Now what!? Ready to throw in the towel

[Critter]

Didn’t ride him before he came home…definitely should have in hindsight! I had planned to fly out there and life and work got in the way. And he was going so well and other riders were on him that I really thought we would be fine.

I did get a little walk yesterday after lunging for 30 minutes. He didn’t feel like an explosion was coming…at least until the wild turkey tried to enter the area and was clucking at the door. I decided to get off before that created drama (he went into giraffe mode). But we got a little bit of walk that seemed better.

Borrowed the Western saddle…um, he was actually worse on the lunge. He did these bunny hop style bucks for the first 10 laps on the lunge…not bronc bucking, but bucking without the kicking out behind almost every stride. And then they randomly continued throughout the lunge session. So definitely not better with the saddle switch…I would say he lunged better in the dressage saddle.

@RhythmNCruise climate is pretty similar…temps have been about the same, humidity about the same. Hay is just a timothy grass mix at both places…but he’s pretty much just been out on grass.

The person I borrowed the saddle from (long time local with high quality QH/Paint horses and a breeding program) agreed that there isn’t much for training options in the area for young or quirky horses. She sends hers out to Ohio.

Talked to my vet at length last night…we are going to try some trazodone to see if it will just help him chill a bit and so I can stay a bit safer as we try to work through this.

[Pezanos]

My money is on renewed ulcer activity. I feel like horses don’t do well on long-term omeprazole and sometimes get worse, especially if there are squamous ulcers. But a long trip combined with a drastic change in personality always makes me think stomach.

[Critter]

Well, good news is the trazodone definitely helped! On a low dose…gave him a dose last night and this morning and rode late morning (after I rode my mare). He was quieter overall - not fussy when I went to put the saddle on. I did lunge him…he did try to stop, when I sent him forward he let out several crowhops/bucks and a few squeals. But he settled on the lunge much faster. I was then able to get on and walk several laps both ways around the arena without him balking or feeling like he might explode. So, I will take that as a win! Kept it simple and made a big fuss over him at the end.

Still feel like he’s acting cold backed…so we will keep doing a short lunge for a bit. But, if I can get him through this transition and we can build a bit of trust, then the trazodone is worth it. After we get into a new routine, we can work on weaning off it. Will continue the full dose of omeprazole and sucralfate to make sure we’ve got the ulcer situation under control (we know he’s responded to this treatment plan twice before).

[candyappy]

@Critter

I was then able to get on and walk several laps both ways around the arena without him balking or feeling like he might explode. So, I will take that as a win! Kept it simple and made a big fuss over him at the end.

Still feel like he’s acting cold backed…so we will keep doing a short lunge for a bit. But, if I can get him through this transition and we can build a bit of trust, then the trazodone is worth it. After we get into a new routine, we can work on weaning off it. Will continue the full dose of omeprazole and sucralfate to make sure we’ve got the ulcer situation under control (we know he’s responded to this treatment plan twice before).

Great news! Sometimes baby steps are what we need when we are anxious/ a bit fearful. Make it a pleasant experience for both of you and build on that. Keep us updated . I for one am interested in your progress as I am starting back on my “difficult” youngster right now.

[Alterration]

@Critter

Tack is not the same as the trainer…she mostly rode Western but did ride once a week in a dressage saddle (that probably was less fitted to him than the one I am using). Bit is the same (eggbutt snaffle) and bridle is essentially the same style (she used an english bridle on him).

I know you tried a western saddle, but they have different fits too.

Having trainer come out and take a look is important. Girth tightness (or lack thereof), girth placement (given the rib), cinch type, where your leg hits him vs the trainer…I mean there are SO many variables here. A horse without any issues won’t complain about these things, but a horse with former issues definitely will.

Also - horses associate place with pain much more than we do. Horse gets smacked at the mounting block and now gets antsy? Move the mounting block, they may not find that as scary. We associate it with the thing - they are much more spacial oriented (doesn’t always happen - but sometimes it does).

Good luck!

[olim2005]

So I don’t have a horse like yours but I have 2 that share some of your horse’s behaviors.

Horse #1: Was launching riders and refused to be mounted. I got him because I felt bad. I hired a gentle cowboy who worked through the mounting. The riding. I stayed patient and did not ask for too much. Now that his health issues are under control you can put a beginner on him. He was in an accident and broke some ribs. He also has bad neck arthritis and Cushings.

Horse #2: Cold backed rescue. History of bucking. Ground work working to mounting then lots of half ons. Then half ons and quickly off until he felt good then just sit there. Letting him stand until he relaxed then off. Sometimes ending there, then later adding one step and ending. Building up and up. It really helped. For him he had thin soles, IR, EMS, and looks like he foundered on one foot. He is sound but those things matter. Can’t give him alfalfa or he ends up in another county.

It’s a lot of work. Get help and start experimenting. Good luck!

[olim2005]

I agree, a western saddle gives more spine clearance too.