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| i bought a gelding with a alley issue. super nice gelding, runs 1d, fancy broke. will run in anything and run the same thing every time. but his alley way problem is bad… and it is getting worse. He will walk in the arena, lope circles, stop back, etc no problem but once you ask him to go for a run its all hell breaks loose. well today it got really bad. he decided to run back to trailer, and rear up and we almost caught the end of my flat bed trailer. It is getting so scary i don't know what to do. he isn't hurting, doesn't need chiro. i do feed a 13% protein !2% fat feed. i have NO GRASS so i HAVE to feed a feed with high fat. i keep him legged up (hot walker) and thats it. no tuning no nothing but i don't know what to do. please someone give me some kind of idea?? i have thought about just selling him but don't know where to price him at with his problem? but like i said he is a 1D horse if you can get him in the alley. please someone help. any supplements, etc? some said resurpen in the muscle every 28 days?? HELP!! |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| ok you lost me if he does everything nice 4xcept when you ask for a run why were u running him at home? |
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| i don't run him at home. ever. I had someone come look at him today and he reared up, refused etc. he was completely fine until asked to cruise through. this was the first time he had ever reared up and acted so bad. so i am trying to stop it before it becomes a habit. i was told he had a "slight" alley issue but this isn't so "slight" |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I may have misunderstood you: so, you only ride him to run barrels at home and in competition? His exercise otherwise is a hot walker? That sounds like you are blowing him up. If he is really broke, why don't you ride him away from the arena and quit working the barrels on him. And as for the alley problem, work him out of the alley and let him catch his breath in the alley and don't run him until he calms down. That may take awhile. |
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| no no no.. lol i never work him at home. i only put him on the hot walker at home to keep him legged up. and when i want to go run somewhere i take him. i never exhib, i warm up away from the arena. i keep him as calm as possible. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Your horse is blown up, he needs to be taken off barrels and just trail ride for a long while, I would keep him away from the arena, sounds like to me that's all the riding you do on him is arena, and now hes burned out,, Sorry this is the way it sounds to me  |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Do you know his history, how he got blown up?? Was he run too much or while hurting? We had a mare, worked great for about a year then had alley issues. We did not blow her up, had her vetted several times. She started rearing up and kicking. I would not put my girls on her anymore and turned her out. Past owners tracked us down, wanted to give her a retirement home. Told us how much she won for them but they had to drag her in with another horse while someone on the ground whipped her. I was disgusted. Sometimes horses have a good reason for what they do but none needs to risk getting hurt. My trainer has turned around several blown up horses and turned them back into winners but it takes her a year at the minimum. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Somehow you need to make the alley way a good place to be for him. I used to take my horse in the alley and just stand there during drags and fed him a few cookies and have even gotten off and loosened my cinch in the alleyway, much like I have seen ropers do to their horses in the roping box. I have also worked them away from the arena then walked up and down the alley to catch their breath. |
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| for the post part i know his past. he started acting like this and was taken to girl for her to fix, i tracked her down she fixed him. took her a long time just taking him to shows showing him he didn't have to always work etc and he was fine, girl sold him to the people i just bought him from. They ran him consistently never had any problems. i don't run every weekend. not even every month. its not like i take him and run him every single where. and i do trail ride, i don't ever take him in the arena. i trail ride, long trot up my road sometimes, hot walker or lunging. i try to switch it up. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-16 4:33 PM no no no.. lol i never work him at home. i only put him on the hot walker at home to keep him legged up. and when i want to go run somewhere i take him. i never exhib, i warm up away from the arena. i keep him as calm as possible.
I think you need to do a little more than just put him on the walker to keep him legged up. I would be going for some nice trail rides or in the mountains or something. I think he is getting worse because he is associating you riding him to running since that is the only time you are on his back. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| If I was this horse I would be grumpy too.
My guess the horse has depression, and also ulcers to top it off as he does not have the ability to graze.
Ulcers can exacerbate alley issues.
You say the horse is sound, how do you know that?
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Have you had him to a lameness locator and a good vet?
Otherwise, pretty much everything you've said indicates a blown up horse that needs a different job for at least a year.
Do you have video? |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I would vet him and treat for ulcers start riding and doing different things. Take hime to,shows ride in the arena and get off of him in the alley you may even ace him to relax him make that alley his friend, even at big shows ride him hard get him the holding pen get off give him a cookie, dont ride long but do,it several times. But if he is hurting or has ulcers you are defeating the purpose.
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| i just bought him 2 weeks ago. i know he's sound because our vet told us so. which is a very nice vet. he did x-rays lameness exams etc. down to his eyes being dilated so they could make sure nothing was wrong there. he is not un sound. if i decide to give him time off what should i do? turn him out or ride him? he is a little spooky sometimes. i have a huge 102 acre lot with some cows and bucking horses i can turn him out in? I've never had a "blown up" horse. Also, i don't have any videos. Today was the first day he acted like this. Normally he just spins around once and walks right in. but like i said i don't run a lot. maybe once a month sometimes 2 literally lol |
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| sorry actually almost 3 weeks ago**** |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-16 6:49 PM i just bought him 2 weeks ago. i know he's sound because our vet told us so. which is a very nice vet. he did x-rays lameness exams etc. down to his eyes being dilated so they could make sure nothing was wrong there. he is not un sound. if i decide to give him time off what should i do? turn him out or ride him? he is a little spooky sometimes. i have a huge 102 acre lot with some cows and bucking horses i can turn him out in? I've never had a "blown up" horse. Also, i don't have any videos. Today was the first day he acted like this. Normally he just spins around once and walks right in. but like i said i don't run a lot. maybe once a month sometimes 2 literally lol
IMO giving a horse time off can still mean riding him, I do everything with my horses, trail ride, chase cows, work auction mart....if you have 102 acres go just ride in that field, get him away and spend time together! I would also consider if what he's being fed is proper for the amount of riding he's getting......good luck! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Okay if you bought the horse two weeks ago you are likely doing something accidentially that is setting him off. You two don't have a partnership and you need someone on the ground who can coach you with him. Can you get a trainer or coach to safely help you? Find someone who is experienced and not just someone who is inexpensive.
If he didn't act like this with his previous rider find out what he was fed and how he was worked and see if there are any changes you can make there.
