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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

my horse is having a mild mental breakdown :o(

82 replies

MitchyInge · 03/03/2009 10:52

he's really upset about being temporarily housed next to a new horse - a stallion

new one is only going to be there a week but have never seen my boy so agitated and unhappy, he's always been prone to scraping the ground and kicking the door and so on - doesn't do well when stabled too close to other horses and has broken a few doors in his time

what can I do to help him a feel a bit more settled for the next few days until the stallion goes and his normal next door neighbour moves back in? (not that he likes him either but it's nothing like this bad)

was even wondering how he'd fare living out for a few days, maybe with an extra rug? he prefers that anyway but not sure if it is still a bit cold?

OP posts:
Original poster
MitchyInge · 12/03/2009 09:20

No he's not being ridden at all, I don't know how the calmer thing came about, I think it was suggested further up the thread?

That's another good idea of yours though, doing a few days DIY here and there. Especially when he's sleeping out again

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Nekabu · 12/03/2009 12:02

If he's used to quite a heavy work load and isn't getting it, plus he has a sore back so is in discomfort/pain, then that could easily be what's causing him to be a bit of a pain in the stable, especially as he has a stallion next door. I would save your money (sounds like you'll be needing it to sort his saddle and back out!) and see how he is when things are back to normal.

Good luck with the occasional DIY ... if you're ever in the West Country I have plenty of pony-poo for you to get to grips with ...

Original poster
MitchyInge · 14/03/2009 12:36

I love horse and pony poo!

I lunged him yesterday, to hilarious and none-too-safe effect - he really wants to work though, I suppose he is losing fitness by the day

I might just read up a bit on how to lunge properly because I'm sure they're not supposed to canter up to you halfway through and nudge you for a polo?

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Nekabu · 15/03/2009 09:29

"I might just read up a bit on how to lunge properly because I'm sure they're not supposed to canter up to you halfway through and nudge you for a polo? "

Depends on which book your horse is reading ...

Owls · 15/03/2009 20:13

Mitchy you do make me I want your gung-ho spirit.

Not sure what I was wittering on about regarding the calmers - think I've got managed to confuse everyone. Nebuku, I will try the Magnesium Oxide. That's it really - not looking for calming as such just take some of his three year-old nervous anxiety away if possible.

Original poster
MitchyInge · 16/03/2009 09:48

I wonder if I could take him for a walk? Sort of like a hack but with me on foot?

He must be so bored, and I probably shouldn't try the lunge again without supervision

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Original poster
MitchyInge · 16/03/2009 09:49

(PS - I wasn't that gung-ho, I squealed and ran in the opposite direction )

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Nekabu · 16/03/2009 13:25

Is he in all the time then?

Original poster
MitchyInge · 20/03/2009 16:00

he was in for a few days recently, apart from being turned out in the school where he charged round madly before kicking the gate to be let out again - but normal turnout has been resumed (fields are recovering) AND his back is better at last!

all we need now is a new saddle! he is going to be fun to ride at first isn't he?

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Owls · 21/03/2009 18:51

Good news about his back. He may well surprise you by being really laid back when you start riding him again.

Mind you Mitchy, you'll just go with it anyway!

Talking of saddles, anyone had experience of Wintec easy change gullet system? We've been trying to change ours this afternoon. Lots of swearing, pulling, sweat and tears and still no go. I've put a call in to a saddlers and somebody is supposedly going to call me back tomorrow.

But it's supposed to be EASY to change. But we can't do it. Sob.

Pixel · 21/03/2009 20:50

As I was going to the saddler anyway to buy a new gullet for my Wintec I took the saddle with me and asked him if he would show me how to change it properly as it was my first go (I'd bought the saddle off him originally). Well, despite being a master saddler of many years experience he sweated and cursed for about half an hour trying to get the old gullet out. At one point he said he was going to have to keep the saddle so he could drill out the bolts/screws (or whatever they are) but eventually he managed to undo them. I wasn't impressed either at the 'easy change gullet system'! The saddler said he quite often gets this problem and sometimes he's sent new saddles back to the manufacturers in disgust. It's especially embarrassing for him if he's gone out to fit a new saddle and he can't change the gullet.

So don't feel bad that you can't do it, if I hadn't taken mine to the saddler I'd have been in the same boat! I'm hoping that it will be easier if I have to change it again, now that it has been undone once.

Pixel · 21/03/2009 20:51

Btw, my sister changes her Wintec with no trouble at all. We've just been unlucky I think. Not really good enough though is it?

Owls · 21/03/2009 23:02

Ahh thank you Pixel. It's now sat by my feet with me glaring at it occasionally as if that's going to make a difference.

I've unearthed a bottle of WD40 so I'm going to spray the screws tomorrow and have another go but do wonder if, from your experience as well, it's a bit of a "dodgy" one. So frustrating. Like you say, it's really not good enough when it's sold as "easy change". Not in our experience obviously!

