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 Member
Posts: 28
| I actually decrease his feed in winter because we are not blowing and going much. Will definitely check into the Ultium feed and the hair analysis - interesting. If it will tell me what he is lacking I am all for it. So honestly, y'all think it may be more of lacking something than a respect issue? I have went over and over it, how can he be so respectful and responsive during the summer and early fall then do a 360 when it gets cold and the grass is gone? Makes no since to me being a respect issue when I look at it like that, unless its that he is not getting ridden as much so he is showing his butt... Great ideas everyone, thank you so much... |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
   
Location: MD | canchaser79 - 2014-01-18 7:55 AM I actually decrease his feed in winter because we are not blowing and going much. Will definitely check into the Ultium feed and the hair analysis - interesting. If it will tell me what he is lacking I am all for it. So honestly, y'all think it may be more of lacking something than a respect issue? I have went over and over it, how can he be so respectful and responsive during the summer and early fall then do a 360 when it gets cold and the grass is gone? Makes no since to me being a respect issue when I look at it like that, unless its that he is not getting ridden as much so he is showing his butt... Great ideas everyone, thank you so much... Have you tried tying him up for hours?
ETA I know some people disliked my post. From reading about this horse on a computer screen he just sounds like he needs to be WORKED. So he's too focused on the job to act stupid. Sorry, just my honest opinion. I don't like babying horses if there's no need to.
Edited by CE's wrapn3 2014-01-18 9:15 AM
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | I'd agree with taking him off grain totally and see what happens.... |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| dream_chaser - 2014-01-18 8:54 AM
I'd agree with taking him off grain totally and see what happens....
Yep! Grain has always caused more issues than it helped in my horses and you pay $15+ a bag for the issues it causes! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| If this only happens in the winter months, are not riding him as much?
Wet saddle blankets, and a patience pole is what I use to get my horses to respect me |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | I guess to me it's like running a horse. When the horse starts acting up, do you discipline/work them harder or look for soreness? I would look for soreness, but work on the issue. It seems like it's a similar issue - he knows respect sometimes (seasonally), but now is acting up. So do you discipline or look for a mineral deficiency?
I know my mare has shown an improvement with consistent loose minerals and increased forco. She also needs discipline, but I'm not able to provide consistency yet so I'm going to hold off a little. She is at least tolerable now.
I had an old butcherer talk to me once about minerals, and how there are some minerals that can be gotten only through dirt or rocks, the ground. In my situation, I suspect that the lack of grazing and the pasture change (to a small dirt lot) has affected her mineral balance. I need to look into the horse hair analysis, from the little bit I googled there were conflicting responses on its validity. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | In addition to two-a-days, I would put him in a pen/stall rather than turn him out, especially if there's grass on the ground. When my horses are jerks, they don't get any luxuries: grain, turnout, etc. |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I would try looking at your routine when you haul, especially if your horse anticipates.
I've found with some horses, especially if they anticipate, that if you get there early enough to let them sit for a little while instead of saddling up right away, they're a whole lot calmer.
I have one that if you go to saddle right after you get there, he'll dance around and be an absolute turd. But if you just tie him to the trailer for about 30 minutes, his energy levels come down and he relaxes and he's like an old ranch horse. Totally different horse. He's been hauled a lot and it took me a long time to figure that out. I'd lunge him and all kinds of stuff to try to work through it. All I had to do was tie him to the trailer and let him sit.
Been to several ranch clinics these last few years and if I've learned nothing else it's not to step up on one until they tell me they're ready with their body language. It's not about whether or not you have to lunge one to get on, or wearing them out. I don't care about egos either. It doesn't mean a thing if you have to push one around a few minutes. It's about whether or not that inside eye and ear is on you, their head is lowered, and they're licking and chewing and totally tuned in on you. Get that at home, then go out and see if you can get it there too before you get on. Be patient enough to wait for it, too. It just takes time. Too often we get in a hurry and think we have to ride right then. It's not about riding right then, it's about getting that horse where he needs to be. The riding will come if you do that, IMO.
I'm a believer on tying one too, and letting them stand all day long around the action too. Does wonders for settling one down.
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Member
Posts: 28
| LOVE IT!!! Great advice, thank you so much. I left him tied to the trailer yesterday until the jerky head swingin', pawing and blowing stopped then tied him to the arena around the action, again waiting for the sign that he was ready to focus then stepped on and the difference was amazing... He was by no means perfect but it was a 75% improvement, I like those odds... |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| Great!! |
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | When you tie for hours, please feed and water. They start looking forward to seeing you. It goes along with respect. They can develop ulcers over time on this regimine. I wonder if some of this bad behavior isn't caused from ulcers?
Edited by skye 2014-01-20 10:19 AM
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Member
Posts: 28
| I am ashamed to admit, I am probably contributing to his "stupid" behavior... I am the worst at being rushed for time. So when we haul, whether it be to practice at the arena or to an event I am usually the one that slides in sideways and am running 100 miles an hour, hmmm, now that I think about it, I can see how it would wear on his mind/nerves just as bad as it does mine!!! I am thinking I need to re-evaluate my hauling process so I can give him/me time to mellow more. Could be part or all of the problem. |
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Member
Posts: 28
| I agree on the Ulcers, and have wondered about it lately. His acupuncturist did mention that to me last time I seen her. |
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | Ultium, made mine rocket ship, stupid. It is high in carbs and sugars, not as bad as some thou. |
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