When i first got my horse ... he was so quite, the only thing that was bad .... is he was always really pushy with his food! He would always push me around when i was trying to feed him ... . so i started taking a stick in there to protect myself ... it worked in the end and he started going strait to his feed container and wait till i poured in the food! i was working him heaps and going for long trail rides. .. he was as good as ever: D i soon went on a 2 week holiday and when i came back i went for a ride and he was totally crazy i had trouble controlling him and i couldn't even trot on him without him trying to take off! it had only been two weeks ..... he was never the taking off type .... then he started getting scared of everything and every time a car passed he would buck and try to take off: (he was a totally different horse, when i left he was totally boom proof and when i came back he was scared of everything even a rubbish bin! so he spooked at something and i fell off and got my finger caught in the reins ... he ran backward and snap my finger backward i hopped back on him with my broken finger because if i didn't i would never hop on him! i rode back home and no one was there so i struggled to pack him up .... a few days later after my finger was plastered i was feeding him .... when i feed him i normally put his rug on .... whilst putting it on he he kicked at me but missed my a center meter it scared me heaps so i gave him a tap on the neck to tell him it was the wrong thing, then out of no where he went crazy and turned his bum directly to me and kicked with both legs .... then started running around bucking and rearing .. .. he then charged at me and nearly squished me but i got out of the stable just on time luckily i was not physically hurt ... but i was mentally really upset because he had purposely just attacked me .... since then whenever i go into his yard he charges at me ..... and i am to scared to rug him: (so what happened its really made me sad! can i fix this? i have been trying to gain trust by patting him and just being calm but i get so nervous around him ...:(
my friend was in a similar situation and heres how we remedied the problem, firstly regards the feeding, we changed the routine, her horse was fed at slightly different times and not in the stable, this way he couldnt corner her and didnt expect to be fed at a certain time. regards the cranky behaviour, firstly i would get a vet to check him over, he could have a sore back, or toothache or earache which would explain a lot. if all is well a few other suggestions would be: check his feed is appropriate for his workload, he may simply have too much energy, lunge him to rid him of excess energy then see how he is. If this has no effect, let someone else handle him to see if he plays up for them, it may be because of the bad things that have happened he associates this with you and hence reacts badly to you. if this is the case you need to try and get over your fear and be calm but firm with him, reassuring him lots and gaining trust with each other, you may need someone else to do this with you, assuming he is ok with other people. Good luck and dont give up!
You went away for 2 weeks. Was his grain cut, at least in half, while he had this time off? If not, you're dealing with the 'food high' horses will oftentimes get when put into rest and over- grained. First thing I'd do is cut him back to just a handful 2 or 3x a day, with plenty of forage, hay and pasture time.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Next thing I'd do is keep a leather halter on him with a 10 "catch rope dangling at all times. You need to be able to get a handle on him because it sounds like he's becoming dangerous due to excess grain. Never go in a confined area with him without a dressage whip to defend yourself. He needs a refresher course in manners ... turning his bum toward you, much less kicking is cause for crucifixion!
Stay off his back until you're confident his energy level has returned to normal. Instead, work on lunging in a round pen working on voice commands and 'join up', and on a line using side reins working on correct carriage. Be a drill sargeant. He needs to re-learn respect.
Start the exercise program slowly because fitness can be quickly lost with 2 weeks off. Keep his brain occupied, and NEVER turn your back to him until this behaviour subsides. If, after a few weeks of lunging, you're still feeling unsafe to ride , then find an * experienced * trainer (someone who's supported themself AND their family for several years on their training skills - not just someone who's owned a horse several years). Have the trainer work on the horse's respect.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Good luck.
There could be a number of reason why your horse has suddenly started this behaviour.
Who was looking after him while you were away? Was he living out? Have you changed his feed etc. Was he off work for those 2 weeks you were away and were you still feeding him the same amount?
If a horse is getting too much feed and not enough exercise then they will have too much energy, if they can't do anything about it then it just blows their brains and that's why you start getting spooky, uptight behaviour etc.
