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Posted on Thursday, Jan 18, 2001 - 12:33 pm:

Okay here's the story. I own a 6 year old TB who has recently started acting very moody when I ride. Previous to me buying him he was a hunter. Right now we are working on his flat work. For the last 2 weeks he has been tossing his head, ears flat back when asking for trot to canter transitions and little bucks. I'm not sure what to do. The saddle fit is great (I have tried all of my saddles and changed 4 different bits) etc... I have called the vet to have him come look at him and in the mean time I have given him a little break. I should also mention that I poked and prodded him everywhere and it seems that none of his muscles are soar. I would like opinions on what to do.

Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2001 - 7:33 am:

hello Sarah,
I am afraid a description of "moody" does not help us at this end very much. I think you have already done your best next step: after reviewing what you think could be the common problems you should call the vet.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 19, 2001 - 8:08 am:

Hi Sarah,

I think if this has come on so suddenly, it is most likely a physical problem. I would certainly ask the vet to take a look at him, but you may find he admits that backs are a specialised area and you need an expert to look at him - that's what my vet told me. Your gelding could have rolled awkwardly, twisted himself to clear a jump, just about anything and it wouldn't show up when you checked the fit of your saddle. Also, have you had the fit checked by a professional saddler? Its just possible that some of the stuffing has moved and is making a lump or a wrinkle which could irritate him.

My mare had to have her back sorted out last year after a fall. I knew she was wrong as her leg action was different immediately and the muscles above her tail were lop-sided. I have pretty sensitive fingers and gave her a good feel all over but nothing felt wrong to me. When the backman came he said the muscles on that side of her hindquarters were so tight and in so much spasm that he was amazed she wasn't lame. So use professionals rather than yourself even if it costs a bit.

Good luck and let us know how you both go on.

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2001 - 10:31 pm:

hi Sarah,

there are any number of reasons why your horse could be acting this way. I list a few that spring to mind:

1. poor fitting tack, or something rubbing wrongly.
2. bored, bored, bored
3. resistance to you asking him to go forward (i.e. dominance issue)
4. unbalance in him for the transitions and/or you are unbalanced.
5. not properly warmed up and supple
6. difficulty with picking up a particular lead
7. tension in the rider
8. use of hind end muscles that have not been worked properly until now and so are tight, stiff, etc.


I'm sure that there are a myriad more, but at this hour my brain has run out. what does your coach think? Does he do this on the lunge line without tack? Does he do it on the lunge line with tack? Does he do it when someone else is asking him?

Keep checking

Teresa

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2001 - 9:06 am:

I have given the horse a week off and rode him last night. He's only miserable to one side, which used to be his "good side" The other side he is fine. Yes he does this both under tack and without. He is being trained very lightly for dressage. He gets ridden 4 times a week no more then 1/2 hour. I am still waiting for the vet to come up. I have also called the dentist to come and check his teeth (however, he's away until Febuary)

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2001 - 11:49 am:

I should also mention that this horse has been trained by an Olympic rider and a coach for the Canadian equestrian team. So, needless to say he is very well trained and prior to this episode he has never stepped a foot wrong. Therefor, I am definitely thinking that this is a physical problem.

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2001 - 7:29 pm:

My horse developed a problem turning to the right with head tossing, resistance etc. Although we had checked her teeth on a regular basis, that's what it was. There were actually abrasions on the side on her mouth(on the inside). Once my vet corrected the problem, she went back to normal.

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2001 - 6:25 am:

Just thought I would add to what is already wonderful information.
On two different occassions my horse had received bad shoe jobs with 1 hot nail the first time & two hot nails the second time. He would walk around like nothing was wrong unless someone was on him. When weight was put on his back, he would throw his head back and forth and pin his ears back and I couldn't get him to untrack. Due to just having him shoed both times, I immediately called the farrier and told him something wasn't right. He did several test and nothing showed him to have hot nails either time. This horse could take alot of pain due to being a ex-race horse and my pony horse. He had learned to bear alot. But this time it was too much. I demanded the farrier to pull the shoes. Sure enough that's what it was both times. Needless to say I told the farrier never to step foot back on the place.
Good luck, hope you get it figured out.
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