My once calm and laid back horse has turned unpredictably explosive. Calm and lovely one day, and explosive the next. How do I move forward from this when he has already put me in the ER?
Background:
10 months ago I welcomed a new horse into my life. Gorgeous and handsome WB gelding of everyones dreams. I knew when I acquired him that he was diagnosed with shivers, and was cleared by one of the best vets on the east coast for flatwork. I knew there was a link between the shivers and facet changes in C6/C7 in his neck. He showed no signs of shivers, and rads were taken to ensure the facet changes hadnât progressed over time (of course, I know a myelogram is the only guarantee way to confirm this). Vitamins E levels also taken, WNL. I took all the necessary precaution to make sure I was setting this horse up for success for a life of easy going flatwork. This horse has always been very laidback, and has a goofy personable, curious personality. I noticed he was dropping weight at the facility he was at, so I moved him. His personality stayed the same and he gained the weight back quickly. A few months later, I moved out of state. He followed behind shortly. Since being at the new barn, his physical condition has improved dramatically. He looks phenomenal and seems really happy and relaxed. Riding him was a dream. He was quiet. He was soft. It was wonderful. (I would like to say that I am a very experienced, soft, and calm rider.) Until suddenly he wasnât.
He exploded one day under saddle. Took off bolting and bucking, which put me in the hospital. I ended up having to have surgery on my arm. I am so lucky I didnât break anything else. Honestly, I contributed it to being in a new place and feeling the best heâs felt in a long time. Every time I would hand walk him in the indoor when I couldnât ride he was on the verge of exploding. Again. While I was out of commission the trainer was riding him 2x/week. She said he was a little fresh at first, but has otherwise been very laidback and easy going. I thought I finally had my horse back.
Finally, I am cleared to get back on my horse. The first ride back was uneventful. We just walked and it was perfectly fine. A day later, I go to the barn and get him ready to ride again. I decided to lunge him beforehand. I am so glad I did. I put him on the lunge line and all he wanted to do was haul around, buck, and try and pull away from me. What I saw wasnât just a fresh, excited horse. It was 18hh of explosion. Any time I would put pressure on him he would threaten me. I canât say I have every been scared of a horse until now.
While he was acting like a clown I noticed a few subtle things. He was âwringingâ his LH when walk/trot. Toe dragging RH. Whenever he would buck or kick out it was always toward the right. Before he would take off bucking, his RH would jerk up. Pretty âclassicâ shivers IMO. My brain is telling me that something is hurting him. I am a firm believer that horses arenât acting out because they want to ruin our day. They are trying to communicate with us.
When he stands at his hay feeder he stands with his LH brought forward and inward, almost under his belly. To me that indicates discomfort in his hind end. He never acts explosive in his paddock.
I plan to have a vet do a neuro eval on him and repeat rads on C6/C7. Maybe Chiro and acupuncture would help? Do I test for EPM? PSSM? I am not going to ignore what heâs telling me. I know shivers is progressive, but I didnât think it would progress this much this fast.
I am trying to prepare myself for bad news. I know something is wrong. This horse is not aggressive or mean, but this behavior is outright dangerous. To me, that screams that there is something neurologic and painful going on.
Even if we are able to figure out whatâs going on, Iâm not sure I even want to ride this horse again. I certainly canât re-home a horse with this historical behavior. I guess I could retire him. He is only 9 though.I donât want him to live the remainder of his life uncomfortable and in pain.
Has anyone every been in a situation like this before? I suppose I am looking for advice and to hear about others experiences⊠I donât want to feel like I am giving up but there is only so much I can do, and Iâve already been put in the hospital once because of this horse.