Comments | equestrian: Cold Weather Craziness?

acoustic11 in equestrian

Cold Weather Craziness?

Apr 19, 2010 13:39

I'm posting this for a friend of mine who is new to LJ and can't figure out how to join the community. I've ridden with her my whole life and she is a very capable rider and trainer. However, neither of us can figure out what is up with her latest project. She's hoping that someone here has dealt with a horse like this before or as any ideas as ( Read more... )

behaviour issues, advice, frustrations, bolting, bucking

Leave a comment

Back to all threads

lurath April 19 2010, 18:05:49 UTC

He MAY have arthritis and/or joint issues. I know that my bad joints are especially touchy when the weather and pressure changes a lot day-to-day. Have you had him thoroughly gone-over by a vet? As an OTTB I think that NOT having some kind of issue is what's rare, not the health issues themselves.

Either that or he is just an extreme case of cool-weather freshness. It does seems suspicious and unusual that he seems to get MEAN rather than just hyper, however.

Perhaps this is why he was at auction?

acoustic11 April 19 2010, 18:19:57 UTC

Yeah, now we know why he was at auction. He has been looked over pretty well by a vet, although I don't think they had Xrays done. He's totally sound, but it does seem like that's something to consider.

lurath April 19 2010, 18:23:05 UTC

My barn owner has a horse whose behavior changes radically towards being rather bitchy (more so during cold weather) and was totally sound. They finally discovered that her hocks were having issues.

If it was just bucking and being spooky and fresh, I'd be less likely to be pain-related.

It wouldn't hurt to rule it out, because joint pain can be helped and fixed!

young_modern April 19 2010, 20:43:47 UTC

if it was arthritis or some similar physical issue, he probably wouldn't be leaping and running around quite like that. he'd be more stiff, cranky, unwilling to go. you'd also see signs of it on the ground, like aggressive behaviour while being tacked up or having blankets changed.

lurath April 19 2010, 20:48:04 UTC

Good point. I have known horses in pain to act up like this, however, including horses taking off even with joint pain. I guess it could be related to avoidance. Seems like it's a good thing to write off before making sure he always has a solid rider who can school him on cool days!

Back to all threads