welcome home anna! so great to hear from you again!
I’m back and here again asking for all your ideas and suggestions. It is about the new boy, Guido. He is rideable. He even jumps. Peter has been taking him out and about on our trails to ride. Fine if you remember that he is strong and he is nervous and he is spooky. We know it all. And start from that. So that’s OK.
But this afternoon he had spooked and jumped out of his guts when Peter started just to put braidle on.
Nice calm afternoon. Nothing was going on to spook him. He was tied on the leading rope to the bench - was standing still and enjoyed brushing, all was ok, until Peter took braidle over his head. He suddenly panicked, backed, then run away, dragging the bench behind him, jumped over electric fence (along with remaining part of wooden bench), buckle of leading rein broke so thankfully he got rid of the bench and then he calmed down instantly and just stood outside the electric fence with other horses and was waiting for us to get him and lead him back. All OK again, like nothing happened.
Peter put him back in pastures where he is in paddock along with Puika, led him around, played a bit - all was OK again.
Before he never reacted like that when you put the braidle on. He is a mystery for us. You know we do not have enough experience, so I’m asking for your ideas - just nervous? Or something more? Behavioral issues only or maybe something medical to check out?
Our trainer will come next week to check him out, and our vet after basic tests had not find anything medical so far.
He is much calmer already in comparison how he was at the beginning but still… He is not a horse for a hobby rider just now and we can not work out what’s wrong with him.
We know that he had never been abused and in general he is sweet, human loving pet horse. You call and he instantly runs to you, he loves cuddling and kisses, enjoys brushing, never had shown any aggression (neither horse or humans), does not kick, does not bite… But just is not 100% - lack of confidence is one major issue.
And he had been ridden by idiot - that is the other thing that we know - ridden hard, asked to do to much, he sweats in panic when Peter starts to ride, and calms only when he understands that nobody will ask him anything hard - then he even enjoys jumping - ears pricked, happy talk after each jump (Peter asks him jump only simple low jumps, nothing high or complicated).
He was suspected wobblers but our vet is sure that he has none of that. Yes, he sweats, but it is nervousness. But what could cause this nervousness? Do you have any ideas? Your experience and suggestions helped so much with Puika, maybe your ideas will help us again?
Some pictures will follow in a minute.
So here he goes to be brushed and saddled
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0905.jpg
and here back in field with Peter after escapade- calm and happy again
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0949.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0955.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0946.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0935.jpg
And here happy playing with Peter and Puika
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0921.jpg
And here some for Puika fans 
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0930.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0908.jpg
This is very pregnant Shella - by theory she must foal on 26th May. Probably she has a bit different ideas about that but anyway - I’m here and ready
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0960.jpg
Inka
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0913.jpg
Giva
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0914.jpg
And all three girls together
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/19-05-09/PICT0938.jpg
I just found this thread yesterday and read all 39 pages in one sitting! So this is my first time posting.
The way I read it is when he put the bridle on and took it off the horse spooked and this was abnormal.
First thing i thought of was eyes. Was it brighter or darker outside when you tacked up? Was Peter putting the bridle on from the angle as he usually does? I once had a gelding with a blind spot in one eye and i had to put the bridle on making sure my hands didn’t cross the blind spot or he’d worry. Another thought that crossed my mind was ears. If he had a splinter, or a bug bite, or anything really in one of his ears it may have caused some pain and he wsa reacting to the pain (or the expected pain) when Peter put the bridle on.
It is also very feasible that he was just having a goofy day.
Thank you! It was bright sunny afternoon, no wind and nobody was around - no dogs, cows, cars and so on. And I was not even taking pictures, so no reflection from the lens.
Ears and eyes… But then he would have issues about halter as well. When Peter put the halter back, Guido was calm and happy - no issues.
We are sitting and talking again and again. Peter says that this time he was more on front, not on usual side when he was putting braidle on, so maybe eyes could be a possibility. But he has no issues when we approach him from the front. Maybe we are just making mountains out of mole hills, but with Puika it worked - his bad behavior was based on health problem and since it had been sorted out he is a nice sweet horse. And this new horse … I just have a gut feeling that it must be something medical, not a mental problem.