I'd have your saddle and bit checked to make sure that fits and start treating him for ulcers. |
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | It sounds like you've brought a problem sad to say. And yes you can try respeine or fluphenazine. It may help with your problem. |
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| okay. i will treat for ulcers and see what happens. thank you for everyones help! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 742
| I am not getting this straight. You have only had him for almost 3 weeks yet you talk about all the stuff you do to leg him up but then say he only gets on the hot walker. Huh? You just bought him a few weeks ago and he just freaked on you WHILE you were showing him to someone to buy?? Double huh?  |
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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
| Let me know if you want to get rid of him! No advice besides get away from the pattern unless you are walking! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 927
Location: Iowa | see if your vet will give you a script for chlorpromazine. Use it on him to take him into the arena, but don't run a pattern. Just walk out into the pattern and stop, get off and let out the cinch. Walk away with him. Do any circles and work outside the arena. The chlorpromazine takes away the anxiety. I would still get another vet check done on him and check out your saddle with a person who is knowledgeable in fit. |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| kramerica - 2014-10-16 8:50 PM
I am not getting this straight. You have only had him for almost 3 weeks yet you talk about all the stuff you do to leg him up but then say he only gets on the hot walker. Huh? You just bought him a few weeks ago and he just freaked on you WHILE you were showing him to someone to buy?? Double huh?
Me too. Mucho confused. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
Location: Somewhere Over The Rainbow | GLP - 2014-10-16 5:45 PM
Somehow you need to make the alley way a good place to be for him. I used to take my horse in the alley and just stand there during drags and fed him a few cookies and have even gotten off and loosened my cinch in the alleyway, much like I have seen ropers do to their horses in the roping box. I have also worked them away from the arena then walked up and down the alley to catch their breath.
I rope and the box is our horse's 'happy place' . They get worked in the pasture , the arena , etc but as long as there're in the box they get to rest . We also get off , unboot , loosen the cinch , etc. in the box . Lots of just walking in and out of the alley can help too . Walk in and don't even acknowledge the barrels , walk out , and repeat until he's calm . |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
| TurnandBurn (: - 2014-10-16 9:08 PM
GLP - 2014-10-16 5:45 PM
Somehow you need to make the alley way a good place to be for him. I used to take my horse in the alley and just stand there during drags and fed him a few cookies and have even gotten off and loosened my cinch in the alleyway, much like I have seen ropers do to their horses in the roping box. I have also worked them away from the arena then walked up and down the alley to catch their breath.
I rope and the box is our horse's 'happy place' . They get worked in the pasture , the arena , etc but as long as there're in the box they get to rest . We also get off , unboot , loosen the cinch , etc. in the box . Lots of just walking in and out of the alley can help too . Walk in and don't even acknowledge the barrels , walk out , and repeat until he's calm .
Plus since you just got him, he doesn't know you. I give mine time to settle in. |
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Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | This is totally from my experience but sometimes horses just don't like to barrel race.......even with turnout pasture time trail rides never work on the pattern etc all the above they just go sour and all the vets, adjustments etc can't fix them.....I wonder if it's just the stress of competition.....oh and did i mention checked for uclers.
Been there done that got a couple T shirts. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | CJE - 2014-10-16 9:42 PM This is totally from my experience but sometimes horses just don't like to barrel race.......even with turnout pasture time trail rides never work on the pattern etc all the above they just go sour and all the vets, adjustments etc can't fix them.....I wonder if it's just the stress of competition.....oh and did i mention checked for uclers.
Been there done that got a couple T shirts.
I have one that is bred to run barrels, but he hates them so hes in the back pasture with my retired gelding and broodmare and he is happy just being out there. Hes not in the same shape that he used to be when I had him up front when he was on feed, hes not thin but in pasture shape I guess you would call it,  |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | horse was FINE ... until she bought him 2 -3 weeks ago and now acts blown up... something must be the riding or he hasnt settled in .. id not be drugging yet.. try to figure out why.. let him settle in.. try to get to know each other.. an styles.. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | I am always blown away by the statement I never work them on barrels?! Seriously this is why horses get "Issues"! Hot horses need structure and routine. They don't need pasture ridden! ?? |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | If I'm reading correctly....the only time the horse goes to the arena is to make a run. Then you wonder why he has alley issues? HELLOOOOOOOOO!! |
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Regular
Posts: 71
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-16 5:10 PM
i bought a gelding with a alley issue. super nice gelding, runs 1d, fancy broke. will run in anything and run the same thing every time. but his alley way problem is bad… and it is getting worse. He will walk in the arena, lope circles, stop back, etc no problem but once you ask him to go for a run its all hell breaks loose. well today it got really bad. he decided to run back to trailer, and rear up and we almost caught the end of my flat bed trailer. It is getting so scary i don't know what to do. he isn't hurting, doesn't need chiro. i do feed a 13% protein !2% fat feed. i have NO GRASS so i HAVE to feed a feed with high fat. i keep him legged up (hot walker) and thats it. no tuning no nothing but i don't know what to do. please someone give me some kind of idea?? i have thought about just selling him but don't know where to price him at with his problem? but like i said he is a 1D horse if you can get him in the alley. please someone help. any supplements, etc? some said resurpen in the muscle every 28 days?? HELP!!
This is how my bleeder acted prior to figuring out what was going on with him
Treated him with antibiotics gave him 3 months off and then pulled him up and scoped him and made sure he was clear of infection
Legged him back up - he is still a little hot but goes right in
May want to check that out |
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| If you decide to move him let me know. I love these types of horses. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 962
| I would have a vet who knew what they were looking for scope his throat. One of my vets who worked on the track said that flap surgery can alleviate a lot of anxiety in barrel horses who might not be able to breathe the entire run leading to panic and alley issues. I had a horse he did the tie back on and it did seem to lessen his anxiety and improved his times by more than a second. To clarify, my horse was nothing like the one described here. If that was the problem, he would need breezed away from the barrels to let him know that running didn't equal no air. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | mollibtexan - 2014-10-18 6:09 AM I am always blown away by the statement I never work them on barrels?! Seriously this is why horses get "Issues"! Hot horses need structure and routine. They don't need pasture ridden! ?? this blew me away......my horses never see the arena at home (unless they are just getting started) and when i go to a jackpot i do not take my horses in the arena, and i have NEVER had a blown up or hot nasty horse, my horses know that when we are goin in the arena its to work not piss around loping mindless circle after circle and to get picked on constantly(not saying this is the case here but i see it all the time) i ride out in the pasture every ride from my 2 yr old to my 15 yr olds.......thats just my 2 cents
as to my opinion on the op's horse...ULCERS, would be my first check
m
Edited by mruggles 2014-10-17 10:16 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-16 6:33 PM
no no no.. lol i never work him at home. i only put him on the hot walker at home to keep him legged up. and when i want to go run somewhere i take him. i never exhib, i warm up away from the arena. i keep him as calm as possible.
you should exhib and put him in the alley way, let him set there, show him its not a bad place to be. When they drag go and stand in the alley way. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| How in the world do you know anything about your horse? You've had him 2-3 weeks, you don't ride him and then expect him to function at a race. I don't feel like a walker is going to really keep your horse in running shape. Racehorses might go on a walker, but they certainly train on the track as well. It takes some people 6 months to a year to get "with" a horse, and that's riding them all the time. Maybe they don't practice barrels all the time, but you don't have to! But they are in tune with their horse because they've gotten to know them by spending time with them!
