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Location: Alaska | I recently purchased a 7yo gelding from Arizona. He was refusing the first can for his previous owner and it was not a secret. She was very honest with me. When I went to try him he was perfect. He is wicked fast and would be one of the greats if we can get through this barrel issue. I need to note that every thing under the sun has been checked (twice) on this gelding for pain. He has had x-rays (multiple sets), teeth have been done twice and checked again, chiropractor, massage therapy, bone scans, blood tests, injections to try to eliminate problems, hocks and stifles checked repeatedly, He has been treated for ulcers (even though he was not testing positive for them), he is on magnesium (to include magnesium baths), and clay, and adiquan, two separate farriers, multiple vet checks (flexion tests on and on) a full thermal body scan, he has been scoped to check for bleeding, and yes even an animal communicator. I have tried to bute him and or give him previcox to see if he was in pain maybe he would run better on a pain killer, we have ran to the left barrel first, we have used every bit under the sun, different saddle pads, you name it I/we have tried it. Nothing is working. I am desperate. Please send suggestions.
In the practice pen he runs like a million bucks. Turns beautifully, never hesitates, or refuses the barrel. He rides like a dream. He has been given entire seasons off (6-7 months at a time). He has not had his legs ran off. IF I take him into the first can at a very very slow canter, and stay right in the middle of him, and use two hands he will turn the first can and then take off like a rocket and finish the rest of the pattern. If I let him pick his own speed to the first can, he blows up.
Here is my thought. It seems to me he has learned that if he throws a fit at the first can he gets immediate relief (with his previous owner they were running (attempting) in rodeos that would fine you if you schooled your horse during a race), so she had to get out of the arena immediately after his temper tantrum. It seems to me that he knows when it is competition and he has learned that if he has a fit, he gets to leave the arena and sit at the trailer. All pressure is taken off of him as soon as he misbehaves. He is smart enough to know that in the practice pen he can not get away with it, only during a competitive run. Like a kid in the grocery store, they know they can misbehave because there is an audience and mom wont spank them in front of people (unless you had my mom). :)
How do I fix this, if I can not school on him in the practice pen? He is an angel in the practice pen. This also shows that he is not in pain. He turns all three cans tight and snappy during practice. Also - I do need to add that I do give him omeprazole paste before we run (just to make sure he does not have an upset stomach and to calm him).
Has anyone else had this issue, and fixed it? I am obviously willing to do anything to try and fix this issue. I am a barrel racer and I do not have the ability to keep horses that are not productive. I board in a facility and for one horse it is a $550.00 bill just for board alone. I want to fix this and give him his forever home. He is amazing, and beautiful and so very talented, I just have to fix this first barrel. Thank you in advance for any helpful ideas you might have.
Edited by 907brlrcr 2017-06-29 5:18 PM
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 Saint Stacey
  
| Have you tried going to the other barrel first? |
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Posts: 25
Location: Alaska | Yes I have taken him to the left barrel. Same situation. |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | If he was mine and I was certain that your take on the situation was accurate, I would give him a very hard job for the rest of the summer that had nothing to do with the arena or barrel racing. In my case he would get to be a pony horse during the TB meet, in the south Louisiana heat and humidity, til the meet was over in September. I may even pony some in the morning just for good measure. Could you find someone that works cattle for a living? Being saddled at 5AM and having to work all day 5-6 days a week can work wonders on a horse.
?Honestly though, do you really want a horse that doesn't want to work for you? We spend so much money, time and effort on these horses, to have one that pulls crap like this for what ever reason just sucks all the joy out of it. Maybe finding him a different job and/or zip code would be the best for your sanity in the long run. |
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Location: Alaska | Barnmom - I am in Alaska, so there are no race tracks, not a lot of cattle farms either. I could send him out on a pack string for hunting, and give him a much different perception of his life, and that might be my next move.
