dc
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Post by dc on Dec 31, 2014 4:29:03 GMT
For a few years now, you've all heard my stories about Riley, and that my issues are me not him. You also so know he is now boarded with several other horses, and in the time I've had him, riding except for once or twice years ago has been done alone.
Now, he has been at the barn since September (or is it October) and he has settled in. This issue is this, when he is taken out and there is a lot of other horses also taken out.......
He pulls his feet away from the farrier to the extent we will both give him a smack. He tries to see what is going on behind him, today he spooked sending the other horses in the riding pen and a rider/horse into conniptions. (not really conniptions of bucking etc), but send them all into a mini run. Spooked at what? Now he was a little spook really, but until here, spooks were almost non existent. He snorts, he has to see everything. Taking him back he was obvi a little excited. (again Riley's version of excited would likely make you all roll your eyes, but to me......) I took off his halter and he did a jump forward and started to do a little run off but he's not a fan of frozen ground.
Why, why, why does he (for him) get all excited. He's been with this bunch for months and is settled in. It's when they are all out and people etc. It's not like he's being brought out with a whole new group, it's his field mates.
Heck at home here, he stood for the farrier (with the exception of bugs agitating but who blames 'em) with dogs crawling under his feet to get the trimmings. Here, it's pull away the feet, and while I am sure there are much worse horses, I find his behavior a bit dickish.
To be honest, the day he arrived he was very agitated. Calling, spinning, snorting dancing. He's been moved to places before, on/off the trailer, walk to field/stall, no fuss, no muss, no snort, no call, no nothing.
Why does he get agitated here? Even months later. Oh, I should say, this never happens if I bring him out and none of the other horses are out. Then he is his mellow self. |
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Post by horselover4life on Dec 31, 2014 11:37:31 GMT
IMO for what it is worth.......
Riley is insecure.
He still is unsure of his place in the herd, that the herd may do something and he not be able to go with them, participate.....
I don't think he trusts his stable companions yet either.
He also sounds to me that he is barn and horse sour.
His being so reactive is a combination of many things I bet....the fact he sets off the other horses so easily makes me think though that they rely upon his intense attention to changes {details} to keep them all safe...so a "spook" sets them all off to "flee & stupid mode".
Since it changed when he came to this barn some of it is attributed to smell of the place, smell of the horses, noise and commotion and possibly food.
The day of moving, yup agitated would be a good descriptive word to use for many horses.
His not settling, his being apprehensive is just not him....
He is now kept pretty much in a smaller field, maybe a barn and stall at night? Yes?
Unable to see his herd-mates and "touch" them, group together and reassure himself as he did with Kovey at home?
He now may get a different variety of feed and hay....sometimes that can also be a contributing factor in behavior and sensitivity, re-activeness to stimuli...
You had some pretty big changes occur shortly before bringing him here did you not?
You sold your other horse, Kovey.....the 2 horses were always together then suddenly one was gone and Riley now had to adjust to being a single horse again.... now he may still search for Kovey; always looking for him, watching for him, trying to capture his smell and scent......
You are also different here than at home.
Riley was always your protector, and here,...maybe he doesn't get to protect you like he use to...
You act different and Riley senses that too when you handle him.
For what it is worth...
My sons horse we have had now for over 6 months.
He only settled in the past 6 weeks, just before we brought home our second horse.
Now, though he is also herd bound, is highly agitated if the other horse goes out of his sight he gets "STUPID"...spooks, runs, screams and is a big jerk!
Yup, we have a problem if I need to separate them or take one away....since we ride together and trailer them together I'm dealing with it and it not causes issues, yet!
Wonder if some of what you now have could be similar to what I have...PITA isn't it???
It will actually make you a better horsewoman to be forced to deal with "the sillies" from Riley....
Set a firm line for his behavior and what he is and is not allowed to do...praise and discipline as appropriate.
Riley is smart....he will meet the demands you give him.
Be consistent with whatever you demand, never waver far from it and never allow nor tolerate his bad behavior.
Tough being a horse mommy and knowing something isn't quite right but figuring it out is the missing puzzle piece you search endlessly for.
Another book....... and of course jmo! 884530
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Post by horselady on Dec 31, 2014 12:28:39 GMT
Great advice from hl4l. but my second thought would be who is feeding him and walking him out and about when you are not there and what are these people doing to him??
sometimes it is not the horse but the handlers. are they walking quietly or smacking him. pulling or jerking him? sometimes handlers do all this without a owner or barnmanager seeing them. are the other horses also reactive?
perhaps a vet check for eyes and ears is in order and if all is ok than i would consider being at the barn when least expected to see what is going on.
horses only react to outside stimuli waiting for that something to happen.
