Dunno what came over him today..

[FirenLady]

Rode Fire today and he was feeling lively and a bit peevish, but was behaving ok. I took him along side the road took a left turn then rode him back up the track this morning and he was fine. Turned around at the top to come back and about 1/3rd way down he became completley fixated on the dots that are cars that were moving along the road . He wouldn't take his eyes off them. He was jogging forward then plowing on the breaks, head high in the air. (he has ridden up there hundreds of times and never fussed before). I coulda seen this ending with me falling off so I got off and led him, every time he was bargy I'd make him take 4 steps back.

anyways managed to get him calm again so hopped back on, rode down the lane and went round the edge of the field. Then he spotted some ramblers. They were tiny in the distance, I could see they were wearing red and that was it. He became all upset started trotting sideways, then cantering sideways and When I stopped him from going forwards he started bucking then leaping and throwing himself around. (he doesn't rear and doesn't bolt, but when he gets upset there is all this energy produced and I think he has to expell it somehow; whether its going forwards or leaping). Anyways I'm not a very brave rider so I jumped off and led him again.

Got back on him further up and he was still jogging but I managed to get him settled.

Normally in Spring if its grass he becomes really exueberant but not grumpy, and how he was behaving today is the first time hes done that in un-pig related circumstances. The weather just fine. He has been an angel all winter, n today the devil came out. I schooled him when we got back till he was quiet again. Yesterday I did some jumping and he was good as gold. Tonight though he was still being grumpy and wouldn't let me put his rug on. His last grumpy day was 31st Dec when I took him out for a hack pretty late on in the afternoon, but he was just grumpy and that was it.

I feel pretty bummed about it, on Friday I was feeling like I might be able to get enough control and confidence to do some jumping comps this year. My OH's Grandad had said he'd take me and Fire to a 10 mile pelasure ride at Houghton Hall next weekend and I dunno if I should do it now I'd been plannning it for 2 months now... *sigh*

[fleabitten]

Oh firenlady! I think it was just an off day.. Its not like hes uncomfortable; you got the chiro out and his saddle fitted and all. From what you said, I dont think its likely to happen repeatedly, just once in a while. And I definetley dont think you should put off your plans because of one day! Youve been riding this pony for months, if not years And I know how disheartening it is - but it will be better the next day.

*Hugs*

[scattymare]

I agree with Flea. It's just an off day. We have them ourselves so I'm sure our horses have them too. Certainly don't let it put you off the ride.

[zara]

Sounds like an "arab" day, just write it off and try and forget about it, AJ has days like this and he scares the pants off me, then i get back on the next day and he's an angel. Don't dwell on it, think about the positives ir you got back on and got home in one peice! Look forward to your pleasure ride, good luck Zx

[spotti]

I am so jealous about your pleasure ride!!! I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally want to have a go one day (must get the ponio sound and fit first though) - please don't pass it up. Like you said, you've been training for it for months so just go for it! Yesterday was just one day and I'll bet he won't have another day like that for a while so forget about it and enjoy yourself on the pleasure ride

*is proper jealous*

[ceej]

who kmnows waht could have spooked him before you rode him to put him in a funny mood. Do you know I once heard about a lady whose horses kept going nuts in the spring time and she kne wit wasnt grass related. In the end she put cameras up to see if a dog was going in - do you know waht it was? The birds kept diving at them to try and grab some hair for their nests!!!

So you never know whats happened before you got there - put it down to a one off and dont worry about it next time you get on...(easier said than done, I know!)x

[racaille]

Bad luck, it's horrible to have setbacks like this, but hey, we all face them from time to time! It's part of the fun of horses!!!!!! Seriously, really try to think of it as just a one-off and put it out of your mind (easily said, I know) otherwise it'll start to put the wind up you! Do go ahead with your pleasure ride, it would be such a shame to miss it, and you never know, he could be an angel......

Silly question really, but is there anything in his feed that could be changed? It is quite incredible how it affects them - even gentleman Paco became a monster when he was getting too much luzerne!

[FirenLady]

Nope nothing has changed in his feed, if you can call it a feed he gets very little really.

Thanks for the words of advice guys. I'm feeling a bit more positive about the whole thing now , although it will be the first time he's been off premises in 5yrs! But usually once you teach him something he remembers so thats what I'm praying for. At least with a LDR we can get there and go rather than waiting around for a class.

I rode him yesterday in the strong winds, and he was very good really. Little bit weary but that was probably the weather. I didn't get a choice about whether we cantered on the meadow or not though but he actually cantered really nicely. I ride him Fri then he works quite hard Sat and Sun, I like to take him for a stretch on Mon and give him today off. He seemed back to his old sweet self this morning to handle . Not stomping around and trying to rub his head on me. So hopefully he will be back to normal now. Hes been such a Dobin all winter I think I may have just got used to that . So unless the weather is awful were gonna go for it. *We are big brave tigers *

although he tore his rug to bits today, grrrr then proceeded to roll when I took it off him very proud of himself

[FirenLady]

Mar 23, 2009 13:55:12 GMT ceej said:

who kmnows waht could have spooked him before you rode him to put him in a funny mood. Do you know I once heard about a lady whose horses kept going nuts in the spring time and she kne wit wasnt grass related. In the end she put cameras up to see if a dog was going in - do you know waht it was? The birds kept diving at them to try and grab some hair for their nests!!!

So you never know whats happened before you got there - put it down to a one off and dont worry about it next time you get on...(easier said than done, I know!)x

No wonder those horses kept going mad! not a lot they could do about the attach of birds! poor things.

[duckles]

That's great that he is back to normal- even the best have their off days- Go Tigers Go!!!

[maximum]

Spring fever is everywhere! today Max bolted off before I had even got the headcollar off and was seen playing and galloping about the field later and he is Mr Staid! He will never go anywhere fast if he can go slowly!