Horse Trouble??? suggestions!??

Question

Hi i have just brought a 15.3hh 10 year old grey gelding Tb X

he seems to trip alot but i think this is because he has just been shod by a doggey farrier.

I brought him about 3 weeks ago and he was perfect there he is a X trail riding horse and has been to pc.

when i ride him now he tosses his head around HEAPS and does like a little rear when you want him to trot or canter. he also pigroots when he is cantering i have only cantered him once at home because he took off in a gallop and ran through the bush now i am worried he is going to do it again.

why does he toss his head around all the time and why is he pigrooting any suggestions.

please comment tell me what you think

Answer 1

Did you have his feet x-rayed? I would check him out for signs of navicular. Usually the first sign of navicular is alot of tripping, regardless of the farrier. Also it sounds like he is uncomfortable in the saddle, so it could easily be his back. But I would definately check to see if he has navicular. But I would first consult your veterinarian on the subject because he would know more than I would.

Navicular is a condition that affects the horse's navicular bone, which is a tiny bone located behind the coffin bone and just underneath the short pastern bone. What happens is that the navicular bone degenerates over a period of time, at the begining stages, the horse show no lameness or physical problems, and this condition can only be diagnosed through x-rays, and that point preventive actions can be taken. Tripping frequently is one of the first signs before the lameness occurs.

Now, this could easily not be navicular and it could be something else. If it is navicular, don't panic like everyone else does!!! Navicular can be treated and the horse can live an almost normal life.

Answer 2

He sounds like he isn't used to you. Before I bought my gelding a few months ago, his owners would ride him and he would be perfect, but when I got on he would toss his head, but on the second time he was perfect for me.

But this is my advice.

Get after him in a found pen or in some sort of arena where you can lunge him before your ride.

Make him walk for you, and if he starts to trot make him walk.

Then make him trot, canter, ect. but only allow him to do any of those when you ask him to!!!

It sounds like maybe he dosen't think that your in control when you ride him. If he rears a bit when you ask him to trot or canter, quickly make him go in small circles, make sure you kick him to get his butt to move. You need to be the boss. This answer probably sounds harsh, but the main thing is NOT to let him get away with things. If he is ten he should know better, and have enough experiance.

Probably though the person who rode him before let him get away with the things that he has done/doing.

I hope that I helped.

Answer 3

I am in agreement with all these folks at some point or another. I would just like to add the scenario of the things that run in their nature. Horses are herd animals and in all herds there is a pecking order. I have yet to know any horse that won't try to place you into their herd pecking order especially if they loose the other horses and move into a different herd.even if you have no other horses. Then you become the rest of the herd and so must be tested to see where you fall within its ranks. To them its just instinct-survival of the fittest so to speak. I do believe that this horse is definitely trying to tell you something is not quite right though.....Time,Patience, and communication...

Answer 4

Yes, I think you should go and float your horses teeth. That may solve her head problem. I have to float my horse every six months instead of every year because she grows points on her back teeth and they cut into her cheek. When she is overdue, she tosses her head, flaps her lips, and is plain out ornery!

Then again, your horse may just be testing you. Just be patient and firm with him when you ride him, and sit with a deep seat. When you feel he's going to take off with you, slightly wiggle your finger that is next to your pinkie in a slow, rhythmic motion. My trainer calls this "Check and release"

Trust me on the check and release thing! It works. It may sound weird, but it's helped me alot. "check and release" may also collect your horse in the neck and back, and therefore building muscle in his back. That may solve his tripping.

Hope I helped!

Answer 5

When you have had his teeth checked and floated if necessary and the headshaking continues I would suggest riding him with a running martingale for a few months or until he stops the headshaking and the taking off. Head shaking can be an early sign that he wants to buck/rear so if it starts you should stop it by saying quit and pulling on the reins. If you put a running martingale on him you will have more control to prevent him from running away.

Answer 6

may i suggest his back is out or his teeth need to be checked out?....may you should try to round pen him, to build trust (I'll tell you what it works miracles)... he may not trust or respect you since you just bought him...many horses do this, when i got my new horse she was absolutely crazy,couldn't touch her or she would attack!she also would hardly eat anything,and wouldn't drink water, we where sooo concerned i roundpened her for a week or until she respected me she mellowed out and i haven't a problem ever since, i go to lots of different places she's fine. i think its just anxiety

Answer 7

Here are a fue reasons why he might be playing up.

1) He may be saw, have a chiro come out the chick him.  (It could also be his feet or teeth.  Horses should have there teeth done every 6-12 months)

2) He might be testing you, you can try to ride him though it.

3) Is it posible that he may have been druged where you bought him from?

