nutty horses

[icegirl]

Just wanted your thoughts really.
We have had some truly nutty horse behaviour at the stables recently with horses careering about, getting out of fields etc. My boy was a nightmare doing groundwork which is unknown for him, rearing up, trying to charge off etc.
Two things have happened different:
We have started on a new stock of VERY high grade hay and second, there have been some paddock changes. Mine had been sharing for a couple of weeks and he and his sharer hadnt really come to terms in that time - he was definitely lower in the pecking order I felt and not very happy about it.
I did the groundwork yesterday, just after the breakout of several horses who had trampled electric fencing and escaped.
Did some very structured groundwork, halting, backing up, turning circles etc etc, for about an hour and he had calmed down at the end, licking. chewing and following nicely. Thinking of doing a bit more today.
I have also put him back on the slightly lower grade hay which some of the outdoor ponies are getting.
Has anyone had similar experience, and is it likely to be the hay or the changes, or what? Bear in mind I am still quite an inexperienced owner!!:confused:

[Crazyhorse]

We had a horse at my yard who was normally fed hay and was so laid back, but then fed haylage you couldn't even get into his stable, as he was so bad. I'm not sure whether this relates to hay in the same way, but could be a factor. It could be this coupled with the paddock changes and also the weather.

[ambatt]

My PRE mare is jumping out of her skin at the minute and she is normally a very laid back girl. Her haylage ration has been increased by loads following the spell of cold weather and freezing fog.

She does a beautiful levade though:rolleyes:

[icegirl]

Ah thanks people, it is re-assuring to know that other peoples horses exhibit sudden changes of behaviour. I think that having had him since February this year and having established (I think) a good partnership, it took me by surprise. We had a bit of an exciting hack out today too and I am starting to think, where has my lovely peaceful horse gone:confused:
I am sticking with the lower grade hay mixed with some of the better stuff for the moment.