Life is too short to do this for long, I totally agree with you. I am almost at that point, for sure. I just thought I would reach out as a last ditch effort and see if maybe someone out there had a magic trick for me to try...... |
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Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Yep, not many options in Alaska and too far to send him somewhere that does. I would imagine that he gets plenty of downtime up there also with the winters you have. I had one like yours, I finally cut my losses and sold him cheap for a trail horse. I rarely get to go to a barrel race and when I do, I want a partner, not a horse that grudgingly kinda sorta does as I ask or worse, throws a fit. I am just riding two colts now and much happier even if they aren't ready to run yet. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| We have a gelding that we spent $1000 on trying to find a physical issue because he would not go in the pen, refused the alley, ended up sending him to a trainer who he did great for. When my daughter got back on him he pulled the same stunt, trainer told her next time when he balks hit him one time as hard as you can and tell him no. That dolbed the problem and he's never hesitated a step, he was just taking advantage .
The same trainer also took in a young one on a trade that was blown up. He was a local horse and she knew his issues but saw something in him. He was not overrun just too much pressure for him to handle, it took her over a year but she brought him back and he went on to win everything, she turned down 6 figures for him several times. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | just wanted to say I owned one that was awesome in practice, but would run up the fence in a competition. He'd make perfect runs in practice, which makes it hard to understand why not in competition. In his case, it was his hocks. |
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Location: Alaska | Why would he run in practice and not in competition? How could it only hurt in a competitive run? That is very confusing.
I have (another) vet appointment to have his hocks x-rayed again..... I will also try to inject them again and see if maybe we missed something the first two times...
It really does seem like hock problems, I just don't know why nothing is showing up on x-rays or during a chiropractic exam, and why the first set of injections did not help the issue.
Thank you for sending your reply - I was on the fence about going through the hock issue again, but I think one more time might put my mind at ease.... Maybe?
Edited by 907brlrcr 2017-06-29 5:49 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| Have you checked into kissing spine? |
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Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Are they injecting both the lower and middle joints in the hocks? I know some vets feel that it is not neccessary to do both because most horses have joints that communicate. I have found that is not the case and middle joints can still be very painful even after the lowers have been injected. |
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 No Name Nancy
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Location: never in the right place | is there a local competition that they will let you be last and since you are the last person you could school him at that 1st barrel and not have to leave the arena.
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Location: Alaska | Barnmom - Both joints were injected. I am going to do it again though. It has been a year so maybe it is time to try it again.
ctdrumrunner - Yes, there is a local race that I can school on him at, and I have. After he throws a fit we will start over and he will run it perfect. He just HAS to throw that initial tantrum. The second you make him do it again, he is perfect.... SO FRUSTRATING!
Edited by 907brlrcr 2017-06-29 6:46 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | Called Rodeo Smart. Believe they know the difference. And when you put your money up. Everyone rides harder. |
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Location: Alaska | Can you fix "Rodeo Smart"? 
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| 907brlrcr - 2017-06-29 6:42 PM
Barnmom - Both joints were injected. I am going to do it again though. It has been a year so maybe it is time to try it again.
ctdrumrunner - Yes, there is a local race that I can school on him at, and I have. After he throws a fit we will start over and he will run it perfect. He just HAS to throw that initial tantrum. The second you make him do it again, he is perfect.... SO FRUSTRATING!
The horse in my avatar needed his hocks injected and started running up the fence. Got the hock situation fixed and he still ran up the fence. I sent mine to a trainer to tune on him. He is wonderful now. I do have his hocks injected every 4 months. As a matter of fact, they were injected yesterday. They way I look at it, he takes care of me so I have to take care of him. |
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Location: Southeast Louisiana | ctdrumrunr - 2017-06-29 6:39 PM
is there a local competition that they will let you be last and since you are the last person you could school him at that 1st barrel and not have to leave the arena.
This is what I was going to say.
Just a thought, but maybe you could start by taking him to the first like you described (under control) then, after he turns it right, pull him up and give him a pat on the neck, dismount and walk him out.
Since he only acts up in competition, you'd end up donating a lot of entry fees at first, but it's something I'd be willing to try.
Obviously, you can't do this every time, but you could just walk the pattern the next time after a good first, etc. Just make him look forward to stopping if he turns it right. Add some speed back after you have his attention again. Maybe you could catch a weekend of three local (less expensive) barrel races in one weekend and just see if it works.