Get yourself out there, spend the time and effort to get to know your horse, and know how he reacts to your actions, as well as learn his quirks! Same reason people can't ride a horse that's been at the trainers for months...they don't "know" the horse and their actions are different than their trainers! |
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Location: Keeping up with the numbers! | Contact the buyers you purchased from. Ask them about the situation. Make sure you are on the same feeding regimen. Stop putting this horse on the hot walker and ride the horse. I agree with the above posters this could be ulcers. Why are you showing a horse you just purchased 2-3 weeks ago? Just curious. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| Whats wrong with showing a horse you bought 2-3 weeks ago? If its a finished 1-2D horse then shouldnt be a problem. If I bought a 1D horse, tried the horse, I would expect to be able to enter them same day as purchase if necessary. My guess is the horse may have been drugged DURING the sales process, now has worn off. |
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| FLITASTIC - 2014-10-17 12:24 PM
Whats wrong with showing a horse you bought 2-3 weeks ago? If its a finished 1-2D horse then shouldnt be a problem. If I bought a 1D horse, tried the horse, I would expect to be able to enter them same day as purchase if necessary. My guess is the horse may have been drugged DURING the sales process, now has worn off.
Why is it that the horse is always DRUGGED in these situations? I have taken several blown up 1-D horses from people who couldn't ride to the horses style and within a short time the horse has gate issues. From my experience, 95% of the time the horse is having gate issues because of the rider. Some people are not able to understand what each horse needs or doesn't need; the rider has no feel for soundness or anxiety issues and just keeps pounding away doing the same thing that the horse doesn't like. The OP states this horse has a history of gate issues- I would imagine its the riding style that is setting him off not that he was drugged by the previous owner. |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Does your horse have access to ANY forage? I agree with others, it could quite possibly/most likely be ulcers. If he is stressed, has nothing to keep his gut moving (forage), and is only eating a highly concentrated feed.. That could easily turn a "slight" gate issue into a huge one because he is HURTING. Also, a far as the feed possibly making him hot: neither protein or fat produce "hot" behavior. Starch makes horses hot. Check the level of starch in your feed. High fat+low starch= happy, calm horses. I hope you get everything worked out! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | bscanchaser - 2014-10-17 1:29 PM
FLITASTIC - 2014-10-17 12:24 PM
Whats wrong with showing a horse you bought 2-3 weeks ago? If its a finished 1-2D horse then shouldnt be a problem. If I bought a 1D horse, tried the horse, I would expect to be able to enter them same day as purchase if necessary. My guess is the horse may have been drugged DURING the sales process, now has worn off.
Why is it that the horse is always DRUGGED in these situations? I have taken several blown up 1-D horses from people who couldn't ride to the horses style and within a short time the horse has gate issues. From my experience, 95% of the time the horse is having gate issues because of the rider. Some people are not able to understand what each horse needs or doesn't need; the rider has no feel for soundness or anxiety issues and just keeps pounding away doing the same thing that the horse doesn't like. The OP states this horse has a history of gate issues- I would imagine its the riding style that is setting him off not that he was drugged by the previous owner.
I am going to agree in part with alot of this. I have a horse that you can sit in the alley way all day long and the horse will go to sleep, however I also have a gelding that is totally different in temperament, if you sit in or around the alley before your run he turns into a basket case. I tried doing all the things that have suggested on here to calm an alley anxious horse, it did not work for him, only made him worse. I did this because it had been drilled into me that your horse must be calm and settled anytime you are near the alley or you have a crazy barrel horse. The more i did these things the more it caused him to start jumping up and whirling, not wanting to enter the alley. Then I realized, you know what I don't like sitting in the alley or near the alley myself all that much either so why should I force my horse who doesn't want to and in the process turn him into an un useable barrel horse. I warm him up off by ourselves somewhere, then head towards the alley a run or two before my turn but stay just far enough away to keep him settled, make my run and then leave and go cool him down somewhere else. Works just fine for him. I can put my 9 year old niece on him after that and he is as calm as can be. Got rid of the ucler issues as well by changing my routine. Horses are not one size fits all just like people aren't. Take some time to figure out what works for him and see if you can figure it out and of course absolutely rule out pain or ulcers. That can cause any horse to refuse or act up. I also agree, under normal circumstance, that if a horse is a finished horse regardless of the D it runs in, you should run as soon as you feel comfortable, that's what a finished horse is for. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | I would be careful accusing someone of drugging a horse because it has alley issues. I bought one that apparently had NO alley issues what so ever but after bringing him home he started refusing at the gate and balking. As it turns out he's a horse that needs to build a relationship with his rider and now that we have that he's good to go for me and gives me everything he's got.
I've also bought horses with known alley issues totally prepared to work on them but bring them home and the alley issues are gone completely for me. Just a change in rider/ feed or way of doing things was all that was needed.
Horses like people can change for the good or bad in their new environments so before jumping to conclusions give the horse time to get settled. Most people take almost a full year of riding their horse (some less) to truly figure out how to work as an effective team the compliments one and other.