Original poster
MitchyInge · 22/03/2009 21:45

how did you get on with your gullet?

lunged again today, with help! he was a good boy and it was much more controlled, I even remembered to put a hat on and kept the lunge line off the ground the whole way through

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Owls · 24/03/2009 12:27

No go with the gullet. So frustrating will have to take it to a saddler.

Well done with the lungeing? Have you ridden him yet or you still sorting your saddle? A tip - of you decide on a Wintec make sure that they show you in the shop how "easy" it is to change the gullet!

How's everyone else?

Original poster
MitchyInge · 24/03/2009 12:37

no riding yet - it does mean I get to ride lots of others though, so it's been interesting to see which problems I bring with me and which are strictly a 'me and him' affair

hope the saddler sorts it for you, I was looking at the all purpose wintecs but there didn't seem to be enough going on in the knee department for jumping - nor did it look as if it would clear those high and long withers

my alternative is another thorowgood I suppose, or a really cheap s/h leather one like the Ideal he came with (it didn't fit him but it was lovely for me ) but still haven't quite got the £££ together

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Original poster
MitchyInge · 24/03/2009 12:38

'knee department' is the technical term

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Original poster
MitchyInge · 04/04/2009 22:47

he is BETTER

rode him today, old saddle miraculously fitting again I was so nervous, expecting him to be more than a bit fresh but actually he was lazy mclazyson from lazyville

have missed him so much

did not fall off!

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Pixel · 05/04/2009 20:30

Mitchy, I thought you didn't do nervous . Very glad he is better though, especially with this gorgeous weather. Strange about the saddle, do you think something else could have been amiss instead?

Original poster
MitchyInge · 06/04/2009 09:38

It might have been his stable rug, I probably posted about it 100000 times last year - he'd been without rugs for ages when I bought him, I was told he can't wear rugs because he gets swollen withers. I just assumed the previous rugs didn't fit properly so got a nice turnout rug with long, full neck, no seam, beautiful fit and a stable rug that ended well above the withers and enjoyed his new shininess. Then it all started again, and it seemed the saddle just didn't fit despite being reflocked - but now it does, although we have fine-tuned it a bit with the 'fish'. Poor boy. Hope to make amends by putting him on blue chip instead of equivite

I didn't want it to be the rugs, I still don't see how the New Zealand could have put any pressure on his wither zone at all but I can see how the stable one could work its way back a bit - he must be very very sensitive there Anyway one freshly cleaned 6' 3" stable rug on offer if anyone is interested? It's a not very masculine salmon check sort of design.

As for nerves I was so shaky yesterday on our micro-hack (about 10 minutes!) especially as he kept turning his head so I could see the manic gleam in his eye - not only did I fall off 3 times on Friday I also had a little fall the week before and my body is protesting all over. Time to take my riding a bit more seriously!

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Original poster
MitchyInge · 06/04/2009 09:40

Owls, did you ever get that gullet changed?

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Pixel · 06/04/2009 20:51

Lol at 'manic gleam'. Glad you didn't fall off. It's the lunge with no stirrups for you my girl!

That's a shame about the rugs but at least you haven't got the hassle and expense of a new saddle. I could understand it if we all still used heavy canvas rugs and jute rugs with surcingles and loads of blankets (oh the memories!) as they used to rub if we weren't very careful. Modern rugs are so lightweight you wouldn't think they could do any damage. Your poor boy must be very sensitive (either it's a sign of 'breeding' a bit like the princess and the pea, OR he's a big wimp ).

Your rug sounds rather smart actually but my boy doesn't get to ponce about in a stable, he has to live the hard life. Poor baby!

Original poster
MitchyInge · 07/04/2009 08:42

yes, no stirrups are the order of the day - although my other fall was before I'd even got on, when I brought this grumpy ginger mare to the mounting block, realised I hadn't added stirrups to the saddle, tried to spring aboard anyway when she took off in a huff

totally self-inflicted

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Owls · 07/04/2009 22:09

Mitchy you are a loon you make me laugh. How do you forget to put the stirrups on?!

Gullet changed. Took two people in the saddlers about 20 mins with lots of huffing, puffing and gritted teeth swearing. They said they hate these saddles as they've always found them a nightmare. They are NOT easy change unless you are the Incredible Hulk in a really bad mood. Or like Pixel's sister you get a one-off good one by the sound of it.

Bought it home and thankfully fits.

Now fingers crossed for some good weather this Easter weekend and I will get on for a quiet walk and maybe trot!

Talking of rugs, our old pony was really sensitive to his. Nothing to see but developed back problems after wearing his in the Winter. Left him without after that and spending £££ on physio for him and he was fine.

Nekabu · 08/04/2009 09:13

MitchyInge, please don't get the hump but as your horse has been having back problems and issues with his saddle, unless you are fab at sitting trot and he has tons of back muscles to support you and moves freely through his back from behind, rounded and supporting the weight of the rider correctly, please don't have no stirrup lessons lunge lessons on him. You're at a riding school so they must have other suitable horses you could borrow? It's just his back might still be a little sore.

Glad you didn't hurt yourself in your recent falls!