Edited by Nita 2017-06-29 10:08 PM
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 Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | I was reading this and had a flashback. This is a long shot for what it's worth. I had a horse act similar,no tantrum but would duck or run smooth off. I worked on him for 2 years. He was the most talented horse I ever rode. At home... no problem. Show... it happened every time. I sold him. I could not do it anymore. A year later I read something that made me stop and think. By this time I saw this horse at shows go thru owner after owner. But I suspected now I knew almost for certain what the problem was all along. By this time we are 3 years "divorced" lol, I see he is for sale. He's 16 and some ropers are looking to buy him from current owner. I felt sorry for him, I knew he wouldn't work out and would end up at a sale barn. I paid a big price,brought him home and as soon as he put his head down to graze sure enough after much time had passed I finally heard the sound of his airway being compromised. That was his problem all along and I can't count the number of vets he's been to. BUT in their defense it wouldn't be caught unless someone had used the kind of scopes that you hook a horse up to while exercising. When he got "on the muscle" at a show he would get a blocked and couldn't get enough air. He's still in my pasture and I didn't get it fixed since he is 17 years old. It's a long shot but thought I might say something, who knows. I just wish I had caught it in his earlier yrs |
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Location: Southeast Louisiana | treasurehunter - 2017-06-30 12:20 AM
I was reading this and had a flashback. This is a long shot for what it's worth. I had a horse act similar,no tantrum but would duck or run smooth off. I worked on him for 2 years. He was the most talented horse I ever rode. At home... no problem. Show... it happened every time. I sold him. I could not do it anymore. A year later I read something that made me stop and think. By this time I saw this horse at shows go thru owner after owner. But I suspected now I knew almost for certain what the problem was all along. By this time we are 3 years "divorced" lol, I see he is for sale. He's 16 and some ropers are looking to buy him from current owner. I felt sorry for him, I knew he wouldn't work out and would end up at a sale barn. I paid a big price,brought him home and as soon as he put his head down to graze sure enough after much time had passed I finally heard the sound of his airway being compromised. That was his problem all along and I can't count the number of vets he's been to. BUT in their defense it wouldn't be caught unless someone had used the kind of scopes that you hook a horse up to while exercising. When he got "on the muscle" at a show he would get a blocked and couldn't get enough air. He's still in my pasture and I didn't get it fixed since he is 17 years old. It's a long shot but thought I might say something, who knows. I just wish I had caught it in his earlier yrs
Wow! ...you are that horse's guardian angel. |
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Location: Alaska | I very much appreciate everyone's thoughts, ideas, stories and suggestions. I am going to try all of this. I am going to re-do x-rays, injections, try to check his airway during a competitive situation, give him EXTRA positive reinforcement when he turns the barrel and try to work him more (more wet saddle blankets).
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to try and help us. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I've never had this problem but ive had friends that have. At your shows do they offer exhibition before the show starts? if so, can you exhib him a couple times that way you can work that first kink out? treat your exhib run like a real run and see what he does, if he acts up, you have the time to fix it, run again, and go from there and maybe he wont do it in the actual class? that way youve only wasted $4-$5 instead of a $30 entry fee. I know things are different during an actual run, nerves, crowd, and so on. But it may be worth a try. I also agree with giving him a different job for a couple months, his heart just may not be in it right now. Good luck! |
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Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | I've seen horses that were really sore make awesome runs In the practice pen or even in an exhibition. They know when they're not entered they have to work or they'll get tortured.
I would have a good lameness vet look at him, particularly on his right side (if he goes to try right barrel first).
Most horses I've had that do this turn out to have a soft tissue problem such as collateral lig. Damage or suspensory tears . Most of the time it's suspensory tears . |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Liana D - 2017-06-30 9:53 AM
I've seen horses that were really sore make awesome runs In the practice pen or even in an exhibition. They know when they're not entered they have to work or they'll get tortured.
I would have a good lameness vet look at him, particularly on his right side (if he goes to try right barrel first).
Most horses I've had that do this turn out to have a soft tissue problem such as collateral lig. Damage or suspensory tears . Most of the time it's suspensory tears .
I agree with this! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: nj | StreakySox - curious which trainer and if you could share any of what was done with him?
I have a horse that started with an issue after 3 years - it was an injury which was addressed and alot of time given. But now I am thinking it is no longer pain but a learned behavior. I get the pain of not being able to correct in competion environment!!
I am also thinking about the input Treasurehunter gave of a horses airway being compressed when excited - I know with standardbreds this could be an issue. Could someone give me details on the type of scoping and the options on addressing it? was it flapper issue for example? Some interesting feedback offered here and would love to hear more details.
