TB Has gone very spooky

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HannahKate98

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I have a new TB gelding 13y/o ex racer. For the first few weeks he was a dream to ride (sensitive to leg and hand) but went fabulously.

Had him fitted for a new saddle last week after loosing the use of the one I had for him 6 days previous as we were testing a new saddle (which fits perfectly) he decided to rear and buck multiple times (he had me off) he walked around fine after with saddle and myself on top.

He is now just very spooky in the stable and incredibly full of himself for the first few minutes of every ride. He is now terrified of being tied up too, never been treated poorly or scared while tied up this all came on after he had me off.

He is rugged up (light weight as he is a rather hot horse) no hard feed as he is a good doer and is on lush grass at the minute.

ANY tips or advice would be very much appreciated as I don't want him to be stressed etc.
 
Hmmm I think so often horses take a lot longer than we think to settle into a new place- even though they might initially seem to get on okay, I would always give the benefit of the doubt as he is so new to you. Remember everything has changed for him- right down to the grass/hay/ taste of the water! Have you changed his feed at all? Are you keeping him on a different routine to his previous home?
Also- all of mine have been on their toes at the minute! The change in weather and a late flush of grass coming through after the warm and wet weather has them all acting up and feeling fresh!
If I were you I'd keep persevering. When a horse is unsettled it can help to have a strict routine, as this can provide structure and security. I would also contact an instructor, if you have one, just to get a second opinion - or they could even have a sit on him an see how they think he should be managed.
Maybe consider contacting his previous owners too to ask for advice? Just in case he's ever done anything similar before they can offer very reassuring advice- I have done it myself with new horses. As always do the usual back/teeth/ general pain check- just to make sure he's not trying to express any discomfort!
Good luck and I hope it all works out for you !
 
The saddle would be an obvious place to start- perhaps worth getting a second opinion?
Did you have him vetted when you bought him? When you say a few weeks, how many has it been? It could be worth getting the bloods tested
 
It could be many things or a mix of several, first I would question the saddle fit, his reaction seems extreme even if it appears to fit perfectly he may be telling you it doesn't suit him or it may have been a coincidence that the behaviour was when you were trying it, was that the first time on him for 6 days?

He may be feeling too well on the lush grass and benefit from having some time in eating soaked hay to reduce his sugar intake, he may have pulled a muscle or tweaked something in the field or when he reacted to you getting on, if he hurts he will be tense, if it is his neck or poll that hurts it may be worse when tied up especially if the headcollar is a bulky one, many are so heavy now they must be uncomfortable if the horse has any neck pain.

I think it may be a good idea to get some help, having an experienced person on the ground can often help find a problem or at least rule out the more obvious, or get your vet to give him a check up as to me it sounds as if there is pain somewhere although finding it may not be easy.
 
My tb is very sensitive to his saddle. It fitted perfectly but then settled ( it was new). Had it refitted and it needed slight reflocking. Tb felt it straight away. No major reaction but I could feel his back up for a few days till saddle settled again. This happens every time the saddle is refitted. As for settling in, I have now had my tb for just over a year. He seemed settled from the word go but has settled even more over the last few months. He may just be testing you a bit. A lot of tb pull back so I have been told. Mine did, still does on occasion. How about trying a bit of groundwork before getting on, just getting him focused on you.
 
Sounds like the saddle - just because it fits doesn't mean the horse likes it.

That would be my first port of call.
 
Theocat said:
Sounds like the saddle - just because it fits doesn't mean the horse likes it.

That would be my first port of call.
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I have tried him in his old saddle and he still acted the same (he was fab in it before dropping me in a heap too)

I really am well and truly confused
 
Worth getting his back checked over? Whatever made him react like that to the new saddle, the behaviour could have caused a tweak that then causes pain in any saddle. Could he have frightened himself and lost all his confidence?
 
Probably saddle and now he has lost his confidence because of it so will react the same way each time until he realises there is no pain.

Would start there and get a second opinion about it and a vet then maybe physio to check his back.