4) Most horses when they are moved tend to have a fue isues to work through, and may take some time to settle in.  (I had a horse once that was silly everytime I kept him atmy coaches place due to the number of horses he was staying with)

5) Have you checkt your gear?  Prehaps you may be useing a bit that he dosent like?  Or is your saddle puting any presure on teh spine or is it bridging?

6) Is it posible that you may be feeding him to much and he is just letting off some steam,  If so try lunging him before you ride.

There are plenty of reasons why horses muck up.  Head tossing is oftern related to pain so I would have the chiro look ova him and go from there.  Mention that he is triping a bit as horses can drag there feet when they are saw in the back.

ps, please dont tie your horses head down in order to the acheave balance and more oftern than not the horse will lean on the contact.  Ingagment though balance comes from hard work, transitions in gates, small and large circles, and time.

Good luck

Answer 8

I think if I were you, I'd be getting a vet to check him out to rule any health issues first.  Did you have a vet check/exam done before purchasing?  How's your saddle?  Is it fitting him well or does he have a sore back?  My horse was tripping and rooting and he was sore in his hind.  Once I got that under control, the problem was resolved. I would definitely get teeth looked at, get a vet out to check him over as your horse may be trying to tell you something, and possibly get another farrier out to check the feet for you.  Good luck!

Answer 9

my horse did that he was testing me but i stayed on and kept in charge. Also with the tripping thing get a new farrier out to check  but also my thoroughbred use to trip as well not heaps but everynow and again especially on flat ground :)

Answer 10

Not sure what type of environment you tried him out in - but would say if it was in an enclosed roundpen or arena - you were buffalo'd into thinking this horse is suitable for you!

Unfortunately when looking to buy a horse, so many of us dont really take the time to get to know the horse on several visits.  Its not something most sellers want to deal with (various visits and trying their horse) but someone that is genuinely concerned about the home the horse is going to - will take the time and allow you to ride the horse out in the open if its safe!  Those who just want to sell the horse - will usually not let you try the horse on a trial bases - nor allow you out of a safe enclosure - where the horse remains calm - and slow - cus there is no where to go!

How to fix it - take him to a trainer if he's the horse for you - and you want to keep him.  As for his tripping - you might have your farrier out to check him over, but dont rule out that the horse could be a track horse (check for a tatoo under his lip) and that he may not be sound (being a TB?)

GOod Luck!

Answer 11

the tripping problem is probably because he is heavy on the forehand. if you have a round pen available to you i would invest in some side reins. when you put them on make them taught so he has to give to the bit. this will help to teach him self-carriage and get him off the forehand. ( it should also make him easier to control).  when he is in the round pen work on transitioning from trot to walk walk to trot and changing direction. if you are unsure how to do this i would ask someone at your barn to help you the first couple of times. when he starts tossing his head yell QUIT!! in your angry voice. horses respond to tone of voice, i have found my voice to be just as important as my hands and legs lol. if he tries to take off on you grab one rein with both of your hands and pull his nose to your knee and say WHOA in a deep voice that says you mean business (don't be calling your horse a ho, lol, the horses respond better to the short sound of the w better than just the ho). that way all he can do is turn in circles until he is ready to behave. once he has stopped moving make him stand there for a few minutes and then walk on when you're ready to go. he has to understand that you are the boss in the relationship. your relationship is still forming so you have to give him a reason to trust you. work on his ground manners by leading him around for 15-20. work on stopping a respectful distance beside you. if he steps into your space make him back up and then start walking again. its easier for a horse to trust you if he respects you. if he can learn to follow you anywhere you might want to go then he can feel safe with you. working in the round pen with side reins will be extremely important. get him used to listening to you in an environment that you can control, it will definitely help to boost your confidence in working with him. don't worry, the relationship will definitely get better with time especially if he had to change barns. horses are animals of habit so once he gets used to you he should calm down. good luck! hope this helped :)

Answer 12

sounds to me like he is testing you. He may have been ridden by people of various levels of experience and he is trying to figure out how much he can get away with now that he has a new rider again. Just be consistent and firm. You know he knows how to obey so make it clear to him that is what you expect!

Remember horses are like 4 legged children sometimes!

Answer 13

Things to consider -

when you bought him did you get the tack he is used to or have you had to buy all new ? It's possible that there is something about the tack that is bothering him and causing this behavior.

Has he had his teeth checked ?

If you know that the farriery was dodgy I'd suggest that you find a different ( and better farrier and get him to come out .

Answer 14

Hi x

If your having problems and cant afford a vet, use some Bach flower rescue remedies. They dont need a prescription as they are an approved food as well as drug. You should massage them on him AND mix them into his food and water. If he doesnt lik the remedy stop feeding it to him and if he doesnt like the massage then stop that to, they somehow can tell if it will help. there are 38 remedies altogether but only some will be relevant!!

Good luck i hope i helped

Alice L x 13