Very bad ride today.

D

DrDolittle

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Ok been having a few issues with my boy the last few weeks, he has begun napping when hacking out alone and has learnt that reaing is fun, has been fine in the school. He has also been a little unsettled in his stable, very distracted and he keeps looking out of his stable up the lane.

So anyway I get to yard today bring him in from the field and he is really hyper in his stable, box walking and really unsettled, the YM said that he was really wound up this morning and that she thinks its the foxes down the lane calling that is winding him up.

I arranged to go a small hack with a very good forward going horse, thinking if my horse is lacking confidence when alone it may help. He was ok most of the way round, its only a short but we had a few nappy moments nothing mayjor.

Anyway we get back to the yard and I take him in the school for a canter, down one end of the school he was fine, working as normal, then attempt to take him up the other end of the school and he does an almighty spook I come flying out the side door he takes off round the school, I manage to get him and get back on, start working him again, come down the end of the school and exactly the same thing happens again, and again come flying off.

Get back on and start trying to circle him closer to then end of the school, try keeping his mind on me all going well till we come round again and again, massive spook and twist and again I come off.

So get back on, try walking him in the other direction, he starts napping then does a huge rear and spin, somehow I managed to stay on but then decide to get off and put him on the lunge, Lunge him till he is knackered then get back on and walk him past spooky area. He was a lot better but still on edge.

The end of the school that he had a problem with is where the gate is, when he got me off I had to walk him up that end to get back on, he was fine with me walking him to the mounting block and standing there whilst I got on, so am thinking if there was something there he would of been funny with me getting on, right?

Anyway, just wondering what people would of done in this situation.

He is usually such a laid back horse, I dont know what has gotten into him. He is rising 6 warmblood, and I know a lot of people think 6 is the naughty year.

I have had problems with his spookiness before but he has been loads better the last few months, could how he has been behaving in his stable effect his ridden work?

I know this is long winded but just wanted to know if anyone has had similar problems and how to overcome them.
 
HollyB66 said:
Can not offer any help or suggestions, but think you were incredibly brave to keep getting on. Well done :D
Click to expand...

What she said ^^^

My only suggestion is that maybe you should take a look at his feed. Now he will have stopped growing maybe he doesn't need what he's having and it's making him wired.

Other than that, I don't feel I can help so hopefully someone more experienced will have some better ideas.

Good luck!
 
I once got dumped five times with my last horse and kept getting back on. he had the knack of doing the dippy shoulder spin when you were least expecting it. I probably would have done the same. Perserverance and forward motion. I hate leaving any schooling session on a negative note. My normally laid back five year old is doing the "theres a monster at that corner" routine at the moment but I think its because she's being brought back into work and is feeling fresh.
 
I would just like to say you are one brave lady to get back on well done :)

I've just been through similar to this but not as extreme with my mare who just had this real thing about the hedge along one side of our school, one day she'd be fine the next it was trying to kill her.

I got to the point where I was making it into a big deal so got a very confident person to ride her through it as she began to take the P and my confidence just couldn't take it any more.

Confident person has ridden her 4 times next to this hedge and I lunged her in the school on Friday and she did a massive spook so I very firmly made her go near it and then she lunged perfectly and I got back on and rode her past it today.

Knowing her as I do I imagine that one day she will have another go at the 'I'm so scared of the hedge' thing but now I know she is just trying it on I won't let her get to that point again!
Don't know if this will help you as you are obviously very confident but I wonder if subconsciously you are letting off vibes (and no one could blame you) after the first time?
 
Thanks for the replys, I don't know if it is brave or stupid to keep getting back on when he is in that crazy mood. I am regretting it today, I am aching so badly it feels like I have been beaten up with a baseball bat. I'll just lunge today I think.

Do people really believe that horses have a personality transplant at the age of five/six?

My friend went through a similar phase with her gelding and she puts it down to his age, I am a little more negative than she is so have been thinking that there must be something seriously wrong with him for him to act like this.

When telling my bf about what happened he replied "he just didn't want to be ridden, why didn't you just leave him alone?" Such wise words.:rolleyes:
 
Firstlt well done for getting back on...and back on...and back on....! Think twice and I've have sacked if for the day?

I don't have a clue - I'm rubbish at advise.

But if it was me... I'd have his back and teeth checked - just to set my mind at rest. I'd also get his saddle checked as a 6 year old can be changing shape and maybe something is pinching? Then probably run through a mental check list... Is he out at night? If it is the foxes try keeping him in a for a couple of night to see if he's better? Have you changed feed recently? Is he getting enough/too much? Is he cold? (My horse hates cold and needs to wear a exercise rug when hacking or warming up or he's a real handful).

I realise this is probably no help at all- was just thinking- 'what would I do?'

Hope he sorts himself out and make sure you get a hot bath tonight!
 
Yeap 5/6 is horrible age!!! :( I had months of tears and 1 phone call to an advertiser to sell before my lad calmed down!!! (Glad I kept on..he's great fun now!!) My other boy is nearly 5 and even though he's a dream at the moment I'm dreading it!!!

I'd definately look at your feed, I had to take LC off mixes because they sent him loopy. Well done for getting back on, hope you feel better soon.
 
When we got our 5 year old ID xTB last aug he was a nightmare for 6 months , spooking, jumping out of every field, running through fences, leaping over jumps like they were 8 foot walls and much more, very jumpy in the stable and would not be tied up, went through loads of problems, thought of selling after 4 months, but he has been turned away for 4 weeks over xmas and he is a different boy!!! lets hope it lasts, perservere and see how it goes, i wish you all the best.
 
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