Random rage in gelding

[SCI]

Could be something like a pinched nerve or kissing spine. When he does something that causes pain his reaction is to get aggressive.

[skydy]

@myalter1

I have a 10 year old warmblood who has stopped showing for a bit. I’ve owned him three years. When I bought he he was being given depo and we continued until last October when the safety of administration became and issue. Since then he is (obviously) less quiet, tougher to ride. But he also randomly will exhibit explosive rage in the field wi th his pasture mates - chasing them with the whites of his eyes showing, resulting in him dripping with sweat and having to be brought in. This has happened randomly about three times in ten months. When he is brought in, he is visibly upset by his behavior and very worried. He is NOT an aggressive horse on the ground. He’s sweet, albeit a little pushy. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

Have you discussed his behavior with the vet yet? I agree with having some veterinary involvement. Perhaps scope for ulcers? Give him a good exam and evaluate for pain.
Until then, if it is possible, see if he is happier turned out by himself, that may be worth trying. Watch to see if he becomes worried during solo turnout. Good luck. :):yes:

[vxf111]

@SCI

Could be something like a pinched nerve or kissing spine. When he does something that causes pain his reaction is to get aggressive.

I have a KS horse. It would surprise me that this is manifesting primarily on turnout… but I suppose it’s possible.

[skydy]

@skydy

Have you discussed his behavior with the vet yet? I agree with having some veterinary involvement. Perhaps scope for ulcers? Give him a good exam and evaluate for pain.
Until then, if it is possible, see if he is happier turned out by himself, that may be worth trying. Watch to see if he becomes worried during solo turnout. Good luck. :):yes:

Quoting myself due to “unapproved” when editing for punctuation.

[IPEsq]

Some horses are more dominant personalities and tend to be more “fight” than “flight” types. Some have strong opinions and appear to hold grudges. Others are more laid back and forgiving. I have a feeling that Depo would not have changed the Harrisburg behavior. I had a horse that benefited from Depo but it did not cure him of all tantrums and opinions. It did cut back on some hypervigilent and territorial behaviors. He was accident prone and went out individually but if anything was very sweet to other horses and the low man on the totem pole most of the time–easily pushed around. And he had normal T levels. I couldn’t figure out why he showed aggression at other times, but I think it was just a sympathetic nervous system thing with him. Anyway, it seems to me like this is a not very amateur friendly personality horse that can be difficult at times under saddle, but that behavior may not be linked to the turnout behavior–there’s probably some other trigger there you haven’t identified, and some horses just aren’t socialized well. I know one who just has to be in solo turnout forever because he can’t play nicely all the time. Including once when it was sort of close to feeding time and his pasture mate was getting caught for a ride–he attacked that horse and handler and bit the horse to pieces and chased him to the point the horse ran through the fence. While pasture mate could be caught fine at other times, this time, dominant horse thought he needed to get caught first. They have tried to pair him up with others but it just doesn’t work out. Just one example.