is that this livery could be nasty to your horse, like hitting it, causing it to be on edge.
 
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dianchi said:
So someone else feeds your horse for you?
Can you feed it yourself?

If you think your feed whilst in bins is being tampered with then chain and lock your bins- sadly had to do this myself when feed went missing at previous yards.

Equally still a little confused here, is there an actual drug you think your horse is being given? For doping I can see that but why would someone give "enhancing drugs", its not exactly cheap!
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No someone doesn't feed her, I do all the time.

No not a drug in particular but something that's high energy/stamina which wouldn't surprise me if they have tried using it them selves.
 
pippixox said:
so have you been at the yard for only a few months or had the horse for only a few months? or both?- some horses are more sedate while they settle in, with a new home and owner, and then get more confident, which can come across as nervy as they get more forward. i think perhaps you are being paranoid. mood changes can happen, both mine get grumpier at this time of year and the colder and windier weather can make them more on edge. however, like others have suggested, if you are concerned you can try and set up a camera! even if your feed was locked up your horse could still be fed by them.
only other thing, like someone else mentioned, is that this livery could be nasty to your horse, like hitting it, causing it to be on edge.
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We've had her 6 months now and for about 2 months (since I started competing lots). Its also strange as earlier in the year magically our trailer had a puncture when it hadn't been moved for months and didn't the week before when we checked it, feel like theres a bit of spite there. Maybe yes I am being paranoid, they could well be hitting it so I will consider putting a camera up if this continues...
 
TwinnyOlive said:
We've had her 6 months now and for about 2 months (since I started competing lots). Its also strange as earlier in the year magically our trailer had a puncture when it hadn't been moved for months and didn't the week before when we checked it, feel like theres a bit of spite there. Maybe yes I am being paranoid, they could well be hitting it so I will consider putting a camera up if this continues...
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it may gone flat from sitting there as its very possible.

If you think people are interfering with your horse then move
 
MadBlackLab said:
it may gone flat from sitting there as its very possible.

If you think people are interfering with your horse then move
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99% sure it was punctured, funny enough the day before we go collect a new pony. We have tried moving stables unfortunately cannot find any within 30 minutes, this yards 5 minutes from our house.
 
dianchi said:
Sorry so when do you think they are tampering??
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They come down at weird times when everyones at work so the yard is empty inc the yard owner who will be working, they then also stay down till late at night after most people have left. Unfortunately we are down in a yard away from the hustle and bustle so it would be easily done.
 
Sorry I wasn't clear, so what do you think they are tampering with? Your feed in feed bins? Or that they are going to all the effort of making another feed to give to your horse?

If its your feed in feed bins- lock them or take the feed home.

Seriously though, I think that your horse is probably miffed at the weather, and also that true character now you have had them a while is coming out.
 
dianchi said:
Sorry I wasn't clear, so what do you think they are tampering with? Your feed in feed bins? Or that they are going to all the effort of making another feed to give to your horse?

If its your feed in feed bins- lock them or take the feed home.

Seriously though, I think that your horse is probably miffed at the weather, and also that true character now you have had them a while is coming out.
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Agree with this
 
TwinnyOlive said:
No someone doesn't feed her, I do all the time.

No not a drug in particular but something that's high energy/stamina which wouldn't surprise me if they have tried using it them selves.
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Has the routine changed at all - If she's usually out and then now in she probably has excess energy. Could just be the weather as well - it's winding up some of the most laid back horses - if you're worried get a blood test
 
budley95 said:
Has the routine changed at all - If she's usually out and then now in she probably has excess energy. Could just be the weather as well - it's winding up some of the most laid back horses - if you're worried get a blood test
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Nope, routines the same, no more feed, shes actually in more work then she was. Will consider it.
 
It doesn't have to be contaminated feed. I strongly suspected someone was feeding my horse oats in my absence years ago. I was eventually proved right. so it may not just be paranoia.
 
All saying that how can they feed her horse - Quite easy, when owner is not there they have their own buckets i guess due to having horses - make nice tasty high energy feed and voila. What are is her horse/her horses fed on?
 
If she is doing more work she is now obviously fitter in which case she will become sharper - this combined with recent weather could be the cause. Sometimes we horse owners can get a bit paranoid - hopefully it is fitness that is the cause.
 
TwinnyOlive said:
Nope, routines the same, no more feed, shes actually in more work then she was. Will consider it.
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So you've had the horse for six months, started competing more two months ago and this was at the same time as the behaviour change. I suspect you may want to look a little closer to home before accusing someone no matter how petty and spiteful you think they are. It is more than probably that this change in behaviour has something to do with the horses increased fitness and workload or her actually competing more or a combination of both. I'm not saying do not suspect them, I'm saying rule out all other possible and more probable causes first. For example, you say you fed a mix, cereals don't go well with many horses and the feed itself could be the cause. It could be the winter and any relative routine change such as you upping the feed for winter or stabling the horse. Adding excess veg oil is not going to 'drug' a horse, it's slow release energy. Personally I would buy a lockable feed bin, strip the horse back to basics in the form of a orange based diet with no cereals. Lay off competing for a couple of weeks, probably just pootle out on some hacks and then reasses.
 
Prancer & Vixen said:
So you've had the horse for six months, started competing more two months ago and this was at the same time as the behaviour change. I suspect you may want to look a little closer to home before accusing someone no matter how petty and spiteful you think they are. It is more than probably that this change in behaviour has something to do with the horses increased fitness and workload or her actually competing more or a combination of both. I'm not saying do not suspect them, I'm saying rule out all other possible and more probable causes first. For example, you say you fed a mix, cereals don't go well with many horses and the feed itself could be the cause. It could be the winter and any relative routine change such as you upping the feed for winter or stabling the horse. Adding excess veg oil is not going to 'drug' a horse, it's slow release energy. Personally I would buy a lockable feed bin, strip the horse back to basics in the form of a orange based diet with no cereals. Lay off competing for a couple of weeks, probably just pootle out on some hacks and then reasses.
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I agree with this. Check her diet. A plastic bin can easily be adapted by drilling one or two holes to attach padlocks to, or as you are five minutes away, you could keep your feed at home for a bit :) Get your vet to have a look just in case, also physio, dentist and saddler to be safe. Cut back the competing and just enjoy your horse for a while. Regarding the trailer tyre, it was probably just a slow puncture. And the other livery may simply work odd hours themselves! Several of those on our yard do.

But if you are really uncomfortable and don't trust your YO and fellow liveries, then sadly all you can do is move yard.
 
Arizahn said:
I agree with this. Check her diet. A plastic bin can easily be adapted by drilling one or two holes to attach padlocks to, or as you are five minutes away, you could keep your feed at home for a bit :) Get your vet to have a look just in case, also physio, dentist and saddler to be safe. Cut back the competing and just enjoy your horse for a while. Regarding the trailer tyre, it was probably just a slow puncture. And the other livery may simply work odd hours themselves! Several of those on our yard do.

But if you are really uncomfortable and don't trust your YO and fellow liveries, then sadly all you can do is move yard.
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She hasn't competed for 4 months and I highly doubt that is the case.
 
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