|
|
Expert
Posts: 2685
   
| I got a new horse that ended up having a few issues that I was not aware of initially. The mare was "hot" when I got her. She cribbed (ulcers) but was sound via vet check. Since getting her I have treated the ulcers, she has put on lots of weight, she looks happier etc. All of this being said she still walks like her tail is on fire, she still paws tied up (not like dig a hole to china, but annoying), she's still what I would consider "hot." (My others are "dead heads.")
My thought was that she would chill with TLC, which she has, but I guess she hasn't chilled as much as I had hoped. My biggest priority is that she is happy, not so much a dead head. I just want to know that she is bouncy and "hot" because she feels good, not because she's in pain/ worrying- etc...
How much of this behavior do you think has become a habit? Or is just her personality? Part of me thinks she's still in her head due to previous issues, but part of me is also thinking of the concept of different dog breeds and how some are lazy and some are crack heads. Thoughts?
(she is 1/2 TB if that makes any difference) | |
| | |
Doggy Diaper Designer
Posts: 2322
Location: WI | I think a lot is habit, but she's bred hotter. She may just be that way. Some of the pawing etc is patience. Hot horses can still kind their manners. Give it more time and patience | |
| | |
Location: in the ozone | Does she stay the same level of "hot" all the time or does it increase at times w/o a "real reason"? And once she gets to that level, is it hard to bring her back down? When she canters, does she "bunny hop" in the back? | |
| | |
Expert
Posts: 2685
| slipperyslope - 2018-07-08 9:12 AM
Does she stay the same level of "hot" all the time or does it increase at times w/o a "real reason"? And once she gets to that level, is it hard to bring her back down? When she canters, does she "bunny hop" in the back?
No she’s pretty much the same 24/7. She is super broke. W/T/L on lose rein. None of the bunny hoping. Can lengthen and shorten her stride etc. she just puts her head down and goes, not like the bunched up thing. However, if you try to force her to slow down she will start the bunched up thing but only at the walk, slowing her down at trot and lope she just shortens her stride and slows down. At the walk she’ll get mad and start bouncing but as soon as you leave her alone she’ll go back to her tail on fire walk.
Hope that makes sense... | |
| | |
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| A few things I might try if you haven’t -
Lower NSC feed
MagRestore makes a product called “Focus” that has helped a friends mare level out.
A job, a hard one. Or at least making sure she is worked 5-6 days/week and worked well. Sometimes they just need to learn to appreciate days where the work is light. | |
| | |
Expert
Posts: 2685
| OhMax - 2018-07-08 10:16 PM
A few things I might try if you haven’t -
Lower NSC feed
MagRestore makes a product called “Focus” that has helped a friends mare level out.
A job, a hard one. Or at least making sure she is worked 5-6 days/week and worked well. Sometimes they just need to learn to appreciate days where the work is light.
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this with me. Shes on a high fat, high protein, low sugar, low starch diet atm. She is on 90% hay/ alfalfa and 1/2 scoop a low starch feed right now because I am having to slowly introduce grain again due to the ulcers. I took her off feed for a bit.
I also thought about the whole making her thankful for her breaks think. She'll stop and stand like a champ, but walk off tail on fire. Anywho, still working at that part...
Thanks again :) | |
| | |
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| RoaniePonie11 - 2018-07-09 5:24 AM
OhMax - 2018-07-08 10:16 PM
A few things I might try if you haven’t -
Lower NSC feed
MagRestore makes a product called “Focus” that has helped a friends mare level out.
A job, a hard one. Or at least making sure she is worked 5-6 days/week and worked well. Sometimes they just need to learn to appreciate days where the work is light.
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this with me. Shes on a high fat, high protein, low sugar, low starch diet atm. She is on 90% hay/ alfalfa and 1/2 scoop a low starch feed right now because I am having to slowly introduce grain again due to the ulcers. I took her off feed for a bit.
I also thought about the whole making her thankful for her breaks think. She'll stop and stand like a champ, but walk off tail on fire. Anywho, still working at that part...
Thanks again : )
You may not be able to make her walk differently. I wouldn’t try if all she does is walk fast without trying to break into a faster gait. I have had several of these horses and they are by far my favorites. Seems like they are willing to go the extra mile when needed.
Besides, horses are like people, they move at different speeds within a gait. My mom can, and always has, walked fast with purpose. My husband walks at slower pace but with the same purpose.
Long story short - you may be better off accepting her as she is. | |
| | |
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| OhMax - 2018-07-08 10:16 PM A few things I might try if you haven’t - Lower NSC feed MagRestore makes a product called “Focus” that has helped a friends mare level out. A job, a hard one. Or at least making sure she is worked 5-6 days/week and worked well. Sometimes they just need to learn to appreciate days where the work is light.
I was going to recommend something similar. I have a mare and gelding (full siblings) that were nervous and hot most of the time. I started them both on MagRestore and the change in their behavior was incredible. All of their bad habits disappeared in days. They quit pawing while tied, were much calmer in the trailer, and both stopped shaking their heads when ridden.
From what I've read, it will only help if your horse is truly magnesium deficient though. My friend tried it on her mare that's hotter, and it didn't have nearly the same impact.
I haven't tried the Focus supplement, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt! Good luck! | |
| |
| |
Folks on-line