I get so many horse health questions mailed in, I thought I’d better do something about.
(Please bear with me if you’ve mailed me and not got a reply yet, I get so many mails.)
So I thought I’d start with just 4 questions that I think would be useful to most – or rather your comments and answers will be useful to most!
Please do let us all know your thoughts. Here we go:
“Hi I really enjoy your site, I am learning a lot as a first time horse owner. I have an odd question, what are “tail pulls”? I spoke with Su Burnett, a horse psychic – she is very good – and she said my horse Jace wanted “tail pulls”. I have been tentatively tugging on his tail but he does not seem at all impressed, is there a “right” way to do tail pulls???Thank you.
Sandi”
Horse health questions
“Hi all, I’ve had my 17 year old horse since august of 2014. We have come a long way in the trust department, and most of the time I can figure out what kind of a mood he is in. This morning while picking up his poo, he was cleaning up around his grain bowl and he decided to come check out what I was doing. I was ok with that but he came up pretty fast and it unnerved me. Instead of trying to pet him, I got nervous and put the rake between us. He stood there looking at me like whats wrong with you. My question is……was he being aggressive or was he just wanting some attention. He did not have his ears back but he has bitten me in the past. Am I being too over sensitive?
Debbie”
Horse health questions
“Hi. I am having an issue with my horses becoming herd bound after being off work for a while. I am building a round pen and was wondering is it better to separate them for short periods of time at the start then gradually extend or for a longer period of time right off the bat and work with join up etc. before returning to the others.
Thanks
Sharon”
Horse health questions
“Hello
I need advice on how to slow my fast thinking fast running thoroughbred to a reasonable pace. He goes so fast throws all his might into everything…
I try half halts….quiet hands and body…the first canter will be fabulous ….then the battle begins….big blasting powerful trot into belting canter….and changes behind….if I ask him to listen and settle the pace…!!!
Dawn”
Can any of you help Dawn, Sharon, Debbi or Sandy with thier horse health questions? I’m sure you can.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And don’t forget the only way you can see all the posts on the blog is by jumping on the newsletter.
Best
I know how the horse feel painful I love u, Dawn
Maybe the horse psychic is wrong.
DD Everything else she said was spot-on and I am a real skeptic, not a hopeful naieve person.
Sandi I’d ask her again. Does she mean something cosmetic or structural?
The tail work done by TTEAM people, can really set up wonderful flexiblity and feelings of comfort and the endorphins that we may get from stretching. Look on line for tail work and Linda Tellington Jones.
Thank you, I think you may have exactly answered my question, I will look both up right now.
Sandi
Debbie, He was most likely curious about what you were doing. Is this the only horse in your coral? If he scared you then using the rack as a tool to stop him is showing good instinct on your part. However, being nervous or scared around horses is dangerous. It is always smart to respect a 1200# animal. But when people are afraid they make mistakes and get hurt. Until you feel more comfortable around your horse it may be a good idea to tie him up or put him in a different coral while you are cleaning the padoch.
Thanks Randy, I think you are right, he was just curious. I have found him to be quite enjoyable when it’s one on one with him. On the ocassions he has bitten is when there is someone else fooling around him at the same time. I think I need to be totally vigilant around him at all times. Even when he has an itch and bites himself I cringe. I don’t think he realizes how hard he bites 🙁 I must say I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world!!!! am totally in love 🙂
Shanon, your instincts are good startout for a short time then move it up. However it is a good idea to separate them fare enough that they can’t hear each other. Knowing they are within earshot of each other isn’t doing much.
just remember you are trying to teach them something stressing them out isn’t doing them any good.
Tail pulling in England means thinning the hair at the top of a horse’s tail by pulling out a few strands at a time, until the top part of the tail is narrower than the bottom part. Same as pulling a mane. Not recommended unless you have a horse that does not kick.
Oh I do not think he would like that….I think his tail is fine “au naturel”, looks like I need to research this more. Thank you for writing.
I have just remembered that people who do certain types of manipulation for horses with joint or back problems do in fact pull on horse’s tails. But this needs to be done by someone with the right training.
Dawn your thoroughbred sounds a bit dangerous. I think you need to cut all grains and molasses from his feed to just grass chaff with warm water and a mineral vitamin balancer, add a heaped teaspoon of Magnesium Oxide per feed, which acts as a calmer, also add a little groud rock salt. Micronised Linseed and Brewers yeast are also great for his coat. To make it palatable also add dried mint. If he is stuck in a stable all day he will be more inclined to bolt when given some freedom. Horses should live oiutside as much as possible. They also need company.
