Comments on: Horse health questions

By: Judi

Judi — Mon, 25 May 2015 07:38:43 +0000

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 !!

By: Debbie Squires

Debbie Squires — Mon, 18 May 2015 20:09:12 +0000

In reply to siw milden. 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.

By: Debbie Squires

Debbie Squires — Mon, 18 May 2015 19:55:04 +0000

In reply to Randy. 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 :)

By: whoe!!!! girl

whoe!!!! girl — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:36:33 +0000

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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By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 12 May 2015 18:40:06 +0000

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.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 12 May 2015 18:29:01 +0000

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.

By: MaryB

MaryB — Sun, 10 May 2015 19:52:06 +0000

@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!

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 04 May 2015 07:29:13 +0000

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.

By: connie

connie — Sun, 03 May 2015 11:41:41 +0000

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.

By: Ray

Ray — Sun, 03 May 2015 11:35:38 +0000

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.