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Location: Keeping up with the numbers! | Just for clarification....Showing horse...I interpreted as showing to sell the horse. Which is why I was confused I thought the poster was showing the horse to a buyer after only owning 2-3 weeks. Running the horse in mind would be taking to a jackpot or rodeo and making a run. And yes, if I purchased a finished horse I would expect to be able to go and make a run. |
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| i didn't come to this group to be bashed about my horse, obvsly i want to FIX what is wrong or i wouldn't be asking for help from such rude people that don't know me nor my horse. (doesn't apply to everyone) i am trying my best to fix everything. i know he is sound i know he is utd on teeth feet etc. he has been vetted and nothing was found. i don't ride him because his pervious owners didn't either, that wasn't something i just decided to do. And he is on a round bale 24-7. he doesn't have ANY grass. i will treat with ulcers tonight. his feed is max 13.0 starch. Also i was just told, literally just told 5 mins ago by a old old owner that had him (years ago) that when she got him his feet where bad. he had x-rays done and he had some changes to the coffin bone but everything was fixed there when he got him. I called and made ANOTHER appointment with 2 different vets to get 2 different options. I'm not trying to drug him, i have a terrible anxitity disorder so i know what its like to be nervous, i take a prescribed medicine and i don't consider myself "drugged" when i need to take my medicine. Also i never said he was FINE till i got him, his ex ex old owners had the same problem, (which i think i already mentioned this) she said he was dangerous. but she fixed him. after she sold him, she says she didn't know what happen to him. So he has had this problem before. No i am not trying to sell him. Not yet at least. Yes i should be able to run him now or whenever, doesn't matter if I've owned him for 1 week or 10 weeks. i paid over $15.000 for this horse, so yes i wanted to run him whenever i could. Had i known he was going to try to kill me, maybe i would i have reconsidered. please let me clarify.. He is SOLID, FINISHED. makes the SAME run EVERYTIME. no blowing off barrels so taking steps by barrels. NOTHINg. its getting him into the arena is the problem. so please if anyone has any other ideas. and doesn't want to be rude to me, please again, help me. |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Could very well be your anxiety is transferring over to him. After you warm him up, get off of him until it's time to go into the arena, then he won't be able to feel your anxiety. |
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| that is exactly what i do. when i get to a barrel race i warm up away from the arena, as far as i can get get. take him to the trailer, loosen his cinch, then when its my drag i had walk and 1 or two before i get on and go. like i said though, I've never had a terrible problem with him until yesterday. normally he'll spin 1 time and walk right in. yesterday it was really bad with him rearing taking off to the trailer etc |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 1:12 PM that is exactly what i do. when i get to a barrel race i warm up away from the arena, as far as i can get get. take him to the trailer, loosen his cinch, then when its my drag i had walk and 1 or two before i get on and go. like i said though, I've never had a terrible problem with him until yesterday. normally he'll spin 1 time and walk right in. yesterday it was really bad with him rearing taking off to the trailer etc
How many times have you personally made a run at a race on this horse?
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Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | Generally you can not treat ulcers in a short period of time. If the horse does infact have ulcers it can take time to heal them, that means time away from barrel racing.
He absolutely could be a bleeder, as mentioned, remember they do not always bleed out/visible. He could be internally bleeding and dreading going into the arena because of it.
Yes, with the second/third opinions from a good lameness vet.
And, when you find what the problem is, give him time to realize it has been fixed. This will not be an over night cure.
I too purchased a gate soar 1D barrel horse. Even if you headed in the generally direction of the arena the horse began to come undone. Chiro, Ulcer treatment, & Hock Injections followed with time helped her. |
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| yesterday was the 2nd time. I've taken him 1 other time to a rodeo just to hang out while i ran another horse. (which he was fine) i even rode him around just walking letting him get a good look and he was fine. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Can you give him another job for awhile? And why did they not ride him during the week? I can only imagine how boring it would be to walk and trot circles everyday... I'm not attacking you, just wanted to know if they gave you a reason as to why? If he were mine I'd get him out doing something else during the week, maybe a couple days take him into the arena and work on drills, keep things nice and calm... |
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Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 1:21 PM yesterday was the 2nd time. I've taken him 1 other time to a rodeo just to hang out while i ran another horse. (which he was fine) i even rode him around just walking letting him get a good look and he was fine.
This would be make think its nerves. Not to point fingers and we can all say we dont get that nervous, but we all know when we hear our name called we get a little shiver. I had a gelding who I ran for years, the only time he ever refused the gate was when I got nervous, completely flat out not going in, not if someone tried to lead him or with another horse. As soon as I got the mental game undercontrol, we were set.
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Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 2:12 PM that is exactly what i do. when i get to a barrel race i warm up away from the arena, as far as i can get get. take him to the trailer, loosen his cinch, then when its my drag i had walk and 1 or two before i get on and go. like i said though, I've never had a terrible problem with him until yesterday. normally he'll spin 1 time and walk right in. yesterday it was really bad with him rearing taking off to the trailer etc
When you go to the arena does he usually have a buddy horse walk with him to the alley? If not maybe try that.
But like others have said check for ulcers or bleeding or something of the sort that you can't visually see on the outside. |
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| i will admit i get nervous. just as you said, everyone does. but i do try to keep himself under control knowing how he is. but after yesterday i am more scared than nervous. he will hurt someone. and the didn't ride him because he is just such a handful, he is still hot even outside of the arena, it is the most annoying thing trying to trail ride a horse that does nothing but wants to run. |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 3:29 PM
i will admit i get nervous. just as you said, everyone does. but i do try to keep himself under control knowing how he is. but after yesterday i am more scared than nervous. he will hurt someone. and the didn't ride him because he is just such a handful, he is still hot even outside of the arena, it is the most annoying thing trying to trail ride a horse that does nothing but wants to run.
pony him? anything to give his mind something else to think about...
Edited by FlyingJT 2014-10-17 3:33 PM
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 3:29 PM i will admit i get nervous. just as you said, everyone does. but i do try to keep himself under control knowing how he is. but after yesterday i am more scared than nervous. he will hurt someone. and the didn't ride him because he is just such a handful, he is still hot even outside of the arena, it is the most annoying thing trying to trail ride a horse that does nothing but wants to run.
I'll offer the lamest advice possible... Just ride him for a while. Don't enter. Just take him out and build a relationship. Start off slow. He senses your fear and is feeding off it. I know you said the previous owners didn't ride him and just stuck on the walker. That doesn't mean you need to the same.
My hubby has a young horse that he claims is a "dead head." I had never gotten on this horse before until the other night. "Dead head" would NOT be my description of him. But he was feeding off my nervous energy. I would get comfortable with the horse first. Then go from there. It may be nothing more than your nervous energy. |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Nateracer - 2014-10-17 3:06 PM Could very well be your anxiety is transferring over to him. After you warm him up, get off of him until it's time to go into the arena, then he won't be able to feel your anxiety.
I would have to agree with Nate.
And like another poster said just take him and ride for a few months just in the pasture.
I sure hope this all works out for you. |
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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | I bought a horse a few years ago, that I was told that "would go any speed I wanted him to and was quiet." Boy, did I get a rude and DANGEROUS awaking at my first show with him. The arena did not have a alley and you had to walk in and get lined up. I still remember him on both hind legs and leaping. Come to find out later the horse was totally blown-up on the barrel pattern and it did not matter if the arena had an alley or not. That first summer all I did was work on shoeing issues and just hauling to shows and walking around the arena. If we entered, we only ran poles (more like a fast lope). He was fine to warm-up, and walk quietly in/out, but he knew when it was go time. We also spent the summer trail riding but that was a totally new concept to him too. I don't know what the special change was but I noticed a HUGE difference in him when he started to trust me.
Fast forward to today, my 13 year old daughter now runs him. We have learned that he is NEVER going to be a horse to "hang out" around the arena and he has to be led in, or he is not going. He runs fine once he is in there. He will still walk in/out all day long if there are other horses in there BUT when it is just him with ANY objects in the arena, someone better be leading him (He once had tried to blast in full speed during a trail class). He is a DEAD head in the arena when warming-up or working some refresher exercises.
