Whats Happening to my horse ?

D

dafdaf

New User
Joined
11 March 2013
Messages
9
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
My first time on here, hoping any of u guys may be able to help ?
I have a 19yr old ex polo pony . Ive had her for 2 years :)
Shes aways been a bit of a nutter, walk and gallop thats all she knows:o

My big prob is in the field...any field.. she has to have a "corner" she will graze nearby, but if any other horse goes near her corner she will gallop to it stop within a inch of the fence and stand there!
it used to be quite funny but now she wont leave the corner! wont graze just stands in the corner of the field! if i shoo her away she just goes flat out to another corner and stands there all day.
wen she sees me she goes beserk to come in..so bad on sat she nearly came through the fence!! then she rears strikes out, it is really bad!! wen i get her in the yard she is like a kitten:confused:

The vet has seen her said she maybe jaundiced and has sent away bloods
said liver toxins can go to the brain and cause manic behavior
Am so upset ... waiting for blood results
Any ideas anyone
thank you
 
I am so sorry for you. Don't worry until you know what you are dealing with. Did vet check her eyes? I have seen very similar behaviour in a horse losing vision.
 
Not really going to be much help but my mum has an ex-racehorse of similar age who does exactly the same! She has also always been a bit nuts. Hers was with the gate more than corners, she would trot away and then suddenly spin and bolt back to the gate, and would do it again repeatedly if you shood her away. She started doing it around 3-4 years ago and has now progressed to 'hibernating' so from around November to March she refuses to come out of the stable and if you try and force her she also does the rearing, striking and literally climbing the fence. My mum describes it as a 'red mist' she's perfectly happy in her stable (mum goes down twice a day, she has boredom breakers etc, sounds a bit like we lock her up for a few months lol) and will tolerate being tied up outside it to be brushed for a short time or sometimes going for a little walk. She's happy as long as she's getting her own way. Sorry I can't shed any light on it but at least she's not the only oddball!
 
Thank u for your quick replies
Will let u no wen blood results back
I sometimes think she just hates the winter ! But being a polo pony you'd think she would b used to the cold..as they normally Live out All year!She loves her stable .. Will ask vet about her eyes thank u again : )
 
was your mare a polo pony right up till when you got her?
from the polo yards ive seen all horses live in fenced areas smaller than stables and each is very protective over their 'pen'. they have no grass and live on hay. it would possibly explain the behavour of not eating - as the mare doesnt understand this - and the standing by the fence - being routine/habit or for security.

my mare only ever went out on a sunday for 3 hours before i got her, and lived in a stable the rest of the time. she is much happier in a stable than outside. i guess she could be agoraphobic in a way and just feels happier with close walls/fencing/hedge around her. she is also better to hack between high hedge rows and always eats in a field next to a fence.
 


TandD - youv'e described perfectly my thoughts. Was a polo groom back in the Dark Ages and agree, she may be "guarding" her safe space. OP, please put your safety first - hard hat/gloves when leading maybe try a "Be Nice" halter (available online). I don't "do" NH/PP etc but this is the one piece of their kit that I wouldn't be without. Have had various box rest patients over past year from foal to husband's loony beast & this control halter makes life much safer for all. Sorry, didn't mean to lecture you and really hope this can be fixed quickly. Best wishes :)
 
Although its definitely worth investigating a physical cause, it could just be mental. She sounds agrophobic, & something could have happened to make her feel more vulnerable. Such as being pushed down the pecking order, a new horse, idiots in the field, advancing age & her realising herself she's not as quick/ agile as before etc. Whilst waiting for blood tests I'd try & arrange a smaller paddock with higher dense hedges on 2 sides. And what company is she with? Ideally she could do with a companion she can trust to watch her back as it were. Rather than say just a youngster she'll have to mind, or one that will push her about she'll have to watch.
 
I did think about the " corral' pens they use, but she has been with me all last summer on 24hr turnout and grazed all over the 12 acre field ?? But did still luv her corner
She goes out in a winter paddock with our 12 .2 pony
Or any others who she knows
She has always been the boss and still is !
So I really am confused, stressed
Bit bloody frightened if I'm honest
Wen I get her in!!
Goes out like a donkey
Gallops to a corner
And comes in like a crazy mad horse! As soon as her hooves get to the yard she a sweetie again
Think I will have to bear it till summer just turning her out 4 couple of hours every other day :(
Anyway thank u all x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top