Not sure where to go or what to do next

[scrowley]

So I have had my 5 year old gelding since he was a yearling. We have been through a lot together. Biting, terrible two's, he kicked someone too, you name it he has done it. He is incredibly good to ride which makes the ground stuff such a shame. He went off for schooling, had a great time until he threw a splint. As it happened he did that and I ended up breaking my ankle at the same time!! Anyway I was assured he was O.K. no lasting effects and he stayed where he was happily working away for 5 months.

Once out of plaster I decided to bring him back to a yard more local to me..when we went to ride him he was lame, really quite lame and ended up having almost 5 months off work. He was allowed out in the field but where he was he was out alone, and never for very long. He spent more time in his stable. He got depressed and sad and so did I.

Once we had the all clear from the vet i decided to put him back on the yard where he had lived most of his life, so he could resume going out with his friends and being back with me so I could take better care of him. I would have done this sooner but there were no free stables.

Since he has been back he seems to have improved somewhat in his general behaviour but he's still the same horse. Weaving like crazy, stressing in his stable, separation anxiety from his field mates. He has never been one for cuddles but he has this attitude..tail swishing when being groomed and generally looks at you as if to say can you just go away I don't want you here. He has always been funny in his stable, its very much his domain. I have worked hard to get him moving back and away from me in there but he is not so good for the other girls that work at the yard and deal with him on a daily basis.

Its funny when we go in the school and I free school him he will happily follow me around like a little sheep so I do think we have some trust and a bond there.

I just want a horse that likes life, is free from worry and stress and one I can trust my children to be around. He is not that animal. I blame myself entirely, he doesn't set out to be deliberately naughty or horrible (although the people on my yard would disagree and think I'm mad for still having him). I know there is a nice horse in there I just don't know what to do with him next. My husband (non horsey) sees him as a danger and just wants to me to get rid of him to a dealer as soon as possible. I love him and it's not that easy for me. When he is lovely, he is lovely. Its just those times are quite few and far between.

Wish there was a place I could send him for a month and he would be cured.......oh if only. Oh and the bugger doesn't load so Id have trouble getting there anyway!!!

Thanks for listening x

[clipclop]

Sorry to hear that you are having problems.

One thing that I really got from reading your post is that the situation he has been in could well have caused gastric ulcers.

For me, this is something that I would look into first in your situation.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[holi]

I was going to suggest pain - a full vet workup???

[VeronicaF]

do you think,he thinks when he goes back in his stable he is going to be on box rest again? you said when he went lame he had a lot of time in his stable being depressed,in his mind could he hate his stable?

I think yes he needs checked by vets but also help getting an RA out to get into his mind in whats making him so unhappy.

also they will get him going in and out of a horse box like a baby lamb.
they will.

I really think the horse box and the stable are the same issue with him but I don't know if I am thinking wrong?



it would be so worth doing that,getting a RA out,you wont look back.
good luck and please come back and keep us posted how you get on

[portiabuzz]

:yeahthat agree with Veronica x good on you though for recognising the problems and trying to help and not punishing x