Horse Talk

[chicken19]

I don't know much about it, but she may be pregnant???
Also, you may work her in the round pen too much. She may be trying to tell you she doesn't like working in the small space.

Especially if she's older, I worry about her joints being sore. Working her in the round pen everytime you ride may make her bored and hurting, so I don't recommend that.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

You're welcome and sorry if it sounded mean or amything, i wasnt sure, but hmm, yeah since you just had the vet out i can definitely understand why you wouldn't want to have him out again. I would definitely see what the farrier thinks first. 16 does seem a bit young but you never know. I would see what he thinks. Could it be that she ate something bad? Or you could be right, could be the heat and refusing to work. But it sounds to me like a health issue. I would see what the farrier thinks and if he can't tell then see what the vet says if it's not better by then

No, you didn't sound mean at all. I dont think she could have ate anything bad. She only gets hay cubes, salt and a vitamin supplement, no pasture. I'll just take it easy on her untill the farrier comes and see if he thinks a vet is necessary. Thanks for your help

 

[chickluvinfreak]

I don't know much about it, but she may be pregnant???
Also, you may work her in the round pen too much. She may be trying to tell you she doesn't like working in the small space.

Especially if she's older, I worry about her joints being sore. Working her in the round pen everytime you ride may make her bored and hurting, so I don't recommend that.

I doubt she's pregnant because she's the only horse I have and none of my immediate neighbors own horses. But it is wierd you say that because the reason the vet came out a few weeks ago is because she was lactating. The vet said her hormones were out of wack and the milk eventually dried up on its own. But it would be impossible for her to be pregnant. I do worry her age is causing her pain when lunging. But I lunge because I don't ride in the summer and she needs exercise. And if I don't lunge and try to ride or take her for a walk she acts very hot headed. She has pulled the lead rope from my hand, dragged me, kicked, ran into me and bucked. So I have a fear of working with her without first lunging. That's what the problem is, her attitude in and out out the round pen is opposite. Could be she ignores the pain because she's glad to leave the round pen or it just doesn't hurt when shes not going in a circle anymore. Or bad behavior, I really don't know. I'm going to have the farrier look at her lunging after he trims her feet and see if he thinks the vet needs to come out. Thank you for your reply

 

[abigalerose]

Generally it's younger horses who have pain in the round pen becuase their joints are devolving, with her being 16 I wouldn't worry as much, unless she does have arthritis. It's so hard to say without actually seeing the horse, it could be any number of things. She could be sore or hot, or she could just be bored. If I were in your shoes I'd giver her a couple days off just in case she is sore, to let her rest up, then I'd take her out in the coolest part of the day, even if it means you have to get up really early before school/work etc., that way you can see how she works when she's not hot, and when you work her really try and mix it up. Don't just do the same thing every single time. Take her in the round pen and instead of immediately going to round penning do some disengaging, then mix it up some more and do something like pick up her feet, or flex her, then send her off, and try keeping her in a walk, and then get really energetic and try taking her from a walk straight to a canter, then stop and do some other kind of ground work with her, and then send her off again, try taking her from a canter to a trot, then back to a canter, stop and go. Change directions a lot. Just when she thinks she knows what to expect from you, surprise her.
Then after trying all of that stuff, if she doesn't show any change I'd call the farrier and dentist, they can have a look and it'd be good to have her trimmed and floated, and if there's nothing wrong in those areas, then call the vet. If there's nothing obviously wrong with her though, and it's just that she's bored or needs her feet trimmed, there's no since in running out and getting the vet first thing.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

Generally it's younger horses who have pain in the round pen becuase their joints are devolving, with her being 16 I wouldn't worry as much, unless she does have arthritis. It's so hard to say without actually seeing the horse, it could be any number of things. She could be sore or hot, or she could just be bored. If I were in your shoes I'd giver her a couple days off just in case she is sore, to let her rest up, then I'd take her out in the coolest part of the day, even if it means you have to get up really early before school/work etc., that way you can see how she works when she's not hot, and when you work her really try and mix it up. Don't just do the same thing every single time. Take her in the round pen and instead of immediately going to round penning do some disengaging, then mix it up some more and do something like pick up her feet, or flex her, then send her off, and try keeping her in a walk, and then get really energetic and try taking her from a walk straight to a canter, then stop and do some other kind of ground work with her, and then send her off again, try taking her from a canter to a trot, then back to a canter, stop and go. Change directions a lot. Just when she thinks she knows what to expect from you, surprise her.
Then after trying all of that stuff, if she doesn't show any change I'd call the farrier and dentist, they can have a look and it'd be good to have her trimmed and floated, and if there's nothing wrong in those areas, then call the vet. If there's nothing obviously wrong with her though, and it's just that she's bored or needs her feet trimmed, there's no since in running out and getting the vet first thing.

Thank you for your help. I work her in the late evening which I think would be the coolest time other than getting up at 5 A.M. Flexing is a good idea, I used to do that but recently stopped because of time. By the time I had brushed and walked 10 minutes to warm her up it was already dark out. And If I went outside earlier to fit in everything it was just too hot. Might need to split it up where I do flexing and stretched in the morning and round pen work in the evening untill it starts to cool down. I'm hoping she doesn't have arthritis this young. She's only a light trail riding horse and has never been heavily competed on as far as I know. Hopefully the farrier and changing her routine a bit will help. If not I'll have the vet check her out and get her floated (she does need it done anyways). Thanks again

 

[ShrekDawg]

No, you didn't sound mean at all. I dont think she could have ate anything bad. She only gets hay cubes, salt and a vitamin supplement, no pasture. I'll just take it easy on her untill the farrier comes and see if he thinks a vet is necessary. Thanks for your help

No problem and sounds like a good plan.

