Another New Horse - It's Bo!

[Heinz_57]

@findeight

As he gets healthier and more in shape, you might get a bit of attitude so don’t be too surprised.

Yes, he is generally level-headed and sensible, when he’s got extra energy he just zips around at the canter and maybe does a few head flings like the one in the video. He’s definitely not the one out there bucking and rearing (like my youngster) on the line.

@jvanrens nice screen grab! He looks like a chunk there

OK, COTH minds. As funny as this video may seem, I had to put a blanket on him tonight because of the coming weather. He IS extra grumpy today (biting the air in my direction for touching the injection site), so this is a bit over the top of his normal grumpy blanket reaction - usually once it’s on him he’s fine - but you get the idea of how he feels about it. Thoughts on why he’s so sharky about blanketing? I am not doing anything crazy in the video, just shifting the blanket slightly.

20230127_165003

I was able to schedule a concurrent vet appointment along with the dentist, so he will be getting a full once-over and blood drawn for an updated CBC/chem panel as well.

[atr]

My feeling would be that he’s been subjected to some ill fitting tack and rough girthing in his life, and any kind of action back there makes him defensive.

I did have one that I wouldn’t do blanket stuff, or actually pretty much anything, for unless he was at least wearing a halter and lead, and preferably tied up. He’d had a dubious start in life and was very guarded about humans on the ground.

When I had to board him, briefly, I told the barn manager repeatedly not to just swing into his stall and throw a blanket on him (and various other 'not to’s" like allowing kids to handle him) and was ignored. Guess who was all suprised and mad at me when he swung round and bit her?

[Heinz_57]

That’s a good point about ill fitting tack, I didn’t think of that.

[hoopoe]

I agree with atr, there is likely some bad memories in there.

I am sure your horsemanship will be tested, but you have the tools

[UrbanHennery]

How does the blanket fit across the withers? My QH has a real preference for a high neck blanket over any other type. He can get snarky if he doesn’t like the fit in that area.

[Heinz_57]

It sits well in front of the withers and has fleece, but his withers are so prominent currently that all blankets rest on them slightly. He gives similar reactions to the attached neck blankets (including the no fill very light sheet), but I don’t have any high necks in my collection.

[lenapesadie]

He’s certainly opinionated! Cute though. The prior history with poorly fitting tack theory makes sense to me. My old tb came with some similar behavior and scars from saddle sores on his withers. My guy has quit that for the vast majority but I’ve had him two years so it may naturally subside over time. I really like my WeatherBeeta blanket with the memory foam pads at the withers on him.

[findeight]

Try a blanket with slick lining or no lining. Fleece, synthetic or natural, adds weight and can cause friction rubbing against the hair. IME. Some horses are just uncomfortable with fleece or a fabric like wool next to the skin.

Wouldn’t surprise me if he turns out to be on the girthy side when he starts working regularly. Might not see it now with only occasional application of any tack but once in regular work, it might show up.

Also, he could have been subject to years of the “slap it on and crank it tight” theory of tacking up practiced by JAW cowboys. Not something most horses look forward to. You can work that out with them but not in 8 weeks.

[skydy]

My thoughts went to pressure on his withers as well. Is he touchy when you press on his withers (without the blanket on?) His lack of topline muscle may contribute to the blanket putting excess pressure on the withers.

[Heinz_57]

@findeight

Try a blanket with slick lining or no lining.

That was my first thought, but he does it with everything. Even a cooler.

@skydy he’s not sensitive about his withers being touched. Once or twice he has made a face when I’ve touched him near the girth area (no blankets involved) but it’s not a frequent/common thing.

[skydy]

I’d bet then, that @atr and @findeight are right in thinking he’s had some bad experiences with tack in the past.

He looks like he’s trying to be good (by not actually biting you) but that he can’t help his reaction.

I must say, for a horse I’ve only seen in photos and video, I just love him.

Kudos @Heinz_57 , you’re such a good person. How lucky for both of you that you came together.

[skydy]

It is interesting to note that his bitey face when being blanketed wasn’t relegated to the near side. He seemed to go with the anxiety to his off side as well. Interesting.

What a good horse. He’s doing his best and he’s obviously been through hell.

Now he has the no stress home that he has earned, I’m sure I’ll not be alone in hoping for a good vet report, for your sake as well as his.

[Heinz_57]

Thank you! He is a neat guy, and I’m looking forward to exploring what kind of training is locked away in that brain of his. Barring some other issue cropping up, once his mouth is sorted out I think he’s ready to go to work. I just need to sort out a nice fluffy pad/saddle fit situation and cross my fingers that I have a girth in his size He’s been able to share pretty much everything with Elmo so far.

[cayuse]

I have a mini the does this with the blanket, both off and near sides and when having the leg straps done up. We’ve tried everything to solve to problem but it seems to be ingrained at this point. There has been some improvement but for the most part he “is what he is”. He is also girthy, so I imagine he had an “experience” with that somewhere along the line… He loves his blanket and dives right into it, and is wonderful to drive, just very defensive and opinionated about the attachment of it all.

[Displaced_Yankee]

++checks calendar++ Yep, it’s Monday.

[JBCool]

Me, too!

[Heinz_57]

You’re right! I almost forgot (been one of those days!).

Unfortunately, it’s 35° and rainy/windy, with a feels like of 28°… I’m not pulling blankets today, I can hardly stand to be out there for long enough to feed. Might have to be a Tuesday update this week although tomorrow’s weather doesn’t look any better. Could be Wednesday at the vet’s. I will at least grab a picture of his jolly molting face when I go feed first dinner Ian about an hour.

In the meantime, here’s a picture of his odd bald belly spot that makes me think he has had problems with sweet itch or some other allergy in the past - we’ll have to wait and see if hair grows back with the summer coat:

His appetite has thankfully returned and he galloped up to breakfast this AM so I’d say he’s no longer feeling punky!

[hoopoe]

Include old ringworm as well. It takes advantage of the immune stressed ( starvation counts) horse

will await patiently for his glamor shots

[Horse_Daft]

@skydy

I must say, for a horse I’ve only seen in photos and video, I just love him.

Me too! I don’t know why, just a gut feeling.

[Heinz_57]

Prepare to be dazzled. He looks especially dashing today, despite the rain and mud.

Judgmental Looks: I’m pretty sure he’s still mad I electrified his gate.

His molting patches have a distinct pink baby hair growth

Why must you constantly take my picture?

Pay Attention to MEEEE…

Shortly thereafter, I dumped his dinner and he was more interested in me paying attention to him, even followed me back to the gate after I was done rubbing his itchy throat. He keeps trying to tell me SOMETHING, and I haven’t quite figured out what it is yet. Maybe he’s just itchy with all that shedding hair.