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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
 
Location: MN | What do you all do for your anxious horses? Last summer I hauled quite a bit, further away from home. My horse isnt use to being in a stall but in previous years he has never been such a TURD on the road as he was this year. Rodeo's, hes fine. Bigger 3-4 day barrel races...not so much. I thought for sure we were going to have a great summer because he ran so great the year before coming off of an injury. If I hauled by myself, he was fine. Never even thought about talking to another horse and was his relaxed goofy self. But if I hauled with someone, it was a nightmare. He would buddy up with the person's horse I hauled with and if that horse ever got out of sight, he'd freak. Granted, years prior, I've done that and he was always his normal self. I couldnt figure him out this year for the life of me and it made traveling not enjoyable. Of course this also affected his performance and was clocking a good half second off than what he normally does.
So what do you do?
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
 
Location: Jersey Girl | If hauling with another horse makes it worse then def don't do that. How long have you been hauling him? Maybe with a bit more seasoning he will improve.
I would also try something to calm his nerves on the road. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | It was his 4th year being hauled. I didnt travel much the year before though because he had came off of a broken splint bone and it was more of myself needing the confidence again and knowing that he wasnt hurt anymore.
I have been looking into the Equisure route...interested in trying it. Ive heard great reviews. I just hope it doesnt take the run out of him. He needs all he can get!
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | Are you stalling with the people you haul with? Might help if you stall in a different area. If you are already doing this, might want to consider going back to hauling by yourself again. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Im just perplexed as to why this started all of a sudden when 2 years ago, I'd haul with someone, stall with them and had zero issues. I have no idea what light switched on but I wish it'd switch off! lol. |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia | Sometimes I try to imagine horses as people. I know plenty of people who go through changes every year of their lives and some develop anxiety disorders. Horses are the same way. I have a mare that I adore but she has anxiety at barrel races. Every year that passes I just pray it wont be the year she loses her marbles. I do everything I can to help her keep it together. I give her pre-race calming supplements and it has helped her tremendously.
Have you tried any supplements to help him cope? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Runninbay - 2017-01-20 1:34 PM Sometimes I try to imagine horses as people. I know plenty of people who go through changes every year of their lives and some develop anxiety disorders. Horses are the same way. I have a mare that I adore but she has anxiety at barrel races. Every year that passes I just pray it wont be the year she loses her marbles. I do everything I can to help her keep it together. I give her pre-race calming supplements and it has helped her tremendously.
Have you tried any supplements to help him cope?
I just started him on AE Detox which has raspberry leaf in it which is supposed to mellow one out. Im hoping to see his anxiety go down with that! But I plan on changing his diet this summer too hopefully help with that as well. Less sugar and more whole grains! |
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