Dawn, lots and lots of transition work. As soon as the speed starts , trans down and back up when calm, a hundred in a training session is ok
Sandi, tail pulling is where the hair on the base of the tail of dock is pulled or trimmed so it is nice and short for the top three quarters or so. Its usually seen in the showing ring, you can getting combs to help you do this , see it on you tube.
has your TB been raced and if so how long ago? Race Horse’s are only trained for the job so they are Not taught Whoa or anything other than fast break’s from gates or how to build to speed if they are running in races like Belmont, If he is still Hot from the track environment you will just need to be patient and start with the basics, he needs to know and relearn that it’s not a timed event it’s not a job any more it’s just about you and him and a slower life than he’s probably ever had. If he enjoyed the job you may need to find him something more challenging like dressage to keep his mind focused Horses get bored too. Keep it fun for you both no pressure it will take as long as it takes don’t expect and make deadlines that you don’t need to. It’s all just fun and bonding time no “Have to or you fail” forget that kind of thinking. ease up on yourself and you will ease up on him and the next thing you know you are a real team. Lot’s of LOVE to you Both 😀
Answer for Dawn and the fast TB:
Hello Dawn, I’ll try to give you some advice eve nthough we miss some context here like are you riding inside, outside, on a trail? Is you horse an EX racetrack TB? To change this habit of running fast is a long term process and implies different aspects.
Environment: check if he doesn’t get too much grain for the amount of exercise he really does (people tend to feed their horses, cats and dogs, and self too much!). Keep him outside in a large space so he can experience galloping fast free whenever he wants, without you on his back, so he’ll not getting so excited about it.
Ground work: Make him gallop free by himself in a large space (100 x 200 feet riding ring) right before riding him (but I guess you already do that). Horse kept inside and exercised only with a lunge or under saddle tend to feel restrained. Horses need to feel really free sometimes. With the lunge, in a round pen, show him the words: ‘’walk, trot, canter’’, so he understands your demands without you having to pull too much in his mouth: show him also the words ‘’easy trot’’ an ‘’easy canter’’ (different speeds). Horse can learn a lot of words. Find a ‘’rewarding expression’’ like ‘’good boy’’) so in any situation, the horse knows he did good. You can teach him ”no” for when he id not doing the right thing, when didn’t give you ”the right answer”. They are very intelligent and learn fast what ”no” means (very usefull in many situations). Ground work also helps to establish your leadership, which is often the main problem.
Under saddle: Use your ‘’vocal commands’’, try not to pull too much in his mouth (loose reins) when he keeps the speed you asked him, let him carry himself. Let him understand he gets a reward (no pulling in his mouth) for keeping the speed you asked. Sometimes pain from the bit makes the horse nervous and just wanting to escape this pain by speeding up. Also, racehorses are trained to go full gallop when the jockey is hanging in the reins. This is a reprogramming you will maybe have to do.
Emergency: Learn to use the ‘’One-Rein-Stop’’ for emergency stopping and also for slowing him down when he increases speed when you didn’t ask him. Make very small figure 8 if he accelerates (teaching him this at the walk and trot first of course), let him slow down by himself by pulling only one rein at the time, not both. Make the good thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
Please no hitting on biteing.been around horses for 60 years.had a rescue whoe kicked me and bit me . He waited for the punishment. When none came he seemed confused as in his 5 years of life thats all he had known. Because I only ever gave him my trust he soongave me his totally.i lost him after 14 years and lost o e of my very best friends a d still miss him.so please treat horses witb the same respect we expect.from them. Maggie .s.i.h
Hi Al,
What is that horse feeling? Looks like he has both rear hooves on the ground so he is not in that ‘resting mood’ , but he seems relaxed – his bottom lip is relaxed and open.
I think he is tongue playing after a yawn.
My 18 month Qarab gelding comes up for affection, a yawn and sticks his tongue out for me to lightly tug on.He puts his tongue out several times and I don’t have to quickly grab it,so I assume he likes the tug.
Hi Dawn
Have you tried looking at his feed? Grains, oats and lupins can give a horse far too much energy and subsequently make him difficult to ride. Try him on plain hay for a week ( he won’t be impressed and will march around looking for ” real food”) but you might find that he’s a different horse to ride. From there you can adjust what you feed him and give him less if he starts to pull again. Sounds basic, I know but it certainly works for mine! All the best, Ruth
I have a question.