Edited by threeponies 2017-06-30 11:21 AM
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| I too own a horse that will throw a temper tantrum if conditions do not meet his expectations.
Does he do better in different arena conditions?
Center alley vs. Side gate?
Indoors vs. Outdoors?
Open gate vs. Closed?
I have personally accepted the fact that my horse performs better in pens that he prefers and it is no longer worth it to me to try and make him different.
Mind you, mine is 18 years old this year... In the past I have been able to make him perform. <-With a good come to Jesus meeting when needed.
But at this point though he has won enough $$$$$ that he deserves his selection of arena. So I give him a free pass.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | I have rode run offs and duckers. If its truely is a pain issue (which is pretty much always why they develop these habits) they aren't gonna come around until you get that solved and then you got a long road ahead of you. In all honesty if you don't feel like he's hurting then quit babying him and wasting your money on crap to make him feel better. It's obviously not working. I am assuming he probably stops and rears because we had one that did that too. You say you can ease him into the 1st and two hand him...well this is exactly what you need to do! Haul him to local shows with cheaper fees and just ride him through it. Heck just exhibition. Don't push him! And don't be afraid to take a hand to him if he does it at a show!!! Of course be careful whose watching and where your at, but there ain't no reason why you can't give them a spanking! Little by little you'll start to gain some trust and be able to increase your speed and drop your outside rain. It will probably take over a year for him to gain his confidence back, and there will be times when he'll screw up an go back to old ways. You just gotta tough it out. Your gut will tell you if you think he will get there, but if he just keeps blowing up then you'll know you need to cut your loses. They arent going to just run in there one day magically fixed just because you went to the vet. You gotta haul them and help them gain their confidence back. Some of them are just too far gone tho.
And FYI I totally agree about going to the vet but you can only spend so much and when you don't find anything wrong it's time try something different. |
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Location: NE Texas | Go to a few jackpots (not rodeos) and do exhibitions only (get there early) - don't do slow practice runs - act like they are real runs and school him then if you think he's acting up since you can't in a rodeo and then take his butt back through like it's real again until he does it right (if you're 100% certain it's not pain). :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| 907brlrcr - 2017-06-29 6:42 PM
Barnmom - Both joints were injected. I am going to do it again though. It has been a year so maybe it is time to try it again.
ctdrumrunner - Yes, there is a local race that I can school on him at, and I have. After he throws a fit we will start over and he will run it perfect. He just HAS to throw that initial tantrum. The second you make him do it again, he is perfect.... SO FRUSTRATING!
Did he do better last time you had him injected? Injections only stay in the joint for roughly 60ish days then they're "dry" again the horses get sore and it's a vicious cycle. You need to measure how long they are effective so you know how long you can go on them. I have a gelding that needs his fetlock injected. I push put the length between each time to measure when he might need them again. I DON'T wait for him to get sore though. For instance he's having a 100 day checkup in a couple weeks to see how he's doing. Last time we went 85 days, prior to that it was 65 days. If at any time I think he's off I need to take him in so we can keep track of the efficacy of injection. He also gets monthly Pentosan. Does this make sense? |
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Veteran
Posts: 217
| treasurehunter - 2017-06-30 1:20 AM
I was reading this and had a flashback. This is a long shot for what it's worth. I had a horse act similar,no tantrum but would duck or run smooth off. I worked on him for 2 years. He was the most talented horse I ever rode. At home... no problem. Show... it happened every time. I sold him. I could not do it anymore. A year later I read something that made me stop and think. By this time I saw this horse at shows go thru owner after owner. But I suspected now I knew almost for certain what the problem was all along. By this time we are 3 years "divorced" lol, I see he is for sale. He's 16 and some ropers are looking to buy him from current owner. I felt sorry for him, I knew he wouldn't work out and would end up at a sale barn. I paid a big price,brought him home and as soon as he put his head down to graze sure enough after much time had passed I finally heard the sound of his airway being compromised. That was his problem all along and I can't count the number of vets he's been to. BUT in their defense it wouldn't be caught unless someone had used the kind of scopes that you hook a horse up to while exercising. When he got "on the muscle" at a show he would get a blocked and couldn't get enough air. He's still in my pasture and I didn't get it fixed since he is 17 years old. It's a long shot but thought I might say something, who knows. I just wish I had caught it in his earlier yrs
How could you tell his airways were compromised? I'm asking because I'm paranoid. Had my new horse adjusted yesterday. And her words was that he was a mess. His neck and jaw were super tight. Today I heard his jaw popping and I could actually hear his breathing today. Chiro said give him a few days while his muscles relax and he's off anyway cause of injections. Movement wise he's better.
