My horse is acting very strange,,, and if you are goin to leave a stupid, mean, smart a** answer, DONT!!!?

Question

I TOOK MY HORSE on a trail ride today and when we started out he seemed very nervous and he kept trying to walk to the way right, like completely off the trail.. well we kept going and he got to where everything that moved..scared him.. well i dropped his reins just to see wat he would do and he emmediatly went off the trail.... on the right side... and he went all the way up to the fence... which is about 50 ft from the trail... and he stood there and put his ears forward and started breathing heavy... well i got him back on the trail... he acted like this the wrest of the time... i got back to the barn, took off his bridle, unsaddled him and fed him a little bit of feed well i went to go put his feed bucket up and i got some fly spray, well as soon as i turned around he flipped out and took off running.. i finally caught him and he started eating grass and all of a sudden he started making this choking noise? i turned him back out in his pasture... does anybody know what this could b

Answer 1

Well I can tell you my best bet on what he was doing at the fence was smelling trying to see if anything was there that he didn't like something might have been lurking around during the night and he doesn't know what it is and that can be REALLY scary for a horse as for the choking if he does it again then call the vet maybe.

Answer 2

Man, I'm no psychic but it sounds to me like....... I don't wanna sound weird but maybe your horse remembered something that happened at the spot.  Maybe it got him/her choked up, even freaked out about it.  Did another horse pass in that area?

Answer 3

Lots of strange answers on here!  I agree with Rosi, sounds like that horse is spooked.  He was probably choking a bit on that feed he was eating before he took off.  Keep an eye on him and if he continues to show signs of distress tomorrow, call the vet.  Always better safe than sorry in my opinion.

Answer 4

it sounds like your horse is well on his way to being 'barn sour' - of course something may have passed by there, or maybe not...we don't know how often you ride or anything about you or your horse...

we do know that you let him do whatever he wanted to do...

which is head 50 ft off of the trail, to react to whatever it may have been, instead of riding through the area calmly,

and continued this the rest of your ride...and took him back to the barn to eat? where he took off to eat grass - and you finally caught him?

I'd say he's barn sour, doesn't particularly want you riding him - and you might have some confidence issues?

I would suggest that instead of unsaddling and feeding when you get back to the barn, that you do some work there (I know it isn't as much fun as trail riding! - but it didn't sound like you were having too much fun anyways?)) - and make him move his feet!!!

I think if you were riding at the barn, the trail might be a better place, and he'd settle down out there.

He probably was bolting his food, after all his 'festivities'

Happy Trails!

Answer 5

You shouldn't give a horse a snack after behaving like that. You should've lunged him to take his mind of whateverr it was and checked out how his running was like. You shouldve checked for any pains, watched his moves.

It sounds to me like he was just spooking or acting up because he wanted the treat you were about to give him.

Answer 6

I'm agreeing with Rosi on this one.  I do ride where there are bear and mountain lion...and if my horses start 'boogering' for no reason...getting antsy, walking sideways or not in a straight line, heads raised, ears pricked, breathing deep with wide nostrils....I know I have a predator around.  Or at least a carcass of a kill.

We get off that trail, because the horses are being freaked out by 'something' I can't see or smell.  You're looking for an accident if you persist, or a walk home.  Once your horse is in 'I'm scared and nervous and will run away' mode...not alot you can do about it.  They will only be focusing on whatever is boogering them.

And I stress this again...it doesn't matter if YOU can see or smell whatever is freaking them out...something IS!

And even after you take them home or somewhere else to ride, they are already 'boogered' up and will continue to act silly.  Acting nervous, not standing still to eat, taking a bite and running off across the pasture, heads still up and sniffing the wind.  

A few times, mine would not even go in a run in shelter to eat their grain or hay because they got boogered on a ride and it lasted for quite a while.

And I do think the cough/choke was from stress.  When they are boogered and sniffing...they will stop chewing.  Even with feed in their mouths.  And my mare will bite fast at grass if she is nervous and upset...almost like she is 'angry' at it.  And sometimes cough because she is trying to swallow it before she has chewed it all the way.