I have a nine year old that was green broke at age seven he is a sweet heart but very jumpy does anyone know how is the best way to get him out of this I beleave he has some arybi.in him an walking
Hmmm Sandi, Does your horse have a problem that he needs a psychic? We used to thin the tails out of our show quarter horses and even leave blood spots
where hair follicle capillaries were injured. I gotta tell ya that I don’t think he is going to think that’s a swell thing to do. I’m not sure of the psychics rationale and I don’t slam those who seek it out or do it but I’m a person who believes if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Maybe you might want her to expand upon her suggestion.
Thank you Candice, I was asking what he *liked* because some days his favourite scratchy spots change. I will be looking up more on her suggestion.
😉 Alister, do you know about the Borraq loose ring snaffle, I`m trying to get hold of one for a 13.1h pony ?
Dawn, I suggest you do a lot more ground work with your horse before you even consider getting on him. Only when you feel he is well under control is it wise to get on him. I absolutely agree about getting your horse out in the field to let off steam as much as possible. Many horses become maniacs if cooped up in a stable but soon become manageable if they can get out.
I have grabbed a hand full of tail hair and leaned way back which forced the horse to stretch his spine some for balance. But, we pulled a tail with a charp knife run through an unbrushed tail. When you run a sharp knife in the direction of the growth, it ends up shortening the tail some without it appearing that the tail was even cut. It looks natural, just shorter. My stallion and one of my fillies need their tails pulled now.
OMG! Annabelle what kind of crap are you telling Dawn about TBs? Apparently, you have never had one! You know nothing about this horse and you call it dangerous!!! How long has it been off the track? Dawn, I have 7 OTTBs and will be happy to help you. E-mail me! There is nothing a TB can’t or won’t do for you . All you have to do is know HOW to reprogram them. They are fantastic loving, caring, athletic animals. I am 67 and will never ride anything but a OTTB.
Nancy Atkinson I am also 66 and I own and ride a 17 hand thoroughbred ex race horse. I only said Dawn’s horse sounds a bit dangerous and went on to advise a reduction in hard feeds and sugars. I also used to ride out on racehorses in my youth. So I think your comment is both unkind and thoughtless.
Nancy I think that’s a little harse!she was giving information based on what she was told. And rightfully so. Horses of all breeds respond to different feeds and having a Hot OTT I have to say when he was on a lot of sugar based feed he could be very dangerous. I understand what you are saying but I think it may have been taken personally. ☺
Dawn have you tried the one rein stop. If he is getting fast (but before he is bolting) just take up pressure on one rein. He will move in a circle and eventually stop. If you are very consistent, and do it before he gets fast,he will learn that every time he gets fast you stop him this way and he will eventually become steadier. Half halting with both reins often does not work with thoroughbreds that have raced.
🙂 Debbie: In my opinion you are being to sensitive. If he looks happy he is not going to be aggressive. I would say he is curious of what you are doing. I would be careful with the rake so the trust is still there. sincerely siwan
Hi Siw, you are right also, but after being bite on 3 different ocassions by this horse just has me a little jammed up. I think I am finally learning his language. I refuse to use fear and intimidation like so many horse people use. I believe this guy was abused before I got him. He is trusting me more every day. He has also taught me a lot about myself 🙂 thanks for responding.
Wondering about a horse that uses backing up as a way of protesting or avoidance. I just push back on him, my shoulder into his chest, making him back up until he stands still willingly.
Also I have a friend who’s horse occasionally flips over backwards with a rider on her back. They think she was trained roughly as a youngster with a bit in her mouth. The new owners are using a hackamore and this seems to be better for the horse. She seems to lose her mind when she cannot get the bit over her tongue and does the flipping thing. Could get someone killed doing that.
Sandi, the tail pulls I’m familiar with are used as passive stretches for the trunk and loin extensors of the horse. They do seem to enjoy them and will stretch their trunk and neck in the opposite direction of the tail pull creating traction to the whole vertebral column. The person doing the stretching grasps the horse’s tail with both hands gently circles it in both direction to relax the tail and then uses their body weight to apply gentle pressure for two minutes and then the tail is slowly released. If the horse acts uncomfortable the tail pull should be discontinued.
Debbie, if your horse’s ears weren’t flattened against his head, it’s doubtful he was being aggressive. Horses are very curious. I use their curiosity when catching a horse that doesn’t want to be caught by pretending to be looking at and picking up things on the ground. The horse will come over to see what I’m doing and I give him a treat and get him haltered.
Sharon, separation anxiety is a complex issue. Horses are after naturally herd animals and they feel safe within a herd. Check out the following website and put in herd bound and you will get a lot of helpful information on the topic. You will probably have to sign up but it is free. http://www.thehorse.com/
Dawn, if you have an off the track thoroughbred, the behavior you describe is typical. If you don’t have experience with rehabbing OTTBs it would be safest for you and your horse if you seek help from someone with that experience or at least read up on the subject since there are a number of books available. I wouldn’t advise just reading if you aren’t experienced in schooling horses at all.
