I bought a new horse over two months ago and also off video. On arrival felt he needed more weight so planed to wait until his back was filled in and looking healthy and ready for weight. Was told he would clip, bathe, load etc. Was not relaxed for any of that. Didnât want to pick up feet. Walked away for grooming. Slight nips when I ran my hands over him. Also noticed he ONLY walked and on the RARE occasion he trotted/cantered always went into a bucking spree.
Start to get that gut feeling something is wrong and donât want a pasture ornament. Itâs stressful.
Was told teeth had just been done and seller sent vet report confirming - notes from vet were "no sharp points, no ulcerations, no issues. Also told heâd been dewormed. He wasnât gaining weight like I felt he should.
Decided to start ticking off boxes to confirm health. Hauled him to my dental vet and found horrible sharp points, an infected tooth and wave mouth. It was all so apparent the minute we looked in with the headlamp and speculum. During dental sheath was cleaned and found three huge nasty beans.
Next took in a FEC (fecal ball for worm count) and found a gram count of 2100! 500 is considered high for those of you not yet doing those. Dewormed w ivermectin and in 24 hrs he broke out into body hives and began rubbing his body everywhere. Hives went away in 48 hrs.
Also decided to scope for ulcers and shocked to find NONE but did find a bot egg attached in his stomach - this was 7 days after deworming.
Also started noticing trotting and cantering and not ONE buck. Now out zooming around my pasture like a normal horse.
In the meantime heâs no longer afraid of the clippers, bathing, picking up feet, fly spraying, trailer loading all down with relaxation. He runs up to me in the pasture.
I know itâs hard but youâve got to go Columbo and know this new horse of yours might be a horse of a lifetime but youâve got to figure out what is wrong. Create trust. Take it slow. Make sure you have relaxation on all ground work before getting on. Confirm you have a healthy, muscled gorgeous back before you plan to ride on it.
Hope our story inspires you and I know how it is to get a horse that isnât right. Iâve had this happen with three other horses over the years. Nothing is so satisfying as figuring out what is wrong and solving it. Clearly this horse needs your help. You can do it. Start ticking off boxes.