Saddle fit! If you are not an experienced owner or saddle guru then it’s easy to think you have a fitting saddle but in all reality it’s not fitting. I had a horse go from easy to spook backwards, sideways and bolt in a matter of weeks. Only because I went from riding a few times a week for short rides to long rides, it really brought out the problem.
Saddle fit can definitely change over time, especially if your horse gets fitter (gains muscle), fatter or thinner. If you post some photos people here can eyeball it.
Ulcers could also be an issue and is worth discussing with a vet.
However, getting a new buddy can also cause this behavior. We got a new mare at our barn a week ago and my gelding started getting balky when I asked him to leave the barn. He’s done this before when we’ve had a new horse come in – he’s the alpha gelding and when herd dynamics change, he wants to secure his top spot.
I’ve had to coax him through this the last two rides and have resorted to carrying a stick and wearing tiny spurs for encouragement. Sometimes you can wait it out and then just keep encouraging him forward. You can also dismount, lead him forward and then remount. Growling at a horse can sometimes do wonders, too :)/
Try not to let him get the idea that he can call the shots without creating a full scale battle. You don’t want to scare yourself or get into something where you “lose”.
Good luck!
When mine started to bite during tacking up, it was the saddle. Got him one that doesn’t pinch and he’s his happy self again. His way of going has improved too.