And i agree, i would try mixing up her routine. As well as maybe try letting her on pasture sometime or having some long stemmed hay? Might help. Or you could try walking her some. I know you said she's bad but part of that could be that she knows you're scared and she can get away with it. I think she needs a refresher on ground work and manners. Plus even if you just do it she'd probably get more used to it and surely couldn't be that energetic or bad every time. Or maybe lunge some then walk her. Or you could try taking her on a walk and letting her eat the grass but only when she behaves. So maybe you walk her around a bit or take her to her stall and if she's good she gets to go eat grass. Also I know you say it's too hot but maybe you could try riding her a little in the summer? I personally find summer to be beautiful. Though depending on where you live, it may be a lot hotter there than here. But she also probably knows you don't ride her or walk her in summer so acts up more when you try. Also I know horses are expensive as it is but it really might help her to have another horse to be with. Horses are herd animals. Plus the other horse might help teach her manners. Or you could try getting a donkey or mini horse or a pony. Or a goat. I mean it doesn't even have to be another full sized horse or anything, a mini might work even, but I do think another horse for companionship might really help and maybe help calm her down. But I would definitely have the farrier and dentist out. Except I would maybe have him watch her before he does her feet so he can see what you see and then maybe again after.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

No problem and sounds like a good plan.

And i agree, i would try mixing up her routine. As well as maybe try letting her on pasture sometime or having some long stemmed hay? Might help. Or you could try walking her some. I know you said she's bad but part of that could be that she knows you're scared and she can get away with it. I think she needs a refresher on ground work and manners. Plus even if you just do it she'd probably get more used to it and surely couldn't be that energetic or bad every time. Or maybe lunge some then walk her. Or you could try taking her on a walk and letting her eat the grass but only when she behaves. So maybe you walk her around a bit or take her to her stall and if she's good she gets to go eat grass. Also I know you say it's too hot but maybe you could try riding her a little in the summer? I personally find summer to be beautiful. Though depending on where you live, it may be a lot hotter there than here. But she also probably knows you don't ride her or walk her in summer so acts up more when you try. Also I know horses are expensive as it is but it really might help her to have another horse to be with. Horses are herd animals. Plus the other horse might help teach her manners. Or you could try getting a donkey or mini horse or a pony. Or a goat. I mean it doesn't even have to be another full sized horse or anything, a mini might work even, but I do think another horse for companionship might really help and maybe help calm her down. But I would definitely have the farrier and dentist out. Except I would maybe have him watch her before he does her feet so he can see what you see and then maybe again after.

Thank you for all the tips, and your right he should probably watch her before he does her feet and then after again. And their isn't any pasture where I live, hardly even any weeds. I live in the Phoenix area of Arizona so it's pretty much just dirt lots unless your rich and can afford to irrigate. It is really hot too July-August is 110*+. But their has been more rain than usual this year so it's closer to the high 90s. I have been looking for another horse for awhile and hope to get one soon. Probably this winter because i need another stall built. That way the horse could just stay outside while its being built and not worry about the heat. I'll try to take her on walks more and maybe ride, your probably right that she can sense my stress and acts up. So if I do it more often hopefully we'll both calm down

 

[I Love Layers]

Don't know if I can ride when I get home since its rained all day

Good news though!! I am the only freshman on the Junior Varsity volleyball team!! And I'm not a bench warmer either! I play front row left side One of the sophomores on JV took the number I like 8, so I took 11. Which is my friend who is on Varsity's number!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you for all the tips, and your right he should probably watch her before he does her feet and then after again. And their isn't any pasture where I live, hardly even any weeds. I live in the Phoenix area of Arizona so it's pretty much just dirt lots unless your rich and can afford to irrigate. It is really hot too July-August is 110*+. But their has been more rain than usual this year so it's closer to the high 90s. I have been looking for another horse for awhile and hope to get one soon. Probably this winter because i need another stall built. That way the horse could just stay outside while its being built and not worry about the heat. I'll try to take her on walks more and maybe ride, your probably right that she can sense my stress and acts up. So if I do it more often hopefully we'll both calm down

No problem! Sounds like a good idea. And ohhh okay, that makes sense. I'm in Massachusetts so around here there's lots and lots of green and water and the most it ever gets is 80s and 90s, occasionally high 90s. This year's been a bit drought ish so not as much rain and a little browner and hotter but yeah. Sometimes I forget in some areas there is no green lol I can see why you wouldn't want to ride in 110 degrees then. That's good you're looking for another horse and sounds like you have a good plan. I would definitely try doing it more often! I think it would calm her down.

 

[abigalerose]

Yes another horse would definitely help! If you can't afford a full size one get a mini. And did you say she sleeps in the round pen? I would stop having her sleep in there. She's probably thinking now it's a place to relax and not work.
And no harm in riding in the summer. I'm in MO so even though the temps are usually high 90s or low 100s, the feel like temps and the humidity are aweful. I still try to get a few rides in though so my horses don't think they get to be total free loaders, and so they don't get bored of ground work. It won't hurt you or her to get a little hot, just make sure you're both hydrated