WHY IS MY HORSE MIS-BEHAVING?

by

John O'Leary
Horseman
© 2003

I have been prompted to write this article because in the last month, December, 2003, virtually every horse that was sent to us for re-education, in other words (Problem Horses), had various Veterinary problems which were the reason for their behavior. How unfair on horses is this? The mind boggles at what horses have to go through in this Country and it is mainly caused due to a lack of education about the things that matter most. How cruel?

Almost daily, I meet people who tell me how much they love their horses and that no-one can look after them as well as they can. They lecture me on the needs of the horse when they drop them off and I often tell them that I look after horses better than the owners'. They look at me with a dis-believing stare and we go about  proving the point with every horse that comes on to this property, in a way that counts. Listening to the cries for help of these much loved steeds, not with a brush or another rug

So, when your horse plays up, think Veterinary, un-happiness and confusion first?

  • Teeth. Over 85% of horses that come through my hands have teeth problems ranging from just being sharp to extreme cases of teeth growing sideways into the cheeks. Infection, wolf teeth, teeth growing into upper or lower front gums, lacerated tongue, one tooth longer than all the others and the list goes on. Please them checked by a  Accredited Horse Dentist who is armed with a torch and puts a 'Gag" on your horse. No 'Gag', no torch, no use bothering. Most Vets' do not do good teeth work. See photo's here
     
  • Sick horses inside. Worms and sand in their gut does not make a happy horse and can cause behavioral problems under saddle. Worm your horses every 6-8 weeks and treat for sand regularly.
     
  • Sore backs. This can be caused by ill fitting saddles or over weight people bouncing around on the horse. If you are over weight, go on a diet or buy a Western Saddle and pad. The horse needs more protection. If a horse has a sore back, it needs at least a week off and then the back testing before riding again. If you notice dry patches where the saddle was just removed from, get your saddle checked by a proper saddle fitter from your local Saddlery Shop. See Photo here
     
  • Failure to shoe or cut back and trim on the due date which should be around every 6-8 weeks. (No longer) There are plenty examples on this web site of horses with sore feet. This makes for unhappiness and everything up to buck jumping. Fair enough to. See Photo here
     
  • Horses that have breathing problems will have riding problems. Some horses have restricted airways and these can even close off almost totally if you try to ride your horse with its head down and round. If your horse sounds loud in the breathing, get it scoped by the Vet and do not attempt to ride it as a show horse. Pleasure ride it.
     
  • Rear end problems. Lot's of horses have sacroiliac or stifle problems. These often cause horses that buck jump from the rear end. They may be just having a temporary lock up of the knee cap but this can and does disconcert horses mentally and result in training and riding problems. Video the horse for the Vet. They often cannot tell by examination and almost always miss these problems at the Vet check.
     
  • Fungicidal rashes are another major problem. These are often hidden beneath the hair on the back of a horse or at other locations. They hurt, infect and inflame the skin. Then we go and put a saddle on them. See Photos of interest.
     
  • Arthritic conditions or sore feet is another major cause of training and attitude problems. Pain makes unhappiness and detrimentally influences training results. Any sign of shortness (lameness) in a horse must be immediately investigated and treated. Such horses should not be ridden in a performance manner and performance demands should not be made of them. Retire the horse and go get another one.
     
  • Any sign of soreness or heat in the feet of a horse should be immediately investigated. Shoeing should be watched carefully and always happen on time. Check for abscesses coming through the sole or wall of the hoof. Get your farrier to test for them or go buy a hoof tester of your own.

The list goes on and on. Please think about it. Try to hold your emotion whilst training and to think about these things first before getting all frustrated or shitty like most do. Especially you teenagers'.  If 100% of the last 20 horses that have come through our hands have had varying degrees of Veterinary problems, what do you think the percentage around the Country would be?

C'mon Pony Club, start teaching them the important things first.

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Mail: horseproblems@horseproblems.com.au