Uncontrollable horse tantrums (please help)

[Benjii]

I think i just need to give it one more go, i guess. If the circles and training dont work then its obviously me. I just might not be a good enough rider for ride him or i might set him off. His health is good, hes very fit. He does get 'cold back' due to his age but he gets a 15 min warm up and cool down with a medium/long rein. So i dont think its a stiffness thing. After hard rides he also gets a little bit of bute (anti-inflammatory) and a hamstring rub down. His saddle was measured and fitted to him, and the bit has been changed till we found one he works best with. He has also gotten acupuncture and physiotherapy (his original owner was a horse naturopath and physiotherapist). He is also on alot of powder that are ment to help with joints, and mineral stuff... around hes very spoilt when it comes to his health.

 

[Latestarter]

I'm not a horse person, so take what I say accordingly. Having read through, this is not a problem unique to you. Your mom has issues with this animal as well. It is NOT you! You have years of riding experience, and have had this horse for 4 years. In that time, any quirks should have been worked out and you should be a riding "team". The fact that you're not indicates a problem... and you are not it... Just because an animal is beautiful/handsome/pretty doesn't mean the animal is a "good" animal, unless that animal is simply for show. If the animal is meant to serve another purpose and isn't or doesn't, then pretty matters not. Sorry that you're in this situation and can do nothing really to correct it. I hope he's "fixable", but have my doubts. Best of luck to you.

Edit to say and best of luck with exams!

 

[Lamb Lover]

@Benjii ok that's good to know. Like Latestarter said, it has nothing to do with you personally. How long had the previous owners had him? If there is any way to contact them maybe they could help? Have you changed anything recently riding, tack, feed, or otherwise? I just don't understand. Circles should have helped... It should make his brain work so he calms down. Did you try rubbing his pole and shoulders? It's mostly the pole but if you rub just right his head will lower and his chin will droop, and then if he licks his lips or maybe shakes his head he's calm. It should all work and it's not. If you don't mind I can ask around because I know quite a few horse people and we could see what they say... It's up to you though.

 

[Benjii]

His feed has been increased latly, which may have something to do with it. Unfortunately although he is my horse i can not stop others from sneaking him lucerne or extra hay... as he seems to have everyone on the property wrapped around his little finger. I'll have a talk to my mum about it. When i get on him next ill try the circles if he plays up. The time he freaked ( that caused me to write this post) i was patting him and talking to him, i think i may just not be authoritative enough... i cant laugh this stuff off as well as other riders. When i shift my weight forward he gets worse though, so i wasnt to keen to touch his pole. I havent ridden him since my uni exams started, but he has been lunged 4 times a week and taken for walks, which hes pretty hot in but nothing nasty. Talking to his original owner it seems to be his personality, im just kinda of over it to be honest.. at the age of 18... when we used to go out.. people would assume i was riding a 4-5 year old... I guess some horses are just hot headed. We ill see. during my uni break im going to give it one last big go, and see if consecutive structured work and training can get to a point where i feel less vulnerable.

 

[promiseacres]

Didn't see it suggested but has teeth been checked within 6 months???

 

[Lamb Lover]

Ok... I'm sorry I couldn't help @Benjii. I hope he gets better for you. Let me know how it goes.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

It seems this in an old post, so I'm not sure if you still have him or if you have resolved the issue by now.

However, I second, third, and fourth the idea to ge thim checked out by a vet. It sounds to me like something may be causing him pain. Ulcers are incredibly common in horses and a majority of the time, they don't cause problems. However, some of them depending on the location and severity, can cause all of the signs you mentioned.

If he comes back clear from the vet, then I would deifnitely hook up with a trainer and have him evaluated at the very least.

 

[secuono]

Pain, saddle fit, testing you getting slowly worse, bad training, ulcers, stones, etc. Too many things could be going on.
Get a vet out, saddle fitter and a chiro, then find a trainer who deals with problem horses.

 

[Ridgetop]

There comes a time when you have to cut your losses. My question is why you were given this horse? Did the gifter have problems with him too? This horse may be beautiful but has not behaved for the 4 years you have had him and now he is getting worse. Family ties don't matter if you or someone else gets injured. Your mom had problems with him too so it is not you. By now you should have come to an understanding with him, but since his behavior is getting worse it is a very dangerous situation. Horses can get brain tumors, etc. that can affect their behavior so you should have a vet do some tests.
Bottom line: Get a different horse before you or some innocent bystander gets hurt.

 

[Latestarter]

The OP hasn't posted since her last here. I doubt that she's still online. Given that, perhaps our comments will help some other experiencing a similar problem down the road. I had actually stopped following this thread (along with 6 pages of other outdated ones) yesterday. I only came back because I was notified someone liked my post. I hope that she came to terms and (was allowed by her mom to) get rid of that nightmare.