Hi there:
My horse will not keep her hoof up so we cab trim them what should I do ,I have been trying to work with her .by picking them up occasionally whenever i’m with her.
Re: OTTB
Hi there
I have a 16.3 OTTB and every now and then he will get a bit above himself when we are out cantering (we have access to rides at a training track so the memories are right there for him), I started with ground work, WAIT is always used to get him to stand where I want him while I tack up or turn away from him for any reason. UhUh is his word if I feel he is distracted or I need to correct anything. Work with your verbal commands in conjunction with the correct aids at the walk and trot first.
Now, before cantering at the track if I feel him starting to wind-up I use Wait, after we are cantering I use UHUH to get his attention on me and indicate that he is not doing as I asked/going at the pace I set. Horses are very responsive to verbal commands once they know exactly what you mean by them.
Positive re-inforcement iro of contact with the reins as in previous comments. Also, if he is running NEVER go into light seat, sit up and half halt constantly until he comes back to you.
Keep working at your canters in short bursts (100 meters) then back to walk or trot, then canter again. These clever TB’s learn quickly and cantering will become a pleasure. PS: I recommend you canter where you have a long safe area to pull up in whilst you are both learning control.
@Sandi,
I can’t imagine your horse wanting his tail hair pulled out unless there’s some type of infestationn bothering him… but I do think of how my 17h gelding absolutely loves a good body rub down starting at his head working his neck, shoulders back hips and upper leg muscles to end right up under his tail and between his back legs (he would actually spread his hind legs to make sure I got ‘in there’ to his high rear muscles) and I would take his tail bone, grab it securely with both hands and gently roll back onto my heels using all of my weight – he would be so relaxed at this point and without fail he would deep breath, lean forward against my pull lowering his nose to the ground often stretching his back to where I could hear him self align his spine.
This never did any damage and he does not have any structural issues whatsoever – he just likes it.
I do this at lest 3x a week to some extent and he lets me know when I groom him how far to go. After a good trail ride and a bath this is how I put him away – no complaints!
Connie, use a soft cotton rope around the hock to hold up the hoof. Start with short increments, lengthening time as she allows. Slowly hold it up longer and longer. Try to anticipate her wanting to put her foot down and ease it down before she jerks away. Then pick it right back up again. Do this with all 4 feet. 2 or 3 times around each session. Give her positive reinforcements, pats on her hip, words like, good girl, or even treats given by a helper holding her head.
Dawn, take the OTTB off all grain and only feed hay and low carb pellets. NO corn, NO sweet feed. If he is hard to keep weight on give him extra fat, as in ground flax seed. Then ride and ride and ride at a walk and a trot, like hours and hours on trail. Slowly canter for short spells only going away from the barn. if he tries to go faster walking back, circle him or reverse away from the barn until he walks. When he starts to get fast, make him walk by circling if he is getting out of hand.
If he is fighting you try a bosal. It might be the bit he is trying to get away from. The more you pull the faster he wants to go. This all worked for me with my OTTB.
He learned he didn’t have to run fast and could enjoy an easy canter. BUT, he always had lots of energy when I would first try to work him so…. 30 minutes of play in the arena, him chasing around like a crazy wild horse always wore him out a little before I rode. I had a dog that would help me exercise him by the tow of them chasing and playing. I also taught him to free lunge, but, I did that in a large arena, not a round pen.
My mare is extremly afraid to pick up her hind feet . Although her left stifle is bad she can lounge just fine. It only locks up when she gets statted. But why is she so terrible about picking up her rear feet . I have been working everyday with a calm trust for 3 months and she still had to be sedated .. pls help ..she is a very sweet and calm about every thing else..i can do anything with her and no prblems, except her rear feet…
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My horse bucks when I least expect it. She can be working well, and then, out of the blue, whammo! My usual reaction is to work her hard from the ground and wait until she softens and willingly submits, then I get back on board and have another go. However, my gut feeling is that she is resentful of work and sees it as an easy out, but it never ends up easy for her, as she gets worked even harder when the bucking occurs. She has tried other methods of avoiding work like, dropping to the ground when being saddled, rearing and reversing when under saddle etc. Some advice from other people who have had this problem would be appreciated. By the way, she is an alpha mare, so I need to be dominant at all times with her. My methods are kind and I follow the training of natural horsemanship, but I just don’t seem to be able to get this resentment out of her. I use pressure and release and reward at all times, Help !!