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  Discussion on 5 years later still cranky Ulcers?
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New Member:
Pjduback

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 - 4:10 pm:

I have a now 7 yr old gelding who I purchased when he was 2 1/2. We have a wonderful bond and he will follow me anywhere. When I first bought him no one wanted him him because he was to cranky and intimidating. Well he still is! He wears his ears only when under saddle, or if I hold back treats and say "EARS", but he has the most loving personality that just doesn't match up. I've chalked it up to his disposition but lately I've been thinking thats kinda lame of me. Here's his other symptons. Walk in barn go to stall he whinney's and dances like a puppy happy to see me, treat or not. Then as I reach for the stall door, ears pinned, walk in stall I get a huge neck hug but ears never forward. grooming he's great can brush him anywhere. While I'm gromming he'll reach around and start rubbing his sides with his teeth as if to say you missed a spot, thought this was cute but now wondering what he's really trying to tell me. Bring saddle in stall to saddle and he comes to it and always has to sniff it first, then he's fine. Saddle on, cinching must go real slow one notch at a time, or he'll throw his head. Now for the bridle, put the nose band on and he starts yawning, stretching his jaw. has never refused the bit how ever, and its a d-ring snaffle. Ok thats done now it's off to ride. He's awesome will do what ever you ask. No leg pressure problems etc., back to the stall. Same deal with the bit being removed yawning stretching. He's sorta fat and as never been off his food. He does have a dandruff problem however. He's wormed regularly. Could something be making him cranky, ulcers? He is such a sweetheart and I would hate to be ignoring something obvious to others. He can be quite intimidating to anyone who doesn't know that he's all talk with no aggressive, bad moves in anyway. When he was younger and first arrived he was scared of everything, He has out grown or adjusted to his enviroment and will only spook in new situations, 1st time round at the show grounds, new turnout, etc. Any suggestions to help bring the happy loveable horse on the inside to the outside?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 - 6:23 pm:

Welcome Paula,
Other than when you first walk in the stall and his ears pin, where is he cranky?
DrO
New Member:
Pjduback

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 - 6:36 pm:

Just over all disposition mostly to others horse and humans. Always has his ears pinned/backed, even when he's nuzzling you his ears are back, under saddle not so bad unless another horse goes by.
New Member:
Pjduback

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 - 6:38 pm:

Oh I forgot to add that he paws constantly to the point he's developed side bones. Also he's on turn out all day with a round bale, if that makes any difference
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 - 7:35 pm:

Hi Paula When your horse paws is it in the stall or outside...or both? Does he pin his ears when he is outside and you just go say hello? From working at a boarding barn, I have seen horses become territorial of their stalls. Most of them just as you describe. A very few get downright aggressive about it. Is it possible to change your routine and saddle him outside, or try 24/7 turnout? He sounds like he wants to be the alpha. I'm not saying it is not medical but something to consider.
Member:
Canter

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 - 8:20 am:

Once you rule out any medical factors, it might just be his personality. My mare acts very much as you describe: She'll come when called (mostly), but pins her ears the whole way to me. Yet her eye is soft and as soon as she reaches me, she'll rest her head on my chest. She will lead into the barn with absolutely no resistance, and truly, altho I wouldn't do it, I really don't even need a lead rope. When in her stall, she will ignore her hay and watch me as I move about getting my tack ready. When in cross ties, she frequently pins her ears, particularly as soon as she sees the saddle, but shows no resistance to grooming and tacking up. As I girth up, she stretches her neck, makes the silliest faces, yawns, sticks out her tongue, yet her feet are still and she licks and chews a lot. During all this, if I happen to stand in front of her with my back turned, she will step forward to stick her nose in my neck, and she will keep it there until I move. She's sound and healthy - I have a wellness exam done twice a year- so I know that these aren't pain issues. When I first knew her, she did the same things but was much more stand-offish. So, I've concluded that it's just her and she is known as "the Queen". It all translates to "all show and no go" with her silly attitude. She is a vry safe horse to work around and a wonder to work with under saddle. She's taught me a lot and though I've often fumbled when I cue her, she's not ever bucked, run away or reared in protest.

So, all that said, make sure your horse is physically fine, make sure he's not truly challenging you (I think you will probably always have to be firm with him) and then enjoy him for his unique personality
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 - 6:24 pm:

Paula,
why don't you fill out your profile with the information on feeding, pasture turnout, time out, deworming, etc...it may give us some ideas of specific recommendations. Once you have it done post to let us know.
DrO
New Member:
Pjduback

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 - 7:08 pm:

Dr O - profile updated.
Diane - He paws everywhere!
Also chews on anything!
None of these are issues for me I love him just the way he is. I just want to be sure they're not signs of something going wrong medically.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 6:08 am:

I agree with the assessment this is pretty typical horse behavior if they consider themselves the "dominant beast in the room" or threatened. Hunger and lack of exercise will exacerbate the behavior.
DrO
Member:
Erika

Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 8:16 am:

Weirdly enough, my most submissive horse is the one who pins his ears the most!
I think it's because he is used to everyone pushing him around and he wears his tough face hoping it will work. But he's just not really tough enough to follow through on any kind of threat. He wouldn't hurt a fly.
Maybe they are just like some people who walk around with a "mug" on, ha ha!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 5:45 pm:

Not odd at all Erika: he often feels threatened.
DrO
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 7:12 pm:

Erika mine is bottom of the ladder and he pins his ears back also trying to scare the others though it doesn't work. We laugh at his attempt to look mean as the poor thing stays at bottom rung. At least he tries, poor baby. He only does it at people at feed time and all you say is ahh and he becomes his submissive self. He tries every time though never gives up trying
Member:
Annaspop

Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2007 - 8:41 pm:

Interesting Paula,
I once met a Morgan that not only acted the same as yours, but passed it on to his offspring-- he was gelded because of that. The breeder made her decision to geld after she found one of the stallion's sons neglected by his then owner. The owner was afraid of him, even though the colt never did anything aggressive. He would just look ugly at people.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2007 - 6:20 pm:

Hey! My pseudo-cranky guy is a Morgan too. They are usually such gentle souls that maybe hey have to look tough to survive.
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2007 - 8:47 pm:

There is a new mare at our barn that has been nicknamed vinegar. She looks like she wants to attack everyone horses and people. She is now in a heard and I don't think she has ever been in that situation, . I think she is basically scared and trying to act tuff. No one else thinks so. The other day in the pasture I gave her a treat and walked away. She looked shocked and took a few steps towards me still unsure.I believe in my heart this mare is doing it as she thinks its her only way of survival. but i can see her turning around.
Does your horse do or act this way to the other horses? that would explain his personality more. If he does it with you alone then there is a small possibility that its something else. Mine does it with horses and me but he is gentle as a lamb. This other mare looks like she would charge, but I have the feeling in my gut shes a scared sole.
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