A saddle can fit but they still don't like it. Mine won't have any sort of free movement unless it's a specific saddle brand. He does also when the saddle doesn't fit start misbehaving a bit but I know when that is as he will start walking away when I bring the saddle to him. When he is happy he stands still.
 
Mine is either a saint or a complete idiot- there is rarely an in between.

This week he has schooled beautifully in gale force winds and hacked out no bother.

Last night, in calm weather (albeit a very light shower), after 10 minutes in the manège absolute no issues, he suddenly took exception to the letter C and literally disappeared from underneath me while we trotting past. I have no idea how I stayed on. He continued with this reaction every single time past and then I got him past it and just when I thought we had conquered the demons, he then did exactly the same at the letter H (which he had previously completely ignored) and I was very nearly deposited again.

It was a real deep breaths and count to ten before I killed him scenario. Took him back round and he proceeded to then spook violently at both C and H, every time round.

I got him past once, with as little fuss as I could, did some work the other way and called it a day.

Hoping he will be in a better frame of mind this evening!

I've had mine 5 years and he has always been the same. I call it the Thoroughbred brain switch, once it clicks on, there's not a lot you can do about it until it clicks back off.
 
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My 7/8th TB is quite bright at the moment and I'm sure it's a combination of the cooler weather and the flush of grass. When you are happy the saddle is OK, you could always lunge him before you ride just to take the edge of him and yes, as others have said, it is early days and he may just be settling down.
 
Autumn grass ....my mostly tb hanoverian went from her normal manageable levels of spook/sharp to down right bat **** crazy!!! Took her off 24/7 turnout, in at night, muzzle by day on grass and within 48 hours she was back to normal sanity levels.
 
scats said:
Mine is either a saint or a complete idiot- there is rarely an in between.

This week he has schooled beautifully in gale force winds and hacked out no bother.

Last night, in calm weather (albeit a very light shower), after 10 minutes in the manège absolute no issues, he suddenly took exception to the letter C and literally disappeared from underneath me while we trotting past. I have no idea how I stayed on. He continued with this reaction every single time past and then I got him past it and just when I thought we had conquered the demons, he then did exactly the same at the letter H (which he had previously completely ignored) and I was very nearly deposited again.

It was a real deep breaths and count to ten before I killed him scenario. Took him back round and he proceeded to then spook violently at both C and H, every time round.

I got him past once, with as little fuss as I could, did some work the other way and called it a day.

Hoping he will be in a better frame of mind this evening!

I've had mine 5 years and he has always been the same. I call it the Thoroughbred brain switch, once it clicks on, there's not a lot you can do about it until it clicks back off.
Click to expand...

But C and H are highly highly dangerous and MUST always be avoided at all costs, didn't you know this 😂😂😂😂.
My horse had a right paddy last night when my husband did the zip up on his jacket. I think she actually feared for her life (????) Daft bat !
 
scats said:
Mine is either a saint or a complete idiot- there is rarely an in between.

This week he has schooled beautifully in gale force winds and hacked out no bother.

Last night, in calm weather (albeit a very light shower), after 10 minutes in the manège absolute no issues, he suddenly took exception to the letter C and literally disappeared from underneath me while we trotting past. I have no idea how I stayed on. He continued with this reaction every single time past and then I got him past it and just when I thought we had conquered the demons, he then did exactly the same at the letter H (which he had previously completely ignored) and I was very nearly deposited again.

It was a real deep breaths and count to ten before I killed him scenario. Took him back round and he proceeded to then spook violently at both C and H, every time round.

I got him past once, with as little fuss as I could, did some work the other way and called it a day.

Hoping he will be in a better frame of mind this evening!

I've had mine 5 years and he has always been the same. I call it the Thoroughbred brain switch, once it clicks on, there's not a lot you can do about it until it clicks back off.
Click to expand...

Sounds like my old Welsh x ... must be all the thoroughbred blood in the Welsh ponies :D
 
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