This weekend = VERY herdy/spooky horse - wind?

CobSunshine

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2010
Messages
390
Visit site
My horse is usually very laid back, doesn't bat an eyelid at anything, been there seen it all. Had some amazing hacks on him last few weeks and he's been good as gold. I knew something was wrong Saturday morning on the field. Shouted him and he did his usual trot towards me then stopped. I continued walking towards the gate but he wouldn't follow.

He then did a little nicker and stood looking at me, I approached him and he ran back to the herd, neighing several times on the way. For some reason it reminded me of Lassie the dog, like he wanted to show me something LOL. I followed after him and found him stood next to his best friend in the herd.

For the first time in months I had to use his head collar to get him off field. Took him for a short walk in hand before breakfast and he'd plant himself constantly, just seemed content to stand there and be very bolshy. Very glad to get back to his field.

Today again I needed headcollar to get him off field, tacked him up fine, but he seemed so jumpy at bikes going past/dogs/walkers etc. As soon as I got on him he dashed straight back to his field gate and put his head over. The bit didn't have any effect at all in stopping him.

After trying to commense the hack for 15 minutes he was having none of it, straight back to the gate everytime. He'd paw the floor at his gate like a raging bull! It seemed like nothing mattered but getting back to the herd to be safe?

Been to see him tonight and again he's just not interested in human contact, just eating and eating the small tufts of grass. Its so out of character for him.

Now its the first time its been windy both saturday and sunday for a long time, his ears were pointing a lot in different directions and he seemed so on edge - have you heard of wind turning a horse from good as gold to herdy spooky wreck?

Even more strangely over 4 different girls at the yard said their horses were REALLY playing up this weekend, one of them in tears thinking about selling hers as he'd misbehaved so out of character:eek:


If its not the wind - are horses affected by factors humans can't even detect? atmospheric pressures, moon cycles, things which drive nature to fight or flee?

My dad thinks something even deeper is going on with the world and nature in general and horses can sense this? he emailed this to me, but I think its a conspiracy theory too far!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...e-doves-fall-dead-Italy-blue-stain-beaks.html


:confused::confused::confused:
 
Well my horse has been a total plonker too but I put it down to lack of work because of the bad weather weve had, wind and possibly a hint of spring in the air.
That link is pretty scary though :(
 
Mine was a little more nervous than usual yesterday, a little better today, perhaps it is the wind. For an animal that relies on senses it makes sense that the noises and scents carries or masked by the wind would throw their flight responses. Perhaps your horse just felt safer in the herd, I felt mine was feeding off me more than he has for a while.
If others on the yard have been reacting the same way then it suggests that it is something atmospheric, rather than something to do with your horse individually.
Good luck and I hope all calms down soon!
 
Top