Really started to figure out this year that making sure he is chrio before each show, is a HUGE factor with him. He will REALLY get upset at the gate when his hip is out. We have also learned, you do his warm-up, run and put him up. He is not a horse you go in an lope a bunch of circles on while the tractor drags and he is not ran unless it is for the points or money. No exhibition runs, unless he has not been run for a while, then it is one and done. I was always taught, once a horse is finished you don't work the pattern and you keep them tuned up out on the trail.
It has been three years and we are still trying to figure this horse out at times. Sometimes it takes time for the horse to trust you and get to know each other. It may take a while of trial and error to figure it all out with him, not to mention a LOT of patience. Just be careful and I wish you lots of luck. It can be done!!! |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | I wish I had an answer. I retired a winning horse due to alley issues. Seemed a waste, but I'd tried everything I knew to try.
Things I would look at:
Front feet
EIPH
Ulcer issues
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| My horse has gone to 6 vets before we found out what is wrong and in process of fixing now. Could be as suttle as his feet not really level making him sore. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| sorrel horse ranch - 2014-10-17 4:20 PM
Nateracer - 2014-10-17 3:06 PM Could very well be your anxiety is transferring over to him. After you warm him up, get off of him until it's time to go into the arena, then he won't be able to feel your anxiety.
I would have to agree with Nate.
And like another poster said just take him and ride for a few months just in the pasture.
I sure hope this all works out for you.
I would agree that your own anxiety could be making it worse. Your horse will pick up on you so much more than any of us realize I think.
Rather than fight your own nature and his at the same time to the detriment of you both, I'd say cut your losses before you two have a bad crash, he scares you enough to effect your confidence, or he ends up hurt or permanently damaged. Buy something with more of a quiet, calm nature and ENJOY the sport you've chosen. Plus, it would give him a chance with a calmer rider who may be able to soothe him when he's like that. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | A few different people have suggested riding him but you haven't replied to that, just treating ulcers. He needs to be rode. Bond with him. Get to know him away from barrels. |
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Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | mruggles - 2014-10-17 10:14 AM
mollibtexan - 2014-10-18 6:09 AM I am always blown away by the statement I never work them on barrels?! Seriously this is why horses get "Issues"! Hot horses need structure and routine. They don't need pasture ridden! ?? this blew me away......my horses never see the arena at home (unless they are just getting started) and when i go to a jackpot i do not take my horses in the arena, and i have NEVER had a blown up or hot nasty horse, my horses know that when we are goin in the arena its to work not piss around loping mindless circle after circle and to get picked on constantly(not saying this is the case here but i see it all the time) i ride out in the pasture every ride from my 2 yr old to my 15 yr olds.......thats just my 2 cents
as to my opinion on the op's horse...ULCERS, would be my first check
m
I was saying hot horses in particular. As you stated none have yours have been hot. I was referring to hot horses in particular. I ride all my colts in the pasture but not hot horses. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| mollibtexan - 2014-10-17 10:24 PM
mruggles - 2014-10-17 10:14 AM
mollibtexan - 2014-10-18 6:09 AM I am always blown away by the statement I never work them on barrels?! Seriously this is why horses get "Issues"! Hot horses need structure and routine. They don't need pasture ridden! ?? this blew me away......my horses never see the arena at home (unless they are just getting started) and when i go to a jackpot i do not take my horses in the arena, and i have NEVER had a blown up or hot nasty horse, my horses know that when we are goin in the arena its to work not piss around loping mindless circle after circle and to get picked on constantly(not saying this is the case here but i see it all the time) i ride out in the pasture every ride from my 2 yr old to my 15 yr olds.......thats just my 2 cents
as to my opinion on the op's horse...ULCERS, would be my first check
m
I was saying hot horses in particular. As you stated none have yours have been hot. I was referring to hot horses in particular. I ride all my colts in the pasture but not hot horses.
I tend to agree with Misty,
I have had to fix unsafe hot horses, I rode one who couldn't stand still, he would go straight up in the air. Best thing for him was riding in the open fields on trails, as it gave his mind time to relax and calm down.
I do believe this is why Misty doesn't consider herself having hot horses.
My 4 yr old when I was riding her as a 3 yr old, I was afraid she was going to be too hot to handle 5 yr old futurities, by doing most of my work out of the arena, and keeping the arena slow and calm, she is right on track for 5 yr old futurities.
Horses are very versatile, there are many different training methods to get to similar outcomes.
Personally with the Op's horse if it was mine, I would be riding the horse in the open fields, working on circles, leads, shape, then I would go to the arena walk the pattern, renter the arena and get off and loosen the cinch at first barrel take boots off, even give a crunchy to reassure this horse the arena is an okay spot to be.
I would also be treating the horse for ulcers for atleast 30 days, then day before day of and day after competitions.
I would also make sure this horse had hay infront of him 24/7 even when at a barrel race |
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 Expert
Posts: 1258
Location: MN | Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2014-10-17 2:54 PM
i didn't come to this group to be bashed about my horse, obvsly i want to FIX what is wrong or i wouldn't be asking for help from such rude people that don't know me nor my horse. (doesn't apply to everyone) i am trying my best to fix everything. i know he is sound i know he is utd on teeth feet etc. he has been vetted and nothing was found. i don't ride him because his pervious owners didn't either, that wasn't something i just decided to do. And he is on a round bale 24-7. he doesn't have ANY grass. i will treat with ulcers tonight. his feed is max 13.0 starch. Also i was just told, literally just told 5 mins ago by a old old owner that had him (years ago) that when she got him his feet where bad. he had x-rays done and he had some changes to the coffin bone but everything was fixed there when he got him. I called and made ANOTHER appointment with 2 different vets to get 2 different options. I'm not trying to drug him, i have a terrible anxitity disorder so i know what its like to be nervous, i take a prescribed medicine and i don't consider myself "drugged" when i need to take my medicine. Also i never said he was FINE till i got him, his ex ex old owners had the same problem, (which i think i already mentioned this) she said he was dangerous. but she fixed him. after she sold him, she says she didn't know what happen to him. So he has had this problem before. No i am not trying to sell him. Not yet at least. Yes i should be able to run him now or whenever, doesn't matter if I've owned him for 1 week or 10 weeks. i paid over $15.000 for this horse, so yes i wanted to run him whenever i could. Had i known he was going to try to kill me, maybe i would i have reconsidered. please let me clarify.. He is SOLID, FINISHED. makes the SAME run EVERYTIME. no blowing off barrels so taking steps by barrels. NOTHINg. its getting him into the arena is the problem. so please if anyone has any other ideas. and doesn't want to be rude to me, please again, help me.