To OP...I agree with hauling him to school him. Take him to exhibitions even if that's all you do. Smaller local shows are usually easier on the pocket. Explain to the judge/announcer the problem you're having and they'll typically let you work through it. It's my opinion, but I think it's a learned habit now if he checks out sound for everything and will need taught he's okay or can't get away with it. You could try making it more work outside of the arena when he does blow up |
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Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | Looking back now, as he came out it, it was like a little gaspy like he ran out of air and didn't get a good breath. It wasn't one of those big noticeable things either. I pay attention to details and that one I missed till years later I remembered just a few tiny seemingly, at the time seemed very benign. If you take my horse and really make him break at the poll you would notice that you his breaths are just a tad bit louder. Sometimes he would cough a little. |
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Veteran
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| treasurehunter - 2017-07-01 1:11 AM
Looking back now, as he came out it, it was like a little gaspy like he ran out of air and didn't get a good breath. It wasn't one of those big noticeable things either. I pay attention to details and that one I missed till years later I remembered just a few tiny seemingly, at the time seemed very benign. If you take my horse and really make him break at the poll you would notice that you his breaths are just a tad bit louder. Sometimes he would cough a little.
I'll definitely keep an eye on him thank you. Fingers crossed his muscles are just sore from being so out |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| What did you end up doing with this horse? Just curious?
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Location: Alaska | Update - I had multiple vets, chiropractors and massage therapist come out to work on him a couple times after I posted this. I did have his hocks injected again, even though the vet said that it was not his hocks.
In the end I decided that I was not going to give up on him. I was going to see this through. There is something about him, and I knew it the second he stepped off the trailer. We started playing with cows, going for long runs on the river, we hauled and raced in a different arena and different city for almost 15 weeks straight, we spent time on the trails, we played games with the kids and did things so far out of his comfort zone. All of this seemed to work.
By the end of the season he started not only turning our first can, but we started winning. He was so wicked fast that he was able to clock decent times when we would canter to our first can (if he didn't throw himself on the ground), so as soon as he was able to have a little hustle to the first can he really started clocking. We ended the year winning the local 1D races a handful of times. We even won a buckle at the last race. To top it off, I started running poles with him, to give him another job, and his last pole run was a 22.4. Not too bad for a boy who doesn't do poles. I have been able to take him off of all his calming sups, I took off his tie down, and he is in a normal bit, instead of the mess I had to have him in, in order to have a small amount of control.
Here is the kicker though...... The end of the year is wet and cold here in Alaska, so we run in an indoor arena. The barrels are up against the wall, he doesn't have a lot of option to throw a fit in the indoor. I am a little concerned that next season when I get him out to a big open outdoor arena we might have the same issue. So I believe that he is not in pain, because he would not only be in pain if we were outside and not in pain if we were inside, but there might be too much pressure, or opportunity or something that sets him off when he is in an outdoor pen. Has anyone ever heard of that?
He is out to pasture for the winter. He is out being a horse and just letting his brain rest. I hope 5-6 months of just eating and relaxing will reset his brain and when I start working him next year he will be ready to work. Wouldn't that be wonderful if it worked!!??? Fingers Crossed! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| What a great update! Congrats! |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| threeponies - 2017-06-30 11:18 AM
StreakySox - curious which trainer and if you could share any of what was done with him?
I have a horse that started with an issue after 3 years - it was an injury which was addressed and alot of time given. But now I am thinking it is no longer pain but a learned behavior. I get the pain of not being able to correct in competion environment!!
I am also thinking about the input Treasurehunter gave of a horses airway being compressed when excited - I know with standardbreds this could be an issue. Could someone give me details on the type of scoping and the options on addressing it? was it flapper issue for example? Some interesting feedback offered here and would love to hear more details.
