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Member
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I have a mare that only acts up about 10 minutes before she runs. She only acts like this at barrel races. At home, she is a dream, stalling over-night, she is a dream, hauling she is a dream. It's just right before I run. I switch up her routine before every run, because once we do something once, she remembers, and were back at square one, so I do something different every time. She is extremely intelligent. I have even tried Oxy-zen(seemed to make her worse); Oxygen-focus (helped a little with a double dose); and Animal Element calming paste. I'm giving her the winter off in hopes that it will help her. She is a hot horse, and I am fine with dealing with that to an extent, but fighting before every run is getting old. The weird part is, she does NOT refuse or even hesitate to go in, she will run you over to get in, it's like she's on an adrenaline high. I have tried just getting on her and riding her around and then putting her back at the trailer so she doesn't think everytime I saddle she is making a run, which seemed to help a little, until she caught on to that too. Anyone have any other ideas for me to try? She is an extremely talented mare that I'm excited about if we can just channel this adrenaline issue before the run. |
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Regular
Posts: 82
| My pole horse (he's 25!) is like this! He's not bad, just VERY ready to run and he loves his job. What I've found that works for us the best is doing your normal warm up, then about 10 people ahead of us I get off stretch him, pick his feet out, etc. then just chill out with him. When there is 2-3 people ahead of us I slowly tighten his girth, step on, and stay chilled out until it's our turn.
Also, do you think maybe she could be feeding off of your nerves and excitement? That's what happens with my horse :) This routine helps to keep both of us calm! |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Thank you! I actually have done this same routine, and it really worked, then she caught onto it, and when I would go to get on her, she would act up, and it got to the point, I could barely get on her safely. I swear this is the smartest horse I've ever owned, and in this case it's not welcomed lol! Thank you for your help!
Edited by KEM 2016-11-30 10:21 AM
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
 
| When mine gets anxious before a run (other than just normal on the muscle behavior), it means he needs treated for ulcers. Night and day after ulcer treatment. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| I forgot to post earlier, she was checked and no signs of ulcers :( |
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Regular
Posts: 84
| What is she doing to be anxious and "act up"? Any issues once you get into the actual arena, or just previous to going in? I am having similar issues with my mare... While reading this I honestly believed I had typed it.. word for word.. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | When my daughter's horse is overly worked up before a run, he is usually feeding off of her body language. |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
Location: Texas | CrossDRanch - 2016-11-30 8:49 AM
When my daughter's horse is overly worked up before a run, he is usually feeding off of her body language.
Ditto to this. If you've had him checked for ulcers and he was cleared I would have to believe it's rider error. It's not just what's going on in your head that transfers to your horse, it's your whole body. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Duvall, WA | One of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard was from the great Ed Wright when dealing with a hot horse: Ride like you're drunk. It is so descriptive and so true, try to just kind of flop around and be sloppy relaxed. It works! |
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Member
Posts: 24
| You can't scope for hind gut ulcers. Might also check for hock and stifle soreness |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | They feed off of us. Sure but also some like it a lot. Which is what yours sounds like. We had several over the years along this line. What do on one was pony him a while to warm up. Then put head gear on before the run. And she lead him. Take off at a trot in front of him. Keep him warm a little. But it made her suck In more air. Breathe. A lot times in those situations your holding your breath. Which can add to anxious. Breath teach yourself to breathe all the way through the run. Just before her run. Pull cinch up into running position. Pull hate down. Lead him off a few steps. Get on set still. position him to where all need was go on. I always had a extra horses with us and would set by him and walk with her. Timing is everything with those. Don't add to the situation. Have someone set with you right the there. And walk with you up the alley. It's ok to give the horse just that little bit of security with another horse close. You don't want them to wash out by getting to anxious. Use that to your advantage. Breathe,relax, let the horse work. Good horses most always get anxious to go do their job. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Have you tried not taking her any where near the arena until just before your turn? Sometimes that helps. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I would consider treating for ulcers since you can't scope the hindgut.
I would also consider scoping after a run for bleeding.
If those 2 don't resolve anything, a friend of mine has a mare who is just a bit nutty, she warms her up well in advance as far away from the arena as possible, we walk up with her to the arena on foot, she waits as long as possible to get on, put on rubber bands, go run. We stand with her so she doesn't have to pick up the reins until it's go time. I will say my friend probably has a bit more nerves than needed, but the mare is pretty much the same with any rider. Neat little mare, but special is an adequate description. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| She side passes, paws, rearing a bit. She is fine once in the arena, and does her job, although the more I fight before I run, the sloppier her run is obviously. She doesn't blow it or anything, just not as pretty as she can run. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| KEM - 2016-12-01 7:38 AM She side passes, paws, rearing a bit. She is fine once in the arena, and does her job, although the more I fight before I run, the sloppier her run is obviously. She doesn't blow it or anything, just not as pretty as she can run.
I have one that will do this, I have to really work on myself, I had a friend enter me and she gave me the wrong run number I was three drags before I thought I was, they called my name and I had to hurry up and tighten up and get rubber bands on etc.. Guess what, without the anticipation of the run from me, he walked in like a dead head. I do give him a quarter dose of Gastro guard the morning of the race and it makes a huge difference. The acid churning around will make their stomach burn and hurt. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I put almost as much practice into the alley way as I do the pattern. The horse I have right now is not finished and is smart. He knows the difference between a competition run and exhibition. But, when we get to a run, he definitely remembers what I showed him in practice, about walking up the alley and waiting on me to cue him. I have hauled to one of the arenas I run in frequently and spent a lot of time just walking in and out. It works! When you get on to practice (this or anything, really) it's important not to have a time limit. Relax like you have all dang day just to walk in and out. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| I think I'm going to have her looked at again just to be sure. I actually stand at my trailer until I am in the same drag, then put the bridle on and go, there's no stopping once I'm going in the direction of the ring. I am going to have her looked again and scoped, and will also look into ulcer guard. Thanks! |
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Member
Posts: 7
| I think I will try that. The ring I run at the most has practice nights, so I think I will take her and just work the alley the whole time and leave, and never even run her. Thx!! |
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 Cotton Balls are the Devil
Posts: 1271
Location: My own little world! | I have an older horse who knows her job. I ride around at a walk or trot but when she starts getting hot, I just get off and hand walk her around the trailers or out away from things. Then I bring her in and get on as close to my name as possible. I just sit there and keep her as calm as possible. When we go to the gate, that's all she wrote, get out of the way and don't try and stop her.
Hand walking works the best for her. We can walk a lot but it keeps her calm and seems to keep her warm enough. |
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | THE Gastroplus works on gastric and hind gut. It's a cost comparable option if you think that might be an issue she is dealing with. We also have a money back guaratee. If you think it is just your nerves affecting her nerves, I have some calming cookies you can try. They use different ingredients than most other calming products. I have samples and would be more than happy to send some your way. Heck I know a rider that takes them herself  |
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