can you go to the ex ex owners and find out what they did to fix the problem? Also have him checked for navicular. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I had a horse sent to me earlier this year that was having the same issue. I took him to a junior rodeo in my back yard and couldn't even get him near the warm up pen for about 30 min. We finally made it to the mouth of the alley but I felt like I was on a Volcano. He was a big powerhouse and I was in a dangerous situation. Once at home he rode fine in my small pasture and even my arena. I hauled him to the ranch to work goats and noticed he didn't move out the way that he was built to. He was 'guarding' his steps. Talked to the owners about having the shoer take him to the vet and get some X-rays. Shoer did just that. Adjusted his shoeing and off we went again. I rode him another week slow at the house and felt that he was not using himself deep enough to gather and leave a barrel powerfully while doing dry work. Called owners again and they allowed me to have my "track vet" over to do some injections. We did the injections gave him some time off and on return to saddle ridden work he felt better but still had something that I couldn't put my finger on. The owner talked to the vet I had out and agreed with us to send his horse to a bone scan. Well, wouldn't you know it he lit up-all over. The poor boy needed some much needed time off of ridden work and some well deserved therapy. He got the therapy and came back in 8 weeks time to saddle work and thru his vast improvement was actually sold to a college gal doing very well on him.
When a horse that has no bony changes nor any soft tissue lesions stops working their normal I want you to suspect generalized body soreness. You have to stop that cascade and once that's been done then resume.
I've been on plenty of blown up barrel horses and even have a mare of my own right now that I've spent lots of $ on. Some can make a come back and others just can't- be it physical, mental/emotional.
I'm trying my best to learn about EO (essential oils) and there capabilities of reprogramming the emotional past of horses. I've been quite astonished at some of the changes I've seen in a few horses.
The first thing I would ever do on a horse refusing the alley and performance runs is check for bleeding or airway anamalies. The second is ulcers with the inclusion of hind gut acidosis. If you have a horse that's not wanting to stay hydrated on the trailer (or at an event) then do something about that and you may just change the pH in the hind gut and their ability to perform. As well, you should be willing to oral dose the horse with something such as Lilly of the Desert "Stomach Formula" to aid in a clinical diagnosis of stomach ulcers. Most horses lick this product up straight out of the feed pail. The third is a simple lameness evaluation, followed with treatment of any grade 2 or greater swinging leg lameness. If you have a mare, well they get the full repo tract workup.
Teach your horse how to stretch and get in a routine of doing it daily for the upper level horse. I feel a horse running 1-2 D it keeps them running in those divisions. If your horse is not able to perform after treating appropriatly the above then its time to dive in for a bone scan and if nothing is found there then go to another vet for more blocking and reevaluate the possibility you may have a soft tissue lesion that was missed. If they find it on blocking then ultrasound with poss. of sending horse to MRI facility.
FYI, bone scans have come down in pricing and by time you have invested in simple X-rays on a moderate workup you could have paid for a total bone scan.
Hear my battle cry...for your horse...be cognizant of any and all changes keep a log so that you can track whats helping and whats not. Especially feed and medications.
I also want you to know I've given up on a few horses. I've lost several of my friends (that I grew up rodeoing with and) knowing that their life ended due to tragic deaths caused by a horse that was dangerous.
I tell you, we barrel racers would all be driving maserati's if we didn't have to be so diligent in the care of our horses.
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Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | uno-dos-tres! - 2014-10-18 9:42 AM I had a horse sent to me earlier this year that was having the same issue. I took him to a junior rodeo in my back yard and couldn't even get him near the warm up pen for about 30 min. We finally made it to the mouth of the alley but I felt like I was on a Volcano. He was a big powerhouse and I was in a dangerous situation. Once at home he rode fine in my small pasture and even my arena. I hauled him to the ranch to work goats and noticed he didn't move out the way that he was built to. He was 'guarding' his steps. Talked to the owners about having the shoer take him to the vet and get some X-rays. Shoer did just that. Adjusted his shoeing and off we went again. I rode him another week slow at the house and felt that he was not using himself deep enough to gather and leave a barrel powerfully while doing dry work. Called owners again and they allowed me to have my "track vet" over to do some injections. We did the injections gave him some time off and on return to saddle ridden work he felt better but still had something that I couldn't put my finger on. The owner talked to the vet I had out and agreed with us to send his horse to a bone scan. Well, wouldn't you know it he lit up-all over. The poor boy needed some much needed time off of ridden work and some well deserved therapy. He got the therapy and came back in 8 weeks time to saddle work and thru his vast improvement was actually sold to a college gal doing very well on him.
When a horse that has no bony changes nor any soft tissue lesions stops working their normal I want you to suspect generalized body soreness. You have to stop that cascade and once that's been done then resume.
I've been on plenty of blown up barrel horses and even have a mare of my own right now that I've spent lots of $ on. Some can make a come back and others just can't- be it physical, mental/emotional.
I'm trying my best to learn about EO (essential oils) and there capabilities of reprogramming the emotional past of horses. I've been quite astonished at some of the changes I've seen in a few horses.
The first thing I would ever do on a horse refusing the alley and performance runs is check for bleeding or airway anamalies. The second is ulcers with the inclusion of hind gut acidosis. If you have a horse that's not wanting to stay hydrated on the trailer (or at an event) then do something about that and you may just change the pH in the hind gut and their ability to perform. As well, you should be willing to oral dose the horse with something such as Lilly of the Desert "Stomach Formula" to aid in a clinical diagnosis of stomach ulcers. Most horses lick this product up straight out of the feed pail. The third is a simple lameness evaluation, followed with treatment of any grade 2 or greater swinging leg lameness. If you have a mare, well they get the full repo tract workup.
Teach your horse how to stretch and get in a routine of doing it daily for the upper level horse. I feel a horse running 1-2 D it keeps them running in those divisions. If your horse is not able to perform after treating appropriatly the above then its time to dive in for a bone scan and if nothing is found there then go to another vet for more blocking and reevaluate the possibility you may have a soft tissue lesion that was missed. If they find it on blocking then ultrasound with poss. of sending horse to MRI facility.
FYI, bone scans have come down in pricing and by time you have invested in simple X-rays on a moderate workup you could have paid for a total bone scan.
Hear my battle cry...for your horse...be cognizant of any and all changes keep a log so that you can track whats helping and whats not. Especially feed and medications.
I also want you to know I've given up on a few horses. I've lost several of my friends (that I grew up rodeoing with and) knowing that their life ended due to tragic deaths caused by a horse that was dangerous.
I tell you, we barrel racers would all be driving maserati's if we didn't have to be so diligent in the care of our horses.
Well said. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| It may be pain, it may be past history and it may be as simple as picking up on the rider's anxiety.
First thing....it's going to take time. You look for pain, breathing issues. Then spend some time riding this horse DOING SOMETHING ELSE. When you feel like you are gaining his trust and he, yours head for the arena but don't start running barrels. Chase cows, do a trail pattern but do something besides barrels and circles. Then haul him somewhere and DO SOMETHING BESIDES barrels in the arena. Let him learn that going in to an arena away from home does not have to cause him pain or anxiety.
THEN maybe start taking him to barrels races and exhibitions that don't always entail running a pattern. After all of the above coupled with feed changes and more natural calming things like B1, magnets, calming cookies etc., I "might" resort to trying a drug or two TEMPORARILY to try to convince him that running barrels can be fun.
All the while getting your anxieties and fears under control.
Or...... see if someone out there wants to trade. IMHO neither you OR your horse cannot make their best runs if EITHER is uncomfortable or afraid. Not all horse and rider combos are good matches. If you don't want to put the time into him or cannot trust him then find one that you CAN. Hopefully in that process he will find a match too. |
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| There is not much fat in grass......why are you trying to make up for no grass with high fat feed? I don't think that is your problem, the horse is sore, or just hates barrels. Find a different job for the poor guy or go to a different vet. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| I have thought about this and decided if my whole world consisted of a stall and a walker, I would be an A Hole too. If you have not had the horse long I would say that he is trying you and has gotten the upper hand. Relaxing rides in the pasture with loping and circling trees helps tremendously. If the only time that you ride him is at a barrel race I truly feel sorry for him. Wet saddle blankets correct many, many problems. |
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I'm a Cry Baby
Posts: 3781
Location: n.c. | I'm just totally confused by you never ride him at home, just shows; you only show once/twice a month, but you've only had him 3 weeks.
You are contradicting yourself with your posts. Straight talk would help alot with the answers and help you get. |
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 Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
| I ended up with a blown up, dangerous horse. I took him completely off barrels for 6 months, but hauled him to the arena with us anytime we went. At first, I just walked him around the perimeter of the show. Didn't get anywhere near the arena. When he was finally relaxed doing that(however many shows it took) I then took him a bit closer to the arena and worked my way up to standing near the arena. Finally, after about 4 months, I started exhibitioning him, but only at a walk. The first time he went it, all he would do is trot. Never could get him to walk. Then did a few more exh. and got him to walk. Did that for a while until he would go in totally relaxed. Then started trotting the pattern, and eventually slow loping. I wanted him to learn that I wasn't going to ask him to give his life every time we went in to the pen.
Eventually I started running him, but always bought 1 exhibition so he could just walk in and see that I wasn't going to make him run every time.
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I have a pretty hot gelding that I'm running now and I have an older gelding with a history of bad gate issues so I feel like I have some experience with this type of horse.
Neither of them need to hang out anywhere near the alley or gate. They also aren't going to walk in flat footed on a loose rein. If they are going in the general vicinity of the gate, I stay off their face and just try to steer them if needed. Stopping them or insisting on a slow pace will just cause a fight. I've had people ride one of my other horses up beside them to get them in the gate, and I've even been drug into the alley by pickup men, ropers, and even a rodeo queen.
Clifford (the one I'm running a lot now) seems to have benefitted from changing to a low starch feed. I cut the corn & oats out of his diet, put a lot more alfalfa pellets in the mix, plus I feed him THE Equine Essentials with the highest level of calming added in, I have run him on Quietex, Vita Calm, SmartCalm Ultra and Animal Element's InTheZone paste, and he gets Maalox before every run to calm the butterflies in his stomach. He's very insecure and benefits from me talking to him and petting him on the neck while we wait our turn. He'll actually stand there and flex his head clear around to my foot and look at me with a scared kitten look in his eyes. He was a blown up racehorse, then blew up in bulldogging training, and in the wrong hands could be a blown up mess of a barrel horse. I know I get nervous running him because he's INSANELY fast and tough to keep up with, so I warm him up by trotting a little bit, moving him off my feet both directions, and then I get off. I'll hand walk him for 85% of the time that I'm "warming him up" and I step on maybe 5 horses before us, then quietly put my rubber bands on and I don't put both hands on the reins until we're very very close to the gate. A lot of times I have to grab the reins with my 2nd hand as he's taking off. I have given him reserpine in hopes of getting him past the frantic OMG WE HAVE TO RUN thoughts but honestly don't think it makes much of a difference. Quietex is my absolute favorite calming paste - it actually takes the edge off of him.
Joker (older gelding) has gate issues because he ran with sore hocks for a while before we found the problem. He used to spin, rear, back up fast, buck, kick, freeze completely, anything you can think of, he tried it. We got his hocks feeling good, and we make darn sure that his rider is CALM. I'm talking calm to the point of ready to take a nap. I also get off and hand walk him until right before we're up. If possible, I have someone on another horse walk up with us, and in a pinch, a person can get him started by leading him from the ground. He can't handle even being ridden in the arena before a race. If I think he needs to feel the ground, I pony him around instead. Basically I keep everything as relaxed as possible with him. He is turned out on grass 24/7 and I generally pony him for exercise. If he starts refusing the gate, I know it's time for a break from running or a trip to the vet.
If I had your horse, I would do the following (or at least consider them):
* Spend a ton of time becoming his friend. It is unreal how big a difference this can make. I have a friend (she's actually a member on here) who spent months just bonding with her super nice 1D gelding when she first got him. She took her time becoming his buddy and now he would do anything for her. A few years ago he needed someone to walk up beside him until he took off down the alley but he's over that now because she takes amazing care of him and finds ways to keep him relaxed until they need to run.
* Make sure he's feeling great. Vet, chiro, evaluate his feed to see if you're contributing to ulcers. Aloe vera juice is a good preventative for ulcers - just drizzle it on their grain every day - but I think omeprazole is the only drug that treats & heals them.
* Keep him calm. If that means you need to relax, try singing or talking to him so you can't hold your breath. If he has a best friend, have that horse walk up with him or hang out with him before your run. Or have someone on foot walk up with you keeping you and the horse calm.
