now she's trying to rear!

[Lucy J]

My young horse has gone from shaking her head and evading the bit to refusing to go forwards and starting to rear (only little ones, but scary enough when I'm out on a hack).

I am getting her teeth checked on Wednesday, as she is not a naughty horse, she doesn't just stop dead and refuse to go on, she generally seems unhappy, she used to love hacking out, this is really recent.

If it is not her teeth then what else can I do? My last horse was a confirmed rearer and although I did reschool her she still knew it would let her get her own way.

A flash noseband makes no difference and nothing calmed her down yesterday, not even a lead from another horse. Do you think she is in pain? Or could she just be trying it on? Please help.

[Sue Carnell]

When she went for schooling Lucy, did you take lessons with her too? I think you need professional help before it gets any worse. Sounds as though she's objecting strongly to something and if a month ago she was going well when ridden by someone else, it could easily be something to do with your contact/riding.

As things are deteriorating, you might want to ride her on a looser contact, at least until you've had her teeth done and then find someone to help you with her, if you can. Get her saddle checked out too, as if she's been in work for a little while now, she could easily have changed shape and it might be pinching her?

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[Mossy]

I would strongly suspect teeth and if it is teeth a flash noseband wil probably be making matters worse as it is forcing her mouth shut and pressing on the sore places. I must confess to being biased as if I had my way all the flash nosebands in the world would be ceremonially burnt so sorry if I am speaking out of turn.
Where are you as I can recommend a superb equine dentist who covers all of the Southwest. He may have contacts elsewhere.

[Lucy J]

I generally don't use a noseband, but as she has been opening her mouth it was suggested to me. I was also riding her before during and after her schooling with no problems. It makes no difference whether a strong or light contact is used. There is a vet coming to the yard on Wednesday to rasp 2 other horses teeth, so I was going to get him to look at Ciara, she hasn't had her teeth done before, to my knowledge, and if she needs sedated the the vet will be there. Apparently he is very good.

I do not want to ride her until her teeth have been looked at, I don't want her to associate being ridden with pain.

I was hoping to get a dentist out, but if the vet is coming anyway at least she will get looked at sooner rather than later and if its not her teeth he can check her over for anything else.

She has had a new saddle fitted and has been going very well in it, so I don't think that is the problem (when her previous saddle was a problem she would buck when uncomfy, but she hasn't been doing that.)

What is everyone's views on a vet as opposed to a dentist rasping teeth?

[B W]

Check her back. My horse did exactly that and his back was so sore. Poor saddle fit.

[Sue Carnell]

Oh, sorry Lucy, I was going on what you'd said in an earlier post where you said she's worse if you take a strong contact. If her teeth have never been done, that could explain it. Hopefully, she'll be back to normal after Wednesday's visit.

Good luck.

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[Lucy J]

yeah, originally she was worse with a strong contact, but now its all the time!

I'm praying its only her teeth!

[Dizzy]

My vet does Breeze's teeth, and he does a lovely job, his manner is lovely and very reassuring for Breeze. I had hers checked about 4 weeks ago and because she was so quiet he let me have a feel of her back teeth - I was amazed, they are so wide!

Don't worry too much about how she'll react, you're vet will be used to anxious patients.

I've got my fingers crossed for you that this solves the rearing.

Good luck

Lesley

[Lucy J]

SHe was great with the vet, turns out she had a wolf tooth and very sharp teeth on one side. I am now sitting with one little removed wolf tooth on my desk!

Fingers crossed this will solve the problem. No wonder a flash noseband was making her worse!

She always manages to find ways to get a week off work though!!!

[Mossy]

Glad to hear things are better.