Why is my mare so spooky?
I’ve posted about my mare before and her ulcer problem a while back in this sub. She’s not in a perfectly healthy state, weight gained, free of ulcers, and had been really a superstar up until about a week ago. She’s a newly turned six year old, brave to the fences and not really reactive or spooky to anything. Even when she had ulcers or was stressed from import she still kept totally cool and would stand in the face of our massive tractor at night and not bat an eye. Last week, I had the worst fall I have ever had. I was walking her out after a lesson (which she was perfect for) and my foot tapped a standard. This knocked a water bottle off of it and she completely lost it. Our area is covered but not enclosed, it has a half-wall and then is just held up by a series of columns. Anyway, She did a dirty turn and I flew out the side of the arena onto the hot gravel outside (it was abt 90° outside). I think this fall has really scarred her, or something. She only bucked me once off before that and even after there was no hard feelings. She had just gotten checked by a vet and is totally fine. She also has been jumping between pastures trying to escape flies along with another mare (who isn’t in work, so her brain is scattered). I have tried extremely strong sprays, but it’s too hot for a sheet lately. My trainer some days puts her in the stall (in which she hates, she has stall anxiety as well 😔). Just yesterday I fell because someone was leaning against the viewing platform, which is level to the top of the half wall so the people sit higher than the arena. My mare had NEVER liked the platform, but before our incidents she would tolerate it and trot right by it. She is on gut supplements already, and takes magnesium. I feel exhausted and I’m tired of falling. I can’t get through a lesson without her exploding. On the ground she is perfect and practically bombproof. I just want to know what other people do when their horses become like this? I know the falling isn’t good for her and could possibly make her worse, but I cannot train her in a vacuum. I am trying my best, I am working with a trainer! Also I know the first line says she’s not in a healthy state, she is, reddit won’t let me edit lol. pic of the goofy goober
I’ve posted about my mare before and her ulcer problem a while back in this sub. She’s not in a perfectly healthy state, weight gained, free of ulcers, and had been really a superstar up until about a week ago. She’s a newly turned six year old, brave to the fences and not really reactive or spooky to anything. Even when she had ulcers or was stressed from import she still kept totally cool and would stand in the face of our massive tractor at night and not bat an eye. Last week, I had the worst fall I have ever had. I was walking her out after a lesson (which she was perfect for) and my foot tapped a standard. This knocked a water bottle off of it and she completely lost it. Our area is covered but not enclosed, it has a half-wall and then is just held up by a series of columns. Anyway, She did a dirty turn and I flew out the side of the arena onto the hot gravel outside (it was abt 90° outside). I think this fall has really scarred her, or something. She only bucked me once off before that and even after there was no hard feelings. She had just gotten checked by a vet and is totally fine. She also has been jumping between pastures trying to escape flies along with another mare (who isn’t in work, so her brain is scattered). I have tried extremely strong sprays, but it’s too hot for a sheet lately. My trainer some days puts her in the stall (in which she hates, she has stall anxiety as well 😔). Just yesterday I fell because someone was leaning against the viewing platform, which is level to the top of the half wall so the people sit higher than the arena. My mare had NEVER liked the platform, but before our incidents she would tolerate it and trot right by it. She is on gut supplements already, and takes magnesium. I feel exhausted and I’m tired of falling. I can’t get through a lesson without her exploding. On the ground she is perfect and practically bombproof. I just want to know what other people do when their horses become like this? I know the falling isn’t good for her and could possibly make her worse, but I cannot train her in a vacuum. I am trying my best, I am working with a trainer! Also I know the first line says she’s not in a healthy state, she is, reddit won’t let me edit lol. pic of the goofy goober