Shelly Gish trains my horses. She has two right now. I can tell you that she went back to basics with my horse. Any time we have any kind of issue we always go back to basics. Usually what she does is work basics on some drill then moves over to one barrel to work on basics and has the horse work around the barrel correcting. The horse doesn't even realize it is being tuned on. |
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 Elite Veteran
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Location: MO | What a GREAT update. My experience with indoor versus outdoor pens.....
I have a young horse that is off the track and can fly. He just LOVES to run. He is well composed in an indoor or a pavillion type arena, and can do his job very well. Hitting the 3d at big shows and this is his first REAL season being seasoned. The minute we hit the outdoor pens, especially with more open sides (panels), he just wants to RUN. He will turn but he is more interested in running than turning. My SO explains it as a control-able runaway. I am going to have to haul him to A LOT of outdoor pens next year to get him more seasoned there. This may not be the same situation but I do know the indoor versus outdoor is a factor. |
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 The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
Location: Arizona | 907brlrcr - 2017-06-30 1:08 AM
I very much appreciate everyone's thoughts, ideas, stories and suggestions. I am going to try all of this. I am going to re-do x-rays, injections, try to check his airway during a competitive situation, give him EXTRA positive reinforcement when he turns the barrel and try to work him more (more wet saddle blankets).
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to try and help us.
How does he refuse the first barrel? Does he run past it, or won't turn it, does he go in the arena okay or does he start throwing a fit before you enter? |
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Member
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Location: Alaska | He goes in the arena perfectly. Walks quietly. When he gets behind the first barrel he almost puts his nose to his hip and starts running sideways into the fence. It almost feels like he is trying to throw himself on the ground. He has a short little neck and so he turns his head all the way around so he is almost looking back at you, so you have no control of his face. Then he just runs sideways blind, and tries to go back to the gate. It is a pretty intense temper tantrum.
He only does it once. As soon as you straighten him out and get him under control and go for it again, he runs a perfect pattern. Too late though...... |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Glad to hear you made progress.
I would consider finding a dressage trainer in your area. That is hard work and without being too hard on them. But they learn to use their entire body and makes a good horse even better because they are so fit. Just another suggestion. I did that with a gelding I had. |
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Member
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Location: Alaska | This is a great idea. I have been told multiple times that dressage does amazing things for barrel ponies. I think that would be good for both of us! It certainly couldn't hurt! |
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The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
Location: Arizona | 907brlrcr - 2017-10-13 1:44 PM
Update - I had multiple vets, chiropractors and massage therapist come out to work on him a couple times after I posted this. I did have his hocks injected again, even though the vet said that it was not his hocks.
In the end I decided that I was not going to give up on him. I was going to see this through. There is something about him, and I knew it the second he stepped off the trailer. We started playing with cows, going for long runs on the river, we hauled and raced in a different arena and different city for almost 15 weeks straight, we spent time on the trails, we played games with the kids and did things so far out of his comfort zone. All of this seemed to work.
By the end of the season he started not only turning our first can, but we started winning. He was so wicked fast that he was able to clock decent times when we would canter to our first can (if he didn't throw himself on the ground ), so as soon as he was able to have a little hustle to the first can he really started clocking. We ended the year winning the local 1D races a handful of times. We even won a buckle at the last race. To top it off, I started running poles with him, to give him another job, and his last pole run was a 22.4. Not too bad for a boy who doesn't do poles. I have been able to take him off of all his calming sups, I took off his tie down, and he is in a normal bit, instead of the mess I had to have him in, in order to have a small amount of control.
Here is the kicker though...... The end of the year is wet and cold here in Alaska, so we run in an indoor arena. The barrels are up against the wall, he doesn't have a lot of option to throw a fit in the indoor. I am a little concerned that next season when I get him out to a big open outdoor arena we might have the same issue. So I believe that he is not in pain, because he would not only be in pain if we were outside and not in pain if we were inside, but there might be too much pressure, or opportunity or something that sets him off when he is in an outdoor pen. Has anyone ever heard of that?
He is out to pasture for the winter. He is out being a horse and just letting his brain rest. I hope 5-6 months of just eating and relaxing will reset his brain and when I start working him next year he will be ready to work. Wouldn't that be wonderful if it worked!!??? Fingers Crossed!