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Post by horselover4life on Dec 31, 2014 12:37:09 GMT
Very good points HL...all very valid good points!!
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dc
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Posts: 173
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Post by dc on Dec 31, 2014 13:03:44 GMT
Nope, bigger field, still 24/7 out with the other horses. Once the weather gets bad some of the horses will be going into stalls, right now none of them are, and the arrangement I have is Riley will only go in, in really extreme weather. (simply because he can) I've watched the BO with him, nope, he barely blinks, she likes him and finds him amusing and commented on him taking a blanket for the first time without even a blink at it. Yesterday, I could not make him move off the hay on the ground (tender tootsies) I went right, I went left, I used a lunge to tap his bottom. Not happening, another boarder came out, laughed, and sniffed her as she attached her lead, took her a few minutes, but got him moving. No agitation like she was going to hurt him. No, he seems content although he seems to miss me (usually) when I've not been there for a week. No more war wounds, even what he had was not bad at all. A couple of spots where he had been bit. The boss horse likes him, he as a couple of mares he's mostly buddy with. About middle of the herd hierchy I figure I don't often see him in the middle of the bunch, but have seen him eating side by side with the others. He only gets hay, no need for anything more. He's same old, same old, if I have him out of the field by himself or if I am loving on him in the field., or if there is like one other horse. Being in a group of horses and people nope, never happened before until here. The bo watches, she has noticed he tosses his head a lot less since chiro came out. All speak highly of her. NO the horses are basically friendly, some will wander over when you get to the gate, but most if you are not their owner show no interest. There is of course one little b*tch pony mare lol. Who apparently gets b*tchier if her owner does not come out enough. (building a house and her own barn) But her Riley seem to have no issues, he just stays away from her. Leaving horses behind has never been a problem because two horses, only me no problem. Was never keen if I took Kovey out his sight, but doesn't fuss at all here if a horse is taken. There is always other horses with him. Doesn't fuss if I take him. It's only when several horses are out with him. Like I don't know the activitiy of it. I have 0 concerns he is being treated harshly. I come and go as I please, no calling ahead. The BO is lovely and has been a help to me, so have the other boarders when I've met them. Seriously, a lovely group of ladies that I have seen. Friendly, helpful, and seem close, they plan activities (rides etc together) go out for dinner, go o Royal together.
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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 31, 2014 13:26:40 GMT
Almost sounds like he's testing you, to over analyse maybe he's pissed at being moved again and although he is happy there he still wants to punish you, maybe a horse psychic is in order!
im soo glad I don't have to put up with this kinda mental torture psycho analyzing stuff from Isis anymore, I feel for you!
He prob needs a few good long sweaty work sessions, tune him in:)
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dc
New Member
Posts: 173
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Post by dc on Dec 31, 2014 13:31:33 GMT
I'd agree with the testing, except it only happens on the occasions I spoke of. Maybe he's just too use to be out alone vs being out and about with other horses? If that is the case, what the heck will happen if I get the nerve to ride with anybody else rather alone. I'm honestly thinking if and when I get on, we'll have to do it alone.
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dc
New Member
Posts: 173
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Post by dc on Dec 31, 2014 13:39:03 GMT
oh and bo thinks he is a very smart horse. Never has to be told anything twice ie. crowding her when she goes out to feed, also she did was point away from her and bark and he never came in again (nor do the other horses). Feeding 10 horses in the field with them, she needs space and boundaries. Would come visit her but if saw the syringe (bute for when he was absessing) would not.)
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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 31, 2014 13:51:57 GMT
I know it's hard but you need to stop over analyzing him, I made that mistake, trying to work out they whys and ifs, Isis was the same, some days he was ok others he was acting stupid, no consistency which is what frustrated me, at his new place he has no issues atall, they treat him like all their other horses and they have not complained at anything about him, this annoys me even more lol!....not like I am not experienced or the nervy type, I guess we just didn't gel?!
Going out with another horse would be a good thing, as long as it's a well behaved one plus give you confidence that if anything happens you are not alone, to quote my old cowboy neighbour, just stop thinking about it and do it!
The farrier thing would really bug me, I'd be holding a whip now and giving him a whack, warn farrier first though!.....I'll bet after heck once or maybe twice as he's obviously not stupid he won't pull away again, Isis had a pull the feet away stage and after a good whack with the rasp in the ribs he was fine:)
I do hope you get all this ironed out, it's so frustrating isn't it
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Post by Shelly on Jan 6, 2015 17:33:12 GMT
I wonder if there's one horse in particular that he's attached himself too? Maybe when that horse is away he's fine?? Not sure, but working him through his quirks sounds like a good way to deal with things.
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