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Mirjam Groenendijk
New Member
Username: Mirjam
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 7:11 am: |   |
I have a 6 year old paso fino mare. She is a complete mental case. Got her when she was 2. She's been trained by an Islandic horse trainer because there are no paso fino's in Holland. Normaly she's very calm and friendly but when you ride her she can get into 'fits'. Out of nowhere she suddenly starts backing up into fences, gates literly runs into anything. If you get of walk her for two minutes she fine again. She cannot be trusted (dangerous) I had her checked and finally consulted a homeopathic vet. She is on Anarcadium orientale now, things have improved a bit. I really do not understand her. If she get's a fit she trembling allover and is really upset. Does anyone recognize this or hjas any idea's. Sorry if my spelling is not correct |
Dawn Anderson
Member
Username: Hot2trot
Post Number: 6
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 8:21 am: | |
Greetings, Mirjam. The first thing I think to ask in a situation such as this is...are you a nervous rider? Any apprehension you ride with will often be absorbed (and subsequently magnified) by your horse. Before you get on, make sure that you're as calm and relaxed as possible, so your mare doesn't think that there's a bear around every corner. There are definitely some training strategies that will help, but I always try to look at the individual horse's physiology as well. Have a vet run some tests. Are there any hormonal imbalances that would account for this behavior? I had been through a similar problem with my mare Contessa. I'd tried everything...including FEI recognized trainers...and while the extra training helped, she still had "episodes." What really worked for me was finding out from my vet that my mare is indeed "hormonally challenged." I've since put her on a wonderful supplement called "Mare Magic" (available at KVvet.com) It contains raspberry leaf, and between the relaxation, training, and herbal remedies, she's a much more solid-minded mount. If all else fails, perhaps you should consider finding a horse that better suits you...as hard as it is to part ways with a beloved horse, it could be the best option for both you and the horse. Good luck! Dawn |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9999
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 8:46 am: | |
This sounds like a avoidance technique that horses commonly used when trained inconsistantly: the horse did not learn to go forward properly. However we cannot rule out certain types of medical problems like mild seizures, though this would be very rare.
Since the mare is dangerous to your health we suggest you find a trainer that likes to deal with problem horses and see if a better trainer can make a difference: it really is the only way to rule out the possibility of seizures.
As is our standard rule when homeopathy is brought up, homeopathic remedies are not effective medications. They have no known mechanism of action that is compatible with what we currently know about physics, chemistry, or biology. For more information on homeopathy see: BULLETIN BOARD members only » The Lounge: Kick back and relax. » Alternative Medicine and Epistomology » Homeopathy: The Research.
DrO |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 263
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 9:08 am: | |
Well, Mirjam,
she does not sound like a complete mental case.
It sounds as if she is uncomfortable after a little riding.
First, check the mouth/bit/bridle. A normal snaffle can touch the roof on a horse with a small mouth, loose rings can pinch the corners of the lips and hard leather can abrade fine skin, all of which may give the "fit" you describe after ten minutes of work or so.
Then check the saddle and girth. Try a gel pad or something shock absorbing under the saddle. Check that the girth is not driving her nuts by being hard or overtightened.
If all tack fits and pain is ruled out, consider that she may be ticklish. Try to ride her with your lower leg not touching her side.
If all discomfort is ruled out and you are sure this is an attitude problem, one good whack with a stiff whip when she throws her fit usually brings all her attention back to what you were saying. |
robertjbraun
Member
Username: Rjbraun
Post Number: 76
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 10:07 am: | |
DO you have the right saddle? A paso fino is a gated horse if the saddle fit is rubbing high on her shoulder movement it can cause pain.A AUSSIE light saddle or PERUVIAN saddle may work? |
Mirjam Groenendijk
Member
Username: Mirjam
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 10:13 am: | |
Thanks for your reactions, tack problem is ruled out (spent a fortune on different gear), I sometimes go out with her when I am on a bike and she runs along, she can get into these fits as well (less though. The problem is that I really do not know how to handle her, she is extremely sensitive. She is last in picking order (I have another horse)I just do not understand her she not like any horse I have ever seen. I have tried different aproaches (the whip just made it worse) |
robertjbraun
Member
Username: Rjbraun
Post Number: 77
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 11:35 am: | |
Hi me again I got a paso also I GOT HER 4 MONTHS ago she was a real bitch .No one could get near her she was only ayear and a half old.Been working with all this time some days she is good next bad .I know what you mean about sensitive,WOW and how I wonder if they are all like that ? |
Alden Chamberlain
Member
Username: Alden
Post Number: 56
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 12:30 pm: | |
I’ve only been on one Paso Fino, a 4yo gelding, and he was like you describe before retraining (I was riding the horse for the trainer doing the retraining). I don’t know if they are all like that but this gelding was very sensitive and aware of his surroundings. After a couple weeks of very consistent work he was fantastic to ride, very sensitive to me (I had to be more aware of my body/weight position with this horse than any other horse I’ve been on), but definitely not for everyone!
I’d rule out medical, particularly the teeth and then find a good gentle trainer to fill in the training gaps.
Good day,
Alden
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Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 267
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 - 5:26 pm: | |
Mirjam,
Will her fits smoothen or occur less frequently if she has another horse to follow?
It sounds a bit like panic attacks, and there's nothing better than a trusting buddy to help them with their self-confidence.
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