Wow, so glad to hear of this progress. How old is he? Curious as to who you bought him from here in AZ ( you can PM me that info if you want to share). I think you are on the right track. I think he's just lacking confidence and I think maybe you're right, that he's had too much pressure on him and this was his reaction. Some horses it just takes them longer to get things figured out. I am on my second year with my mare, and we are still trying to figure things out...lol! I think he will come back better than ever!! |
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Member
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Location: Alaska | I just tried to send you a PM, but to be honest I am new to this and I am not sure it is going through..... 
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| 907brlrcr - 2017-10-13 2:44 PM Update - I had multiple vets, chiropractors and massage therapist come out to work on him a couple times after I posted this. I did have his hocks injected again, even though the vet said that it was not his hocks. In the end I decided that I was not going to give up on him. I was going to see this through. There is something about him, and I knew it the second he stepped off the trailer. We started playing with cows, going for long runs on the river, we hauled and raced in a different arena and different city for almost 15 weeks straight, we spent time on the trails, we played games with the kids and did things so far out of his comfort zone. All of this seemed to work. By the end of the season he started not only turning our first can, but we started winning. He was so wicked fast that he was able to clock decent times when we would canter to our first can (if he didn't throw himself on the ground ), so as soon as he was able to have a little hustle to the first can he really started clocking. We ended the year winning the local 1D races a handful of times. We even won a buckle at the last race. To top it off, I started running poles with him, to give him another job, and his last pole run was a 22.4. Not too bad for a boy who doesn't do poles. I have been able to take him off of all his calming sups, I took off his tie down, and he is in a normal bit, instead of the mess I had to have him in, in order to have a small amount of control. Here is the kicker though...... The end of the year is wet and cold here in Alaska, so we run in an indoor arena. The barrels are up against the wall, he doesn't have a lot of option to throw a fit in the indoor. I am a little concerned that next season when I get him out to a big open outdoor arena we might have the same issue. So I believe that he is not in pain, because he would not only be in pain if we were outside and not in pain if we were inside, but there might be too much pressure, or opportunity or something that sets him off when he is in an outdoor pen. Has anyone ever heard of that? He is out to pasture for the winter. He is out being a horse and just letting his brain rest. I hope 5-6 months of just eating and relaxing will reset his brain and when I start working him next year he will be ready to work. Wouldn't that be wonderful if it worked!!??? Fingers Crossed!
GREAT UPDATE! So happy to hear this! |
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Member
Posts: 42
Location: SE Oklahoma | SO glad to stumble across this post! My horse has done the EXACT same thing for nearly a year. He's just coming off of a 4 month break, I've spent so much money trying to fix, at this point I could've purchased a new rig.
Every vet finds some other miracle injection or treatment he needs, nothing ever fixes it. He's going to work at the salebarn this week, I'm tired of his crap and I've decided I'm going to at least get some of my $$ back out of him and put him to work!!! My horse is VERY lazy, and I've always wondered if this could be his issue - just a poor work ethic/attitude. But he's always been what I call a "slave", only does what you ask. Never gives a fuss, never thinks of a way out of work - and he's not COMPLETELY sound, there are some very minor issues, but nothing new, and nothing that should be causing this type of reaction. We've tried all we can with vets, now it's time for some hard labor for this guy! |
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 Elite Veteran
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Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-06-30 7:36 AM
I've never had this problem but ive had friends that have. At your shows do they offer exhibition before the show starts? if so, can you exhib him a couple times that way you can work that first kink out? treat your exhib run like a real run and see what he does, if he acts up, you have the time to fix it, run again, and go from there and maybe he wont do it in the actual class? that way youve only wasted $4-$5 instead of a $30 entry fee. I know things are different during an actual run, nerves, crowd, and so on. But it may be worth a try. I also agree with giving him a different job for a couple months, his heart just may not be in it right now. Good luck!
Yes this...EXACTLY...fire that sucker up like the real thing in an exhibition, then whale the stuffing outta him, right there...go back n do it however many times it takes before he realizes the acting stupid out there won't get him an easy off trip to trailer. I know TWO trainers who have done this, once all vet work was verified. BOTH horses stopped acting up, and are now super nice horses. |
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First Barrel Disaster - Please Help!!