Just my opinion and experiences....

Answer 7

heh. i like the "and if you are goin to leave a stupid, mean, smart a** answer, DONT!!!? " disclamer. nicce.

um, from what i see its just one of those horse days.

this happens all the time.

i remember my horse used to do weird things like this.

and the choking noise and stuff, it may have happend in the past and you just didnt notice it because you wernt looking for other signs of all say... "weirdness".

horses act different some days, its just how they are.

you might take the following onto consideration:

- was it windy?

- has he been maying down frequently?

- is he getting enough food/water daily?

- did you use any new tack?

i really hope this helps you, horse problems can be so scary sometimes.

Answer 8

maybe he is freaked out because it is friday the 13th.

idkk.

i kinda am.

Answer 9

were you pulling on the reins to much to the right and not noticing it?

i think he is trying to tell you something is wrong, check and see if his legs are ok.

touch different parts of his body to see if they feel unusually warm, or see if he has a unusual reaction. that may tell you where the problem is.

if the problem persist, try consulting a professional.

if he doesnt seem to be hurt then he may just be being bad.

good luck!

Answer 10

Sounds like he's in pain of some sort.

Answer 11

look for wondes scratches or any thing like that

he could have gottin atacked or frightened by an animal last night you should keep a close eye on him and make sure that nothing is coming in and out of his teritory exepet you and your family sorry i was nit much more help

Answer 12

I'm not to sure, it might be something in the barn or the horse stall he is in. Try calling your local vet and ask her what she thinks on the matter.

Answer 13

sumthing had him freaked. maybe a bear was around or soemting

Answer 14

He could have been answering the call of another horse, or sensed something scary - a wild predatory animal or something and wanted to check it out.

As for the choking incident perhaps his feed needs to be dampened.  If he is seemingly otherwise healthy I should not worry, but if he continues to act strangely and even worse choking, I would call the vet.  Meantime make sure his feeds are well dampened but not sloppy and feed carrots etc cut lengthways.

I also understand that horses and all other animals react strangely before an earthquake.  I guess you are in America right?  In UK we call your trail riding hacking.

He may also just be feeling full of the joys of the season!

Answer 15

well it could b something spooked him over night or something is moving around that he could hear and not see. For the choking noise ask ur vet if it keeps on happening.

Answer 16

Maybe he had sensed something like a cougar or a bear and he was trying to scare it off. If I were you I would take him back on that trail and see if he is still acting up. I have a horse at my stables and it makes these weird like hiccup sounds like burping. I am not sure why but I think he has some gastro intestinal problems

Answer 17

It would of been something in the air which he could either smell or hear.

How is he now??

Answer 18

maybe something is wrong with his lungs. or perhaps he just has a cold usually they act very different. in any case take him straight to the vet or call and see what they say

Answer 19

First of all you haven't said how long you've had your horse.  Secondly, how long you've had him at that location.

IF he's been in the area several years or more, you may want to listen to him.  Depending upon your location there could have been a preditor in the area and you were being warned that something wasn't right or a dead animal that you didn't see but your horse smelled.

His responses don't sound like he's hurting, he's in flight mode, which means something was out there and he didn't want to get eaten.

This is when it's time to listen to your horse and know him well enough to evaluate the situation.  Before you take him out on the trail next time, work him down either by lunging him or riding him out in his pasture and make sure he's not fresh (Put a bit of sweat on him.) and then try taking him back out the same trail.).

BTW the choking bit, was probably 'cause he bolted his feed 'cause he was upset.  Not to worry.

Best of luck.

Answer 20

No, but instead of posting this, call a vet., now. If you horse was acting up, and you were worry abot him why do you keep riding. I would have gone back and called the vet, I hope you have by now, and if you get mean answer, what do you expect, when you know something might be wrong and you keep riding. That is not what horse people do. they all ways think of there horses first.

