what could have happened- freaked out horse

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clairefeekerry1

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our horses are in a summer paddock about 3 min walk from the yard, all on private land. horse came in on wed to be ridden etc and all was fine. came in yesterday and was quite spooky to lead in which is v unusal and quite unsettled in the yard. was very spooky to ride, to the point where he'd stop dead mid work to spook at something (or nothing in my view!!) rode him thru and after a while worked quite nicely, was okay in yard and going out ot field. today, stupidly spooky in yard, was trying to bath him for a show tomorrow and he was physically shaking/trembling. wouldnt stand, wouldnt eat. this is so not like him! what could have happened?? i've always been with him in the yard, nothing bad has happened. i'm bit worriee now something has happened, another livery has reported a susp car the other day hanging about, could there be something dead in the bushes that he can smell. all the other horses seem to be okay and he seems fine in the field, still comes to call etc????
 
Double double check he hasn't got a tiny little plait hidden away somewhere in his mane or tail. Just in case someone has marked him out to be taken
 
wizzybit said:
Double double check he hasn't got a tiny little plait hidden away somewhere in his mane or tail. Just in case someone has marked him out to be taken
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I thought this had been confirmed as a complete myth.

OP - Is there any different livestock out in adjoining fields that could have freaked him?
Mine was ok with the cows in the next field but was completely freaked when they used to be herded in for milking.
How is he is the stable?
 
there field overlooks rolling hills, which is lovely, but also comes with the odd dog waker, deer, etc etc but he should be used to that, but he seems fine in the field, its when he leaves the field and comes to the yard. he had his mane pulled today so def nothing in his mane.
he was so distracted/not with it in the yard, everytime i tried to get his attention and say oi, listen, he even tried to nip me!!!! as if to say sod off i'm staring at something! tried to take him for a little walk to see if it was something in particular, but it wasn't. was just everything he was freaked out by
 
I don't know about a myth. But it certainly happened to my friend up the road only a few weeks ago. Strange car, plait in forelock and freaked out pony. Doesn't sound much like a myth to me.

Has someone perhaps been shooting nearby? Now pheasant shooting season is over, they have started shooting rats. T
 
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Oh shush wizzybit, its been discounted by the police.

Kids messing around in his field? Dog getting in? Spring grass? Tummy pains? Bite thats bugging him on his head or where his headcollar sits?

Someone smacked him on the bum when walking past on the yard or something?

I wouldnt worry, but your friend should alert the police through their non emergency number about that car. But if the other horses are fine, I wouldnt worry about someone stealing them. xxxx
 
wizzybit said:
I don't know about a myth. But it certainly happened to my friend up the road only a few weeks ago. Strange car, plait in forelock and freaked out pony. Doesn't sound much like a myth to me.
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Personally, I think it is just scaremongering and until we have proof, I shall stick to that opinion.

I don't think posting replies like that in response to the question are particularly helpful.

I think all horse owners are aware of horse thieves and hope against hope that it never happens to us.

OP - You don't have any para gliders or the like in your area do you? Maybe something 'silent' in the air has freaked him.
 
well our fields are on a big country estate where shooting etc happens all the time as do other events but we are always pre warned and nothing ever bothers him, or hasnt to date. only thing i thought was he had a few blood blister fly bite things on his sheath (tiny little bites) but maybe that was freaking him out.
the estate is protrolled all the time and there is 24/7 securtiy so i really wouldnt think or hope it was something un toward. just is so unlike him though. have a bi competion tomorrow so hope he settles.
 
Mine can get odd days like this, and it's just a passing thing until they feel secure again - he'll be spooky, constantly tossing his head and not happy to stand still being tied up. When I was in the process of buying him he was stressed out all day one of the days I was trying him as a fox had been through the yard at night. When I'd only had him a matter of months we had to face his absolute nightmare which was go past a field of quad bikes racing round a track and he almost melted in fear, having jog trotted home in a lather he then reared up in his stable and it took 2 of us to get him out to the field and he wouldn't come back across to the yard without getting very stressed for 2 days. Then last year my YO rescued a baby pigeon and put it in the stable next to my horse's stable overnight - I had to almost peel him off the wall the next day he was so scared of this bird and just wanted to get to the big wide free space of his field where he didn't feel confined. I try and bear with him in these moments as he's just being a horse reacting as a prey item feeling like he should flee from danger. Yours sounds like he's just not got over what spooked him yet, but I'm sure he will settle again.
 
The flies can make them mental sometimes, they really distress one of mine. The other thing that can have a dramatic effect is a badger. I'd just see how he goes for a couple of days.
 
clairefeekerry1 said:
our horses are in a summer paddock about 3 min walk from the yard, all on private land. horse came in on wed to be ridden etc and all was fine. came in yesterday and was quite spooky to lead in which is v unusal and quite unsettled in the yard. was very spooky to ride, to the point where he'd stop dead mid work to spook at something (or nothing in my view!!) rode him thru and after a while worked quite nicely, was okay in yard and going out ot field. today, stupidly spooky in yard, was trying to bath him for a show tomorrow and he was physically shaking/trembling. wouldnt stand, wouldnt eat. this is so not like him! what could have happened?? i've always been with him in the yard, nothing bad has happened. i'm bit worriee now something has happened, another livery has reported a susp car the other day hanging about, could there be something dead in the bushes that he can smell. all the other horses seem to be okay and he seems fine in the field, still comes to call etc????
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this is all exactly what my mares been like she was fine two weeks ago on the wednessday thur she was really spooky and trembleing when tried up and fidgiting when being tacked up and a night mare to ride shes been like it for two weeks now (spooking) and ive about had enough i dont know what it is im just putting it down to hormones spring grass wooly hedges ect
 
Were there any thunder storms? I serious crack of lightning last year (which scared the hell out of me as it was so close!) sent my 2 ponies into quivering wrecks for an hour afterwards - never seen them like that ever, they are so laid back!
 
Hmmmmm, not sure about this plait business but it's horrible to think about!

I have a massive, massive problem with cows! Why do they boggle out of hedge rows and then chase after you down the field??! I am seriously considering increasing the proportion of beef in my diet to reduce their numbers!!

I wonder if something noctural has moved into a field near yours and its freaked the hebajeebies out of her? Does she live out?
 
A pair of herons totally freaked my horses, and they are uber laid back. They were only passing on the way to check out the neighborhood goldfish as we are not near water.
 
So horse is fine in field but stressed when brought in for work.
Sounds like it could be a pain issue assosiated to being worked.
I'd check him over very carefully from ear to toe.
Check how his saddle is sitting as well and his tack etc.
 
Has your grass shot up recently? Sometimes a big growth spurt in the grass reduces its quality (and the levels of magnesium it contains) which make some sensitive horses a bit potty- could it be that simple?
 
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