vicious circle - any advice?

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elana

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So - I'm new to this - and really need to vent my frustrations.... ideas and advise welcolme!
I have not long ago purchased a 2 year old - and boy is he a doll... so brave and easy to handel (to a certain degree!) I try to spend as much time with him as possible to try to get him used to stuff and so that he fully trusts me when the big day arrives. So this all sounds great - but he has not been sound for months now - he is always getting himself into trouble... He is stabled as I have no access to winter grazing, however he is let out into a small arena twice a day and we go walking as often as possible in search of grass and fun stuff! The problem is - although he has plenty of horses around him he has no nose to nose contact with them. Since having him - he has twisted his fetllock after an outburst thus meaning limited play, then thrush which made him very sore footed... and now he seems to have severe muscle pain in his hind limb which is making him unbelivably grouchy
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I really am at my wits end - I think he is also grouchy because of the lack of a play mate - but yeh - what do I do - he is sore so needs rest - but he is a baby and needs to play...
In general he is a good natured horse - but does nip - I have been trying to stop this and it was gradually improving - but now he is just not happy - I don't blame him - to be honest I'd bite me if I was the only living contact I had!
I just want the best for him.... importantly a happy/healthy horse... what do I do ? Risk letting him play and furthering his injuries, or keep him alone and "sensible" - jeezzz its so hard to make a decission for him... Everyone around me suggests rest - but yeh how do you tell a horse to take it easy and not hurt themselves... and rest seems to be making him miserable... I am really seeing a change of character in him
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Any words of encouragement out there!! this is what keeps me awake at night.
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Any nice games we can do to keep him attentive but bearing in mind he is a nipper!
We massage every day to try and realease the tension in him... and fingers crossed he can be turned out in April - but that seems soooo far away! HELP!!!
 
If he was my horse I would find somewhere to turn him out - even if that meant moving yards. I don't personally think that horses you can't ride, such as youngsters should be kept in 24/7. The severe muscle pain what has your vet said about it? Sounds a bit like Azatouria, how much are you feeding him?
 
I agree definately move him to somewhere he can be turned out and socialise more, I am sure he will be much happier and more settled for it.

cheers

Silv
 
I also think this colt should be running with others of his own age and getting the grass, he is at a learning point and should be allowed to play and interact with others close up. This post do's annoy me a little as i'm sure it do's others !! leave the youngsters to the professionals no wonder these animals end up with problems!! He might be alright to handle at the moment but he will get problems, try and find a stud or someone with other youngsters and leave him there this will cost but youngsters are expensive if you do not have the facilities, good luck let us know how you get on sorry if ive been a bit harsh but you did ask, if you are asking there IS a problem.
 
I would move yards so I could turn out I think mixing with the other horses is very importantfor later life, you will prob find that once the TO is more and consestent, your horse will not play about to the extent it causes injurys to himself prob be a quick run and buck then settle down to graze,
 
Try and find a local stud or similar who may be able to offer you grazing and turnout with horses of a similar age. Youngsters need horses to horse interaction so they learn social boundaries etc. If you have your own grazing back in the summer then have him back with you then!!!
 
I had a 3/4 yo last year.
I changed yards to be closer to home and my grazing was limited. He was stabled at night and hated it. He went from a laid back and happy youngster to being depressed and agitated.
I was the first to hold my hands up and admit he wasnt happy and that he needed other horses and lots of turnout. He's now turned out 24/7 and is caked in mud, playing all day long....what babies should be doing. Yes, I sent him back. It broke my heart, but it was what was right for him.
See if you can find somewhere to chuck him out. At this stage he'll be fine, if previously well handled, to be out in a herd. You only need bring him in for feed/feet etc.
Youngsters learn some of their most important lessons from being out with others, mainly manners, but also other things such as good balance in full out gallop!
If you can't find turnout for him I would have to say you'd be better to send him out as a companion for the rest of the winter or sell him. It sounds harsh, but not as harsh as cooping up a baby who just wants to run free with his friends.
 
My 2yo baby is not with me at the moment, she is living away so she can be out 24/7 and playing with other youngsters. It sounds like he just needs to chill, be out and learning from others. I would worry that his muscles etc wouldn't develop properly if he has limited movement all winter.
I would look for another place to keep him even if he then has to be out 24/7 it will be far more natural and kind for him
 
Believe me I have looked for turn out but to no avail - (I don't live in the UK - had this been the case - I believe turn out wouldn't be a problem)... I'm just getting my knickers in a twist as I have limited resources for this horse (please don't misunderstand this - when I say limited - he is kept at a place where many amenieties are available -just not the grazing). -
(Plus its also better to vent in your native language)
Oh - And boy do I realise these circumstances are going to give me problems in the future.... hey I just want the best for him - so after sobbing my heart out for him - I will go and search and try to find a solution for this guy - god knows what but will fix this....

thx guys
 
First of all, welcome to the forum; I'm sure you'll find lots of good advice on here.

But secondly, I'm sorry to say, I will upset you now.

Why in God's name did you buy a youngster if you have no facilities for it to be out every day, 24/7 if possible? To buy this poor horse, even though you're doing your best for it as you see it, was very nearly bordering on cruelty, it is so unfair on both its mind and its body and one I can't condone, I'm sorry.

Please, like the others have said, try to find it somewhere where it can be turned out to play and interact with others and I'm sure you'll see a massive difference in his behaviour and possibly his soundness too. There must be yards that have 24/7 turnout by you cos they're everywhere if you look hard enough.

I can't stress how important it is to the well being of your horse but I'm sorry if my reply seems harsh.

Have just noticed you're not UK; hope you're not stuck in the middle of some desert or somewhere like that!
 
Where do you live? And how close to three is he?

Because if you had no turn out (which I do find strange unless you live in Alaska – cant you send him an hour up the road somewhere) I would back him at three. Which is young I know, but if you do it really slowly and carefully it will solve more problems than it causes.

Also why did you buy a 2yo horse if you new you had no turn out? Its not really fair on the horse, is it?
 
Kiddy Kid, where do you live?

I'm sure he would be much happier outside, even if it was only a small paddock, my youngster only has a tiny little turnout but he is much happier cos he can get to the other horse over the fence.

I'm sure it must be possible to find him something outside!

Otherwise play games inside the stable, likit toys, apple bobbing, hanging a haynet from the ceiling are all things I do. I also leave a radio on if they ahve to be in all day!
 
Kiddy kid, I am in a similar situation, I have no grazing 5 days a week, and have been searching desperately to find some, have placed ads in local shops, spoken with local estate agents and to no avail, but I do believe it is just the time of year, and the land should be coming available in the near future. Only when I get secured grazing can I think about getting a companion for my lad.

deep breaths!! try the stable toys!!
 
sounds like a very difficult situation, but turnout is so important for youngsters. I have a 4yr old and all he wants to do all day is run and play, even if its just in the tiny sand school, its better than nothing
 
Some horses never get over the need to be out even when ridden. My old TB used to go from relaxed gorgeousness, to utter dangerous lunatic if he couldnt be turned out for 8+ hours a day, so it might not be just when he's young that you'll need somewhere for him to be turned out regularly!
 
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