Lord! He’s a biggun!
I have a fairly new horse who is very sensitive around his ears, not so much with a halter. More with a bridle. (He has some fungus in them, which is slowly healing.) What we’ve been doing is unhooking the strap that goes to the bit and bringing the headpiece up and over his ears so it doesn’t touch. Then we just slide the bit in and do up the strap up again. To do this, you have to stand to the side.
Also, Guido may associate the bridling with the bad treatment he had before. This may just be an issue of slow and steady conditioning. Could you set up some cross ties on your property? This will prevent him getting loose.
Wow…Guido is VERY nice! Lucky you…
Has he always been shy about the bridle, or did this pop out of the blue? Some horses are stinkers about putting the bridle on because they figure out it means work. The pulling back while tied is not too cool, either. If teaching to tie properly is not on your agenda, help Peter out when he bridles. Hold on to the lead rope and have him slip the bridle over the halter. It also helps to let the bridle down a few holes as it will be looser and easier to get over the ears quickly. Tighten it back up once the bridle is securely on Guido’s head. You may also want to bridle him over by the herd if that gives him some security.
Hang in there…horses are always trying to kill themselves!
Go Fish, the problem with him is - usually he is absolutely OK with bridle, it is not his problem. He arrived on March here and since then it was his first “Help! Bridle!” action.
Puika, for example, was different - he was bored and by his opinion, not letting bridle on was the great fun. When he had enough of playing, bridle suddenly went on without any troubles. At the beginning it took us 40 minutes and 2 people, to put bridle on, within 2 months - bridle went on instantly as Puika learned that bridle means more fun.
Guido normally let his bridle on without any problems, like a normal horse. THAT is a problem. He does a lot of things as normal riding horse must do and then - out of the blue - act crazy like I described today. And in 5 seconds he is calm again (by my opinion, if he would be a really spooky horse, running with a parts of a wooden bench hanging on the end of leading rope would be terrible and really spooky, bt he calmed in few seconds). This is very strange behavior that we can not work out.
He is not very big - 17,2 or 175 cm at withers. Normal size here - any horse under 16 h is called small here.
He may have some nerve pain in his neck when lifting it ?
Boy, that’s a tough one. I’d probably bridle him in a stall for the time being in case he tries to get away again.
It’s been my experience that horses that react like Guido have a very strong “flight” response to something they don’t like or they are frightened of. He has a strong urge to get away from what ever is bothering him and will “lose” his head for a moment. He may have had success with this behavior in the past and may possibly revert to it every time he’s stressed.
You are going to have to out think him…when working with Guido, plan ahead…don’t give him the opportunity to get away. Easier said than done, I know, but you guys have had a lot of sucess with problem horses…you CAN figure this out! :yes:
Here is video of Guido free jumping today - no issues at all on halter, ideal obedient horse (quality is another question, but that’s not my concern at present), lunging works just on voice, he does it all and is happy and keen. Like yesterday’s accident was a dream.
Anna- glad you guys are back…He is a nice looking horse. Wonder what happened with the bridle? hmmm…mystery.
How is everyone else doing in your brood? Puika, I always worry about him He was your first and he probably says I used to get all the attention but now I have to share…
And when is Shella due?
Any nice Spring pics?
Hi, ivy62!There are some pictures from yesterday on previous page. Puika, by my opinion, is happy as a little sand boy He enjoys company of other horses, freedom and had not had colicked at all. He loks really happy and acts like any good, well trained horse - days of biting and crazy behavior had gone. I’,m a bit worried how he will be around new foal, but I will worry when it will happen.
Shella is due May 26th (in theory) but in practice it looks like it will take more (and more of my nerves)
Today I went to visit Nelson (that gray horse) in his new house and… it is match made in heaven. Nelson is really happy, and new owners - ecstatic. He is loved, cared and probably will soon start his movie star career
I just found this thread and wow, Anna, you and Peter are quite simply amazing :D!