Answer 21

He's either in pain or something out there (you couldn't see it) spooked him.  Possibly a coyote or some animal he's not used to seeing or smelling.  Watch him over the next couple of hours and see if he gets better BUT I would call the vet if he doesn't seem better by mid afternoon (being its the weekend).  

I would keep a close eye on the choking.

Answer 22

Sometimes horses get food in their windpipe, kind of like people do, making them cough.  If he only did it momentarily, he is fine.  

As far as his behaviour on the trail ride, it seems this horse has more control over where he goes/what he does than you do.  You should reverse this, so that you can enjoy riding him.  Otherwise, get a calmer horse.

Answer 23

This sounds very much like you were riding near a predator of some kind. I don't know what region you're in, but mountain lions are getting really common and they're encroaching more and more on on people and livestock (or we're encroaching on them.) If you live in bear country, you might want to consider them as well. If you're in the Soutwest, say Southern Arizona or California, you might have a Jaguar moving into the area. If it was a predator, it's likely a cat as it sounds like whatever spooked your horse stayed with you for a while. Your horse will know what's going on long before you do so just keep an eye on him on your next ride.  Just keep a sharp eye out next time you're riding and be sure to keep control if you spot a large cat. Do not let your horse take off. Cats are wary of large animals and very, very rarely attack riders. You and your horse are just too big to be a safe meal and you're unlikely to be attacked by a predator. Running is asking for it, though. If you happen to spot a predator, just move along. It's probably just wondering what you're doing there. The choking noise was probably stress or some feed stuck in his throat but, if you can afford it, have a vet look him over just in case. It doesn't sound like anything's wrong with him, but a vet would certainly be better able to make that call.

Answer 24

well i would say he was definatley scared of something you should get this checked out has your horse ever been hurt or seen something on the trail bc my horse did this on a trail in the mountains one time and it turned out there was a bear in the area a hour after .

Answer 25

This horse has some sort of serious problem.  He's either sick, injured or has an eye problem that may be affecting his sight.  You need to identify the problem right away and try to treat it.  If he were my horse, I'd have a vet exam ASAP and see if I could help him.

Answer 26

Your horse might be a lady that is pregnant.

Answer 27

Either he's in pain, dehydrated (makes them spooky), or having a neurological problem with his symptoms.

Answer 28

well i would say your horse was scared of somthing he could smell or somthing but the hole choking thing dont regester unless he cant breatha and if fighting for air umm also he could have bean caughing does he have a snot substince runnig down his noise? but i i dont think you have to consult a vet just yet if your horse was hert he wouldnt be spooked like that unless he might have moon blindens ? whitch would effect hes sight  was there water on the trail  ?? some horse dont like walking in water but i dont think he would spook that bad also  THE 'PUP LUVER' SHE DID WHAT SHE DID SHES JUST LOOKING FOR ANSWERS IN A POLITE WAY U DONT HAVE TO BE A ***** JEE AND WAT IS RONG WITH YOU BARN SOUR ??? THE HORSE WOULDTN HAVE BEEN SHYING IT WOULD HAVE ITS EARS BACK AND ANOYED BUCKING ECT . HORSE LIKE FEED SO THERE FORE WOULD LIKE THE PLACE THEY NOW THEY EAT, ALSO WHAT U WANT TO KNOW HER HOLE LIFE STORY I THINK WE ALL GOT THE IDEA OF WAT SHE WAS TALKIING ABOUT

Answer 29

he doesn't like you.

i dunno maybe something spooked him.  animals also can sense things, like maybe you're going to have an earthquake.  i live in ca, and our dogs used to go crazy for days before earthquaks.

Answer 30

How long have you had him,  what breed and age is he?  I would have a vet check him out, this is really weird, check his eyes, hoofs (stone bruise, abscess) , saddle sores, back pain, this is a tough one and I think ya need to call the doctor.

Answer 31

My moms horse started to act strange like that after he bucked her off so if he has bucked you off or reared up or kicked or anything that might be why! My moms horse is only 4 years old but when he was 3 years he went to training for a month and he was just fine until a couple weeks ago when he bucked her off.