Unsure Whether To Ride Horse Tomorrow After An Incident We Had Today

tonitot

tonitot

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The incident is pretty much this .. I took Ethel on a hack today along a new route neither of us have been to before, through a country park. We got to the furthest point and I asked her to stand so I could read the board with a map of the park to see other trails we could go on another day. Ethel whipped round out of nowhere and tried to canter home, I pulled her up and turned her back round and had to give her a smack to get her to walk on again, Asked her to stand again, more to make her do as she was told than for me to read the board, and after a second of standing she spun, reared and plunged straight into a wooden fence that had barbed wire attached. I have no idea why she did it, she just has a habit at the moment of when being asked to stand still she throws a paddy when she doesn't want to do it anymore. Anyway, it was as if she was trying to plough through the fence (which seperated the bridleway from a main road) I don't know how I stayed on, I think it was because I was so worried that if I came off she would get into the road and get seriously hurt. Once I had managed to get her off the fence I looked to see if she had hurt herself and all I could see was blood on her shoulder and top of her leg. As she wasn't lame at all I rode her straight home, hosed her off and the cuts weren't as bad as I thought they would be, just a couple down her leg and across her chest. None were very deep, definately no need for stitching, but I gave them a good clean, sorted out some norodine for her and stuck some cream on the cuts and left her out to keep her moving and prevent her leg and chest swelling up.
She wasn't lame when I checked on her a while later and I don't think she'll go lame and as none of the cuts are near where her tack goes I wondered what your thoughts were on taking her for a quiet walk tomorrow? Obviously I will see how she is in the morning and if she's lame we wont go anywhere, but if she's not I think a walk could do her good, but I wanted to see what you guys would do in this situation?
 
Thanks guys, glad you both think it would be a good idea to take her out if she's sound, I wasn't sure if I was being a bit mean :P We recently moved to a new yard so everytime we hack out we generally go somewhere new but she's normally very well behaved, although today she was very on her toes and jig-jogged a lot of the time. Last week when I tried to take her out for the first time as I got on her she went bolt upright, smacked me in the face so hard she knocked me off her backwards, so we're not doing too well at the moment! She has been grand the rest of the time though, she just seems quite fresh some days.
 
Yes, a short gentle walk on a fail safe route, just to re-establish confidence in each other.
Well done for managing the situation - she got more than she bargained for with the fence in the way of her tantrum, not nice.
 
Oh dear not much fun but glad all ended relatively well and you were both safe. A gentle relaxed hack out tomorrow seems the best follow on to today to restore confidence for both of you and hopefully it will be nice and relaxed and tantrum free, well done for persevering x
 
sounds like she was being a bit of a madam with you!

I'd say, IF she's sound then go for a little stroll somewhere familiar just to check there's no stiffness or soreness lurking. Plus, it'll also help reassure you that you can have a nice hack out!
 
I reckon the change of yard is probably responsible for this silly behaviour. Well done for staying on, you must have got a fright :( maybe you could hack out with a friend tommorow (if shes sound of course) to boost both yours and her confidence?
 
I would go out in company providing the other horse is well behaved. The behaviour you've described sounds like napping. Maybe do the route you intended in the opposite direction (if it was a loop).
 
She is better being exercised under saddle than letting her stiffen up even if it is just a short walk :)

If the suts arent deep or in need of a vet I dont see why you cant ride her. :)
 
Thanks everyone. We don't have anyone to go out with but I'm not worried about getting back on her so I think I'll just take her for a toodle later on. She has been charging around the field this morning refusing to be caught, another thing she never normally does, I eventually caught her to bring her in for a feed with her norodine so hopefully she'll be better behaved later but she looked sound so we should be okay for a walk :)
 
I'd say it's all down to a change of yard. Just try and keep to your routine as much as possible, stick to your boundaries regarding her behaviour plus give it time and she'll settle without a doubt xx
 
Have you thought about giving her some magnesium/calcium, until she settles. New pasture can also mean she is now lacking in some essential minerals perhaps?
The move could well of upset her too and that'll only get better with time.

I'd ride her if it's safe to do so, or if not, just take her for a graze in hand and reasure her.
 
Mmmm, personally I'd bung on a pressure Halti underneath a bridle, and also put the saddle on as normal, but walk her out rather than ride. You can always hop up later on.

I'd be inclined to play safe, for now, to regain both of your confidence. Perhaps it would be good to take her on that same ride with a friend (as long as they have a nice steady mount), or walk her with the halti on if its not too far to go on foot?

Poor you, sounds awful.
 
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