Catalina, thank you, personally I am sure that we are just mad, but again, there are moments worth all the troubles. Today was one of these moments - we went to visit our Nelson in his new home.
I’m so, so happy about him. Last autumn he had no chances - us or slaughtery. And look at him now
- we spotted him first in the field with a pony girl
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/20-05-09/PICT0965.jpg
Then he spotted us
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/20-05-09/PICT0969.jpg
And here he is with his new company greeting Peter
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/20-05-09/PICT0967.jpg
One really happy horse
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/20-05-09/PICT0973.jpg
Who could be dead
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/20-05-09/PICT0970.jpg
He has shoes on his front hoofs, and yesterday was the day when the girl was carefully riding him for the first time - he was so happy that even tried some of dressage elements to please the rider.
Of course, he will never jump again, and wild galloping also is not on agenda, but now he will have many more happy years with very loving, experienced family in company with 3 other horses.
He is a very happy horse again, there is a very happy family and we are very happy and proud about our first rescue that we adopted out. On the day like this all the past troubles seem so small and unimportant.
Oh, Anna, that is so sweet and welcome back!
I must also say that in looking at your latest pictures of Puika that he looks SO happy and relaxed. Such a change from when you first got him.
While I have no advice to offer on the new horse, I have some words of wisdom (or consolation) from a horse trainer that I know: “There are so many things that can go wrong with them, it’s a miracle any of them live at all!”
Here are some pictures of today - vet was here for the new boy’s test.
Here is our vet, trying him out
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1030.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1031.jpg
And here some with Peter
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1050.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1069.jpg
Naughty
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1065.jpg
And good again
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1071.jpg
Jump
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1082.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/23-05-09/PICT1081.jpg
Vet says that she can not feel any medical problems. Yes, when you start riding him, he has stiff back and is tense, but it must be just his past - problem riding, not a health problem horse. Trainer is coming on Wednesday, let’s see what opinion will be then. It would be great if Guidon would recover completely.
Hi Anna
Guido is gorgeous! I get the impression from reading your explanation of his background and behavior, and now the pictures, that he is very green (untrained). He sounds, to me, like a spoiled youngster testing his boundaries and trying hard not to have to work. I can’t recall his age, but keep in mind, a horse can be “green” and still be 10+ years old if he was not trained consistantly and correctly.
I imagine his last rider was a bit intimidated by him, based on you said he saw mistreated and Guido “spookiness” and head throwing. I think with patience and consistancy he will come around quite quickly.
The pictures with your vet riding he is using himself very nicely and listening. Peter should try to imitate this riding and reward him when he responds this way. If Guido spooks or raises his head, just ride quietly forward until he responds…anyway who am I to say?? :winkgrin:
Best of luck and I am very excited at the upcoming foal!!
Thank you. Guido is 8 this year so basically still quite young - that’s why we want to try.
Actually it does not feel like he tries to avoid a job or try boundaries. It is more complicated.
When you start him riding, he is stiff and tense, like he is scared HOW the ride will be. Peter is really gentle with horses, so spoiled would be the word, but it is not - he responds very well to the leg, rein movement just with little fingers, keen to work - does not refuses jumps and is instantly looking for the next one. Peter pats him and praises him all the time and he is very keen listen the voice - all in all he is sweet, good tempered horse.
Hello Anna, so glad you are back on line. I was getting worried there for a while.
Right now, I am on your side of the pond too (France) for another few days!!
I am amazed that your vet rides your horses. I have never heard of the vet doing this here… I cannot imagine my vet getting on my mare… and he has 5 horses!
You know, sometimes I think your approach is the right one. I mean that you don’t have that much experience so you take the time to see a behaviour, try to understand it and do some research…rather than use a method that you are used to… your common sense is amazing!
I was very happy to see Peter riding again. I wish I had his gusto!!!
Good luck with all your 4 legged friends.
