I'm a little old school

Kodachrome · 10-21-2009, 01:36 PM

Why do we always have to assign a reason to why a horse is being a brat? Maybe they just are having a bad day. Maybe they just had a bit of pee in their hay that morning. They aren't necessarily in pain, chronically ill, lame, or anything else. Sometimes, they are just brats. LOL.

Just the other day Koda nipped out and got my shirt sleeve with his teeth. Now, he was just playing, it was something that he would do with a herd mate. If he had wanted to break the skin, he absolutely could have. BUT, at the same time - it wasn't appopriate behavior. I'm not a member of the herd, I'm the boss. He got an elbow FOR SURE.

His nip wasn't a pain response, as he was doing absolutely NOTHING. LOL... but, he was feeling full of himself so I had to take him back down a few notches.

belsenj · 10-21-2009, 04:50 PM

Beeks, now that I have her tack all perfect, there should be no more reason for her to act out, so yes if things continue, that would be a good idea with the round pen.

Kodachrome, agreed with certain situations and horses, but my mare has been known to swell up in the girth area before. And she did tell me the first time I went to touch it that it hurt, but I went to touch it the second time. And when I say touch, I mean feather touch. Someone did a number on this horse in that area in her past. I just look at it that I have another issue to take care of for her and work through it. This horse is an absolute sweetheart when treated correctly and is going from a fearful, flighty, spooky basically screw up in the head mess to a real gem.

Oh, I've seen her be just a brat and I act accordingly. I'm in charge, she's not. And I plan on keeping myself there.

Beeks · 10-21-2009, 06:01 PM

It is so hard getting a horse with issues which were caused by circumstances we will never know.

I would still encourage an evaluation by a chiro trained for equine chiropractics. My friends TB was dead lame on his left hind with no visible signs of injury, no heat, no swelling...nothing. Our farrier recommended we call his equine chiro which she did. Turns out there was a rib out of place on the complete opposite side near the front. Fixed him right up and no follow ups were necessary. He remained sound for the next two years until she sold him to buy a shorter horse. (He was pushing 17 hand and she is barely 5 foot.)

In another instance, my then BF sister worked as a trainer at the local track. They picked up, sight unseen, a very nicely bred mare at a rock bottom price. It was apparent why, when she was unloaded from the van. She hated the world. I have never been around a meaner horse in my life.

They called a chiro.

She had to be muzzled and snubbed in order for him to work on her. He started at her pole and took his thumb down her neck on both side with little twisting motions. With each twist you would hear a little "snap". By the time he was nearly to her withers, she was a different animal. They were able to take the muzzle off and unsnub her. She was licking and chewing like crazy and swaying her back end back and for like she could hardly wait for him to get there.

They ran her a week later and she took a respectable second. The best news however, was that she was an absolute sweety after that. They kept regular visits up and she went on to be a very valuable asset to her stable.

As you can probably tell. I am an avid believer in Equine Chiropractics and massage therapy. I think too often we forget how much we ask of these animals, that is not in the normal aspects of movement for them.

Good luck with her. Keep us updated as well.

belsenj · 10-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Sienna has had one chiro adjustment and 2 massages since the early summer and is due for her third massage. My massage therapist works at Belmont and Saratoga, is fantastic, and has been the guidance for me with Sienna's chiro issues. She is coming soon so I will have her recheck her to rule out any ribs out of alignment. The greatest thing about this therapist is that she has no problems letting me know if a chiropractor is needed for the situation as well. She also uses herbal and essential oils and well as some Reiki. She stood with my mare in the summer for about 1 hour and I cannot even explain the difference in my mares behavior after that time. It was truly amazing to watch my mare not flinch one little muscle for the entire time she stood there. And from that day forward, my scared spooky mare became a different animal.

I'll let you know how we make out. Thanks,

- Susan

Beeks · 10-21-2009, 09:22 PM

Excellent. I look forward to her updates.