* Ride at home doing anything but barrel work. Move cattle, go through rough terrain, up & down hills, work him over low jumps (a foot to foot & a half is about what I end up with when I put a PVC pipe on the top of two buckets LOL). Basically my hot horses do not do any barrel work at the house and if I haul them to town to work in the local arena, they WALK. I spend a ton of time scoring them in front of the pattern. I'll get Clifford settled and standing there on a loose rein, then walk him forward a couple steps and repeat the process. If I have to lope through the pattern, I make sure we walk it several times after that, then end the ride by sitting in front of the pattern where we'd start our run until he relaxes. |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | uno-dos-tres! - 2014-10-18 9:42 AM I had a horse sent to me earlier this year that was having the same issue. I took him to a junior rodeo in my back yard and couldn't even get him near the warm up pen for about 30 min. We finally made it to the mouth of the alley but I felt like I was on a Volcano. He was a big powerhouse and I was in a dangerous situation. Once at home he rode fine in my small pasture and even my arena. I hauled him to the ranch to work goats and noticed he didn't move out the way that he was built to. He was 'guarding' his steps. Talked to the owners about having the shoer take him to the vet and get some X-rays. Shoer did just that. Adjusted his shoeing and off we went again. I rode him another week slow at the house and felt that he was not using himself deep enough to gather and leave a barrel powerfully while doing dry work. Called owners again and they allowed me to have my "track vet" over to do some injections. We did the injections gave him some time off and on return to saddle ridden work he felt better but still had something that I couldn't put my finger on. The owner talked to the vet I had out and agreed with us to send his horse to a bone scan. Well, wouldn't you know it he lit up-all over. The poor boy needed some much needed time off of ridden work and some well deserved therapy. He got the therapy and came back in 8 weeks time to saddle work and thru his vast improvement was actually sold to a college gal doing very well on him.
When a horse that has no bony changes nor any soft tissue lesions stops working their normal I want you to suspect generalized body soreness. You have to stop that cascade and once that's been done then resume.
I've been on plenty of blown up barrel horses and even have a mare of my own right now that I've spent lots of $ on. Some can make a come back and others just can't- be it physical, mental/emotional.
I'm trying my best to learn about EO (essential oils) and there capabilities of reprogramming the emotional past of horses. I've been quite astonished at some of the changes I've seen in a few horses.
The first thing I would ever do on a horse refusing the alley and performance runs is check for bleeding or airway anamalies. The second is ulcers with the inclusion of hind gut acidosis. If you have a horse that's not wanting to stay hydrated on the trailer (or at an event) then do something about that and you may just change the pH in the hind gut and their ability to perform. As well, you should be willing to oral dose the horse with something such as Lilly of the Desert "Stomach Formula" to aid in a clinical diagnosis of stomach ulcers. Most horses lick this product up straight out of the feed pail. The third is a simple lameness evaluation, followed with treatment of any grade 2 or greater swinging leg lameness. If you have a mare, well they get the full repo tract workup.
Teach your horse how to stretch and get in a routine of doing it daily for the upper level horse. I feel a horse running 1-2 D it keeps them running in those divisions. If your horse is not able to perform after treating appropriatly the above then its time to dive in for a bone scan and if nothing is found there then go to another vet for more blocking and reevaluate the possibility you may have a soft tissue lesion that was missed. If they find it on blocking then ultrasound with poss. of sending horse to MRI facility.
FYI, bone scans have come down in pricing and by time you have invested in simple X-rays on a moderate workup you could have paid for a total bone scan.
Hear my battle cry...for your horse...be cognizant of any and all changes keep a log so that you can track whats helping and whats not. Especially feed and medications.
I also want you to know I've given up on a few horses. I've lost several of my friends (that I grew up rodeoing with and) knowing that their life ended due to tragic deaths caused by a horse that was dangerous.
I tell you, we barrel racers would all be driving maserati's if we didn't have to be so diligent in the care of our horses.
Great advice and information |
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Blessed
Location: Here | kmcsunshine - 2014-10-19 4:35 PM There is not much fat in grass......why are you trying to make up for no grass with high fat feed? I don't think that is your problem, the horse is sore, or just hates barrels. Find a different job for the poor guy or go to a different vet.
I agree. I got confused on that logic as well about grass. good hay sometimes is all that is needed |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| I think you need to slow him down. He probably needs just trail riding and bonding with you. The horse will be way better if you make riding fun for him like riding on the trail and when you are practicing barrels then just walk, every horse knows how to run so there's no reason to practice running. When you're riding walk him in and out of the arena and don't go to the barrels just walk in a little bit and turn around and come back out. When you're finally finished and he will walk in camly and not act up at all then do it one last time but walk him to the first barrel, get off and loosen your cinch and turn him away from the barrel and walk out with him(on foot) This makes the horse think barrels are fun and riding with you is fun too. He will be more willing to ride and do what you want if he knows you're his friend, not just the person that makes him work all the time. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
Location: ARKANSAS |
WOW!!! I have read all the comments in regards to your post!!..Sounds like you have a REALLY NICE HORSE, but somewhere along the line he has encountered ULCERS!! He will vet check SOUND through any kind of vet and test you can put him through...I KNOW FOR A FACT!!!! I spent nearly 20 grand trying to figure out what was wrong on a so called HOT HORSE when all it was ULCERS.. Dont just guess!!! Take your horse and have him Scoped for ulcers.. It Takes as little as 48 hours for a horse to get ulcers!!! MY horse that had them..i can tell you the exact moment when he got his, 9 YEARS AFTER when he got them...thats when i learned INDEPT about the ulcers...when he was young he got his foot caught in a fence and had to be stall rested for 2 weeks cause above his hoof was sewn up, he was given bute orally 3 days....THAT and the STRESS of being STALLED gave him ulcers....WOW hind sight is for sure 20/20!!! When you have a horse with ulcers, it is reccommended you DO NOT FEED GRAIN OF ANYKIND!!! you feed FORAGE...you keep hay in front of them 24/7 mixed with a little alfalfa that helps buffer their stomach. ALSO Once they have been DIAGNOSED with ulcers treating 30 days just wont get it....you MUST treat 90-120 days with omeprizole or ulcerguard paste (same thing) to GET RID of ulcers!!! Then from then on after...a few days before a show give him a dose of the paste every day till day of show and the day of the show and the day after the show....Help Reduce his stress around home....get on him and make things fun for him...go on a trail ride...RELAX ON HIM...lay the reins on his neck and let him go where he wants to go if your in a pasture.(keep your hands on the reins)..surely you can ride or you would not have bought him, right? if your out on the trails and not in the pasture, still lay the reins on his neck with your hand on the reins but softly and let him enjoy life...yall build a relationship. get to know one another. and until the 120 days are up i would NOT carry him to another barrel race...GOOD LUCK!!!
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | CYA Ranch - 2014-10-17 9:56 PM A few different people have suggested riding him but you haven't replied to that, just treating ulcers. He needs to be rode. Bond with him. Get to know him away from barrels.
I agree |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
| hoofs_in_motion - 2014-10-20 9:35 AM
CYA Ranch - 2014-10-17 9:56 PM A few different people have suggested riding him but you haven't replied to that, just treating ulcers. He needs to be rode. Bond with him. Get to know him away from barrels.
I agree
I agree and let him get to know you on the ground. If they don't respect you on the ground they won't when you are riding them. |
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Help help help.. dangerous hot horse