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Expert
Posts: 1409
 
Location: Oklahoma | I am having some gate issues! I cant figure out! First of all he has had everything checked! and by very well known people. I had tried different saddles and I have one now that I have even sweat patterns and he doesn't get upset when I saddle him anymore. Chiro and vet says no sore back. Just wondering if it could be the saddle that the issue even tho he not sore in the back and saddle looks and feels like it fits and him no longer upset when saddling. How do we really know that our saddles are ok? thanks! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Turnburnsis - 2017-07-24 10:18 PM
I am having some gate issues! I cant figure out! First of all he has had everything checked! and by very well known people. I had tried different saddles and I have one now that I have even sweat patterns and he doesn't get upset when I saddle him anymore. Chiro and vet says no sore back. Just wondering if it could be the saddle that the issue even tho he not sore in the back and saddle looks and feels like it fits and him no longer upset when saddling. How do we really know that our saddles are ok? thanks!
If a good saddle fitter has looked at it and indicated it fits...move on IMO. Or try different pads, I have one who's rope saddle gives the same sweat pattern in a 5 star or a CSI, but this horse seems to work better in the CSI.
Scoped for bleeding? Hocks checked? Horses experience level? Mine is giving me a little grief at the gate right now too, but he's halfway through his first rodeo season and we think he's just feeling the pressure - runs are still beautiful. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
 
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | Ulcers is my guess. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I dont think it could be the saddle since you had that checked and is a good fit, it can be alot of different things, like saddle pad, cinch, nerves, pain could be anywhere, uclers, hocks, how the rider rides, spurs, over whipping are just flat burned out on barrels.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2017-07-25 10:53 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-07-25 8:02 AM
Ulcers is my guess.
Hmmm you are the 3rd person that told me this. I am waiting for meds to come in to treat for this hopfully it will be here tomorrow. He eats and drinks and runs really nice. In fact he is getting faster each run He not been run very much at all. Also he shows no points for ulcers at all He is fat and shiny and he doesn't have any of the symptoms of ulcers and I also feed him on all natural feed and forage (no grain or processed) . I hate to say this but I hope this does the trick, bc I am out of options! Thanks everyone! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Turnburnsis - 2017-07-25 10:05 PM
Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-07-25 8:02 AM
Ulcers is my guess.
Hmmm you are the 3rd person that told me this. I am waiting for meds to come in to treat for this hopfully it will be here tomorrow. He eats and drinks and runs really nice. In fact he is getting faster each run He not been run very much at all. Also he shows no points for ulcers at all He is fat and shiny and he doesn't have any of the symptoms of ulcers and I also feed him on all natural feed and forage (no grain or processed ) . I hate to say this but I hope this does the trick, bc I am out of options! Thanks everyone!
It's always worth looking at ulcers because they can be so sneaky.
However, you could just be going through "a sweat", honestly I feel that is part of the seasoning process for most horses.
They know their job, they like their job, and they are starting to get amped about it. Think about getting on a roller coaster and heading up that first hill - I like roller coasters, I chose to get on it, but as the adrenaline builds I always have this "oh crap I want off!!!!" moment before we peak that hill.
Now put that adrenaline rush into an animal who's historical line of first defense is to run away. I feel that getting that adrenaline rush can be very intimidating for inexperienced horses. Some are just going to get on the muscle, and some are going to get more rattled by it and try to flee. I feel that making consistent runs with consistent riding builds confidence and these things start to resolve on their own if there are no underlying issues (since the runs are good and getting faster I feel that's the case).
How do you fix it? Keep working on it. Going through it right now. I haul with my husband so I have him get on his rope horse as our "emotional support pony" to get us to the gate. I try and get off and let him relax before our run. I focus a lot on my breathing and relaxation - if I can't feel my seatbones on my saddle, I am too tense. If the area and event allows lope a couple nice circles before you start your run, have another horse help you in for a bit, etc. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I had gate issues with mine when I first got him... Re-watching videos I can see how stiff and shakey I was. Once I relaxed he relaxed. I was waiting for him to blow up and I was ready to bail . The minute I relaxed and didn't expect him to blow up, he walked right in. 
Remember to keep him on a ulcer preventative once you treat. Don't stop just because he looks healthy. They can strike at any time. Keep his Maint dose up and you should be fine.  |
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 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | He could be a bleeder but never bleed out from the nose to show you he is. This is my first guess and my second would be ulcers. ETA- if hes young and not fully seasoned he could just need his butt whipped for testing you.. Rule out the first two then proceed to the third option of whos really the boss.
Edited by Dash4KJ 2017-07-26 6:07 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | Thank you all! This horse has been over fine tooth and comb! Not a bleeder I have scoped and I work for a vet part time so he is really looked at and chiro and so forth. I will just keep rolling if there is something wrong I know it eventually will show its ugly head and then I can fix. I am very relaxed with him bc I know he will work and takes care of me. This is the first horse I don't get nervous on bc I have had him since birth . I only get nervous on my first run back if we been off awhile. Again I appreciate the suggestions and will keep trying til I find the answer! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Hope that you get the gate issue solved with your boy sooner then later, horses sure can be a mystery at times.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| Gate issues can be very frustrating. There are so many unknowns. Ulcers, hocks, stifles, bleeding, saddles, pads, bits, nerves. In my personal experience, I had a horse quit wanting to run because he had sore feet. It was how my farrier (at the time) was shoeing him. Once I switched farriers, and he was not sore, boom. Gate problem fixed.
If it's nerves/adrenaline related, try this. Between drags or during exhibitions, ride up to the gate, pet him, get off, loosen your cinch, hand walk him away. Once you're away from the commotion, get back on and do it all over again. You'd be amazed. Some horses I will do this a half a dozen times at a jackpot. It seems to put them at ease letting them know the gate is a safe place. |
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