10-21-2009, 01:36 PM	#21
Kodachrome Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,196 Images: 11	Why do we always have to assign a reason to why a horse is being a brat? Maybe they just are having a bad day. Maybe they just had a bit of pee in their hay that morning. They aren't necessarily in pain, chronically ill, lame, or anything else. Sometimes, they are just brats. LOL. Just the other day Koda nipped out and got my shirt sleeve with his teeth. Now, he was just playing, it was something that he would do with a herd mate. If he had wanted to break the skin, he absolutely could have. BUT, at the same time - it wasn't appopriate behavior. I'm not a member of the herd, I'm the boss. He got an elbow FOR SURE. His nip wasn't a pain response, as he was doing absolutely NOTHING. LOL... but, he was feeling full of himself so I had to take him back down a few notches. __________________ Kat Goal # to lose: 20 Total # lost: 6.8 13.2 # to go to goal!!! "Little Pickers wear bigger knickers..."

10-21-2009, 06:01 PM	#23
Beeks Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Washington Posts: 4,340 Images: 351	It is so hard getting a horse with issues which were caused by circumstances we will never know. I would still encourage an evaluation by a chiro trained for equine chiropractics. My friends TB was dead lame on his left hind with no visible signs of injury, no heat, no swelling...nothing. Our farrier recommended we call his equine chiro which she did. Turns out there was a rib out of place on the complete opposite side near the front. Fixed him right up and no follow ups were necessary. He remained sound for the next two years until she sold him to buy a shorter horse. (He was pushing 17 hand and she is barely 5 foot.) In another instance, my then BF sister worked as a trainer at the local track. They picked up, sight unseen, a very nicely bred mare at a rock bottom price. It was apparent why, when she was unloaded from the van. She hated the world. I have never been around a meaner horse in my life. They called a chiro. She had to be muzzled and snubbed in order for him to work on her. He started at her pole and took his thumb down her neck on both side with little twisting motions. With each twist you would hear a little "snap". By the time he was nearly to her withers, she was a different animal. They were able to take the muzzle off and unsnub her. She was licking and chewing like crazy and swaying her back end back and for like she could hardly wait for him to get there. They ran her a week later and she took a respectable second. The best news however, was that she was an absolute sweety after that. They kept regular visits up and she went on to be a very valuable asset to her stable. As you can probably tell. I am an avid believer in Equine Chiropractics and massage therapy. I think too often we forget how much we ask of these animals, that is not in the normal aspects of movement for them. Good luck with her. Keep us updated as well. __________________ Your horse called. He said "Get off the computer!" I've been "Gobbled" and I liked it.

10-21-2009, 09:22 PM	#25
Beeks Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Washington Posts: 4,340 Images: 351	Excellent. I look forward to her updates. __________________ Your horse called. He said "Get off the computer!" I've been "Gobbled" and I liked it.

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10-21-2009, 04:50 PM	#22
belsenj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 778 Images: 41	Beeks, now that I have her tack all perfect, there should be no more reason for her to act out, so yes if things continue, that would be a good idea with the round pen. Kodachrome, agreed with certain situations and horses, but my mare has been known to swell up in the girth area before. And she did tell me the first time I went to touch it that it hurt, but I went to touch it the second time. And when I say touch, I mean feather touch. Someone did a number on this horse in that area in her past. I just look at it that I have another issue to take care of for her and work through it. This horse is an absolute sweetheart when treated correctly and is going from a fearful, flighty, spooky basically screw up in the head mess to a real gem. Oh, I've seen her be just a brat and I act accordingly. I'm in charge, she's not. And I plan on keeping myself there.

10-21-2009, 06:43 PM	#24
belsenj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 778 Images: 41	Sienna has had one chiro adjustment and 2 massages since the early summer and is due for her third massage. My massage therapist works at Belmont and Saratoga, is fantastic, and has been the guidance for me with Sienna's chiro issues. She is coming soon so I will have her recheck her to rule out any ribs out of alignment. The greatest thing about this therapist is that she has no problems letting me know if a chiropractor is needed for the situation as well. She also uses herbal and essential oils and well as some Reiki. She stood with my mare in the summer for about 1 hour and I cannot even explain the difference in my mares behavior after that time. It was truly amazing to watch my mare not flinch one little muscle for the entire time she stood there. And from that day forward, my scared spooky mare became a different animal. I'll let you know how we make out. Thanks, - Susan