Hello All,

 

Havent been on in a while, I know the Summer was definately slow. So heres my issue. My 14 year old hunter has been acting very strange lately.

 We did some local showing throughout the summer, and had a blast, he did great. However, about 3 weeks ago I was riding and he refused a jump. Let me follow this by saying that he has refused a jump MAYBE three times in the 6 years I have had him. He also has picked bucking back up, and would do it even when we were not jumping. this horse does have a history of bucking after the occasional jump or when he is excited on the trails. It has been very different lately...and he will buck at a walk sometimes. They have been small crow bucks, but still.

 Clearly, the first thing to check is if he is in pain. When his behavior continued several days later, I gave him a little time off. I stopped jumping in thought that he is due for his hock injections. I sense some back soreness. I have talked with my vet and trainer, and my vet is set to come this weekend. Now, what I was wondering from all you horse peeps is...besides back or hock pain, are there any hoof/navicular/nuerological problems this may sound like? Orion is a good natured guy, definately with a screw loose, but he has been especially angry lately. Now, this could be a mix of the fact that I only ride on weekends now due to my work schedule and how early it gets dark. Or, the chilly weather, OR back pain...or worse :/

My trainer rode him yesterday, just to make sure I wasn't doing somthing, or ...crazy haha. She had all of the same experiences, sensing he was very angry, and he would try to "run away" after the jump and land far right. Probably from pain.

 has anyone gone through something like this with thier horse?

I appreciate any advice or tips in this process...I truly hope it is something that chiropractic and injections can fix :/

 

Thanks!

Check you saddle fit - and check your saddle for damage. A broken or warped tree can cause you horse a significant amount of pain - especially back pain. Damage can sometimes occur without you even noticing it or anything big happening. Check your tack out thoroughly and try swapping it out or riding bareback and seeing if he seems happier. 

Thumbs up on getting the vet involved.  It does sound like he may be in pain.

My gelding just recently had problems with an attitude while being worked, and at first I thought he was just pulling a "I don't wanna" sort of thing, because he's done that in the past, so I worked him harder; then, when that didn't help, I gave him a week off.  When he started acting colicky once in awhile, I contacted my vet, and he said it could be a number of things and suggested taking him off grain for awhile to check for ulcers.  My farrier, however, told me that a vet he trims for said how the horses in the area were colicking a lot because the grass was diminishing, and while rooting around for grass they'd eat a lot of dirt and sand--in other words, sand colic.  And that seems to be what was wrong with my guy.  He's on free choice hay and he's now given up rooting for grass, and has no problems.  If your horse is turned out a lot, maybe that's his problem, too.  I doubt it--it sounds more like back pain or abdominal pain, like you said--but it's a possibility.

Let me know how it turns out!!!

you've got the vet coming, so, you're covering it all.  also, i agree, the saddle should be checked out.  also a slight possibility--an abcess in a hoof?

my horse's personality changed and it was months before the abcess showed itself.  i had no idea it was there.  but, the sweet natured horse i got turned into a total jerk.  then once the abcess was emptied of fluid, he showed his nice side once again.

 I think it all sounds right in line for hock pain.  My guy would get the same way when it was time for his hock injections.  They can only try so much before they have to say, hey lady, enough!  You have done the right thing, take a step back, give him a break, and treat his body.  Hock pain also often causes back pain as they try to compensate.  So I'd let the injections settle in for a week or so, bring him back into work, and then see what you  have.

Make sure that your saddle fits properly on him!

Thanks for the comments everyone! He is doing much better, I did his hocks and also his stifles, which flexed sore on his flexion test. He is moving like butter now, so smooth and using his hind end very well. He is still very up and has continued with the bucking, but I'm pretty sure this is due to me not getting to ride much at all now :( by the way, does anyone else get super depressed about riding in the winter? Man, this dark at 4 o clock stuff really cramps my style with work and all. Hopefully once I get back to riding more, and he gets in better shape, things will be back to normal.

 Glad to hear a positive update!  It is hard to stay motivated in the dark during the winter -- I try to focus on how much more awesome my horse will be come spring if I do all this hard work now!

it is depressing, the short days.  i am lucky, i can sneak out of work in the day to be with my horse and continue work when it gets dark at 4;30PM.  still hate that though.

You are very lucky! I do not have an indoor or even lighted arena, and I work until 4 or 5 everyday, and by then it is pitch black here. I am just counting down the days until spring. I am genuinely a happier person when I get to ride. Much more balance and calm. So..I feel sorry for the people around me the next few months!