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| Joined: | Wed Jun 18th, 2008 |
| Location: | Dunnsville, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 881 |
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So I pulled her out of the field tacked her up- everything was normal- nothing of note except she called a few times to the other horses- she hasnt done that before while tied to the trailer (she has on big rides when she is separated from the horse she came with) I thought it odd- thought maybe she was in heat- no other symptoms of heat though- w/no geldings around I dont see much indication of heat issues with the girls until we are in mixed company. So tacked up- walked to the riding ring- all normal- set up some obstacles- all normal- she stood where I put her like I have taught her to.
Pull up the mounting block- checked her girth, put my foot in the stirrup and WHOA NELLIE! She pinned her ears and swung that head around teeth barred! Of course she knows that is a no-no so promptly swung her head back - but she was definately tensed up. I removed my foot checked the girth again, put my foot back into the stirrup- and same reaction- accompanied by a hoof stomp (but not sure if that was for the bee that was bugging her right then) got off checked the saddle- the bit loosened the girth then tightened back up- but not too tight - went to mount- Nope same behavior just MORE emphatic! So I took off her reins and asked her to move off- she did fine- gaited/trotted and cantered the arena and came back to me. She looked fine- took off the saddle checked everything- saddled back up (didnt see anything) same reaction- SO took her to the round pen - and decided to work her to see if anything showed up- free lounged her- she was absolutely fine- worked well- no attitude - did everything I asked -so not an attitude (she sometimes is girthy and will get ticked if I use too much elbow grease when brushing her-even when it is necessary to get the mud off) She was perfectly willing to do whatever I asked- no attitude at all- Saddled her back up to walk back to put the saddle away (its a long way back to the trailer/tack up area) Lindsay asked what was wrong- so I stood up on a stool- put my foot in the girth and yup- same reaction a definate NO DO NOT SIT IN THE SADDLE! I poke and even pounded on her back and really didnt get a reaction- I am hoping it is just a bad heat reaction- and if she is not back to normal on Tuesday (rain the next two days) then I am calling the vet out. Anyone have any experience with this?
She can be opinionated but she has never in 5 years reacted that way when I went to get on- even when the ground seat failed in a saddle I was using and really hurt her back (goose egg on the spine)
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Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa