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Anxious and High Strung Appendix Gelding

8K views 44 replies 16 participants last post by  Yogiwick 
#1 ·
Hey yall-- its my first post/day on here. I don't know what this community is like, so hopefully you all are not the stuck up know-it-all kind of horse people that frequent the internet. :-|

PLEASE READ: Feel free to skip to the bottom of this post for the shortened version of my story. I am on a computer and can easily get carried away with typing out more than necessary.

ANYWAYS. Here's my issue:
I have owned a, now 11 y/o, 17.1hh Appendix gelding for about four years. He was a solid NBHA 2D barrel horse before I bought him. I did barrel racing with him for a little while, then I got tired of it. He was very gate sour and would go to the first barrel and then side-pass at a canter away from it and ruin the pattern. Since I wasn't enjoying it, and he wasn't either, I thought we might as well call it quits.

Fast forward a year, and we started jumpers. He is a FANTASTIC jumper (I'm really not meaning to brag). He's a natural and was clearing 3ft jumps in my first jumper lesson with him-- this is where know-it-all equestrians say "OMG. THATS SO CRUEL! WHY WOULD YOU ALLOW HIM TO JUMP THAT HIGH IN HIS FIRST LESSON!??! IGNORNANT FOOL!1!111"-- but it happened under the supervision and instruction of a trainer I trust. She wanted to see what potential he contained, and needless to say, he can go MUCH higher than 3ft. It is what it is, and I only mention this in my post to give you all an idea of what amount of skill my horse has. Please do not comment on the fact that a trainer had me jumping a green jumper over 3ft fences in my first lesson... it seems that that is the part of this story that everyone loves to rant about. I've heard it already, so just do me a favor and don't comment on that one instant. Thanks. :-|

Back to the issue: I did not take many lessons with the jumper trainer as lessons are a bit pricey, and I have my own barn to work with my horse at (I have been riding horses for over a decade, btw). He learned how to pace himself over jumps very well. But, he started charging fences. Actually, this even happened when I was taking lessons. He loves to run and over-jumping fences is another of his hobbies. I got him in a Slow Twist Pelham and he began listening to me and the over jumping wasn't so bad.
I haven't worked with him on jumping in a long while, as even riding him western around my pasture has turned into a fight. He is VERY high strung, and gets extremely anxious. It is just not enjoyable at all! I've been basically just walking and trotting him in the pasture for 3 years and he still acts like a nutcase.
I was riding him in the pasture the other day, and ended up having to resort to turning tight circles (which he loves to do- no sarcasm) and he would try to side-pass along his way while spinning in tight circles. He would walk, but it was extended and jerky (I do not allow him to break gait when I am riding, especially not when he's so irrationally hot).
I'd really hate to constantly dope him when I ride, but after three years of trying to cool him down, he has barely changed. I would love to get back to jumpers with him, maybe even do a bit of cross country, but believe me when I say that he is too hot for that. There is not much for me to do with him when he is so anxious and high strung. It's not safe for me, and not fair to him.


****Short version of my novel: My 11 y/o Appendix gelding is too hot/anxious/high-strung to do anything with anymore. I've spent 3 years doing low stress activities with him, but he is still a special piece of crazy. He's a darling on the ground-- a complete ham. But I need help figuring out how to calm down my horse so that riding him is enjoyable (and safe) again. I'd hate to start doping him, but I'm at my Wit's End with him.

And by the way, his name is Alexander. I'm not sure why I typed out that whole thing using 'he' the whole time. :lol:
 
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#36 ·
All i will say from the sound of this is that this horse more than anything needs a JOB!

I had a hot mare growing up that wanted to run constantly, but you put her on a trail or in a trail class at a show (speed or regular) and she was happy as a clam. She would practically do the course herself even opened the gates for me sometimes. She was just so smart that being in an arena or riding down a rode didn't do it for her. Like you i could hold her back and do these things "although i wasn't scared to let her run full speed across the pasture sometimes but that can be scary so its OK if you don't. But she never changed i just learned how to manage her quirks and everyone thought she was the best trained horse in the county but I knew better. ;P

Point being it wasn't anxiety with her, it was just that she was so smart and full of energy i had to learn what SHE liked. Once I did we were a great team.
 

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#37 ·
To add my thoughts
Most horses that ride hot are worse when you hold on to their heads and the more you pull the more they brace against your hands, nose in the air and they soon develop that 'upside down neck' look
I doubt the sweet feed is going to make any difference to him - he's turned out in a field and if he's feeling full of energy he can run it off out there - but I would think he probably doesn't. I wouldn't feed it all the same - horses don't need molasses unless they've got a good reason too
I would add magnesium supplement to his feeds
I'm not a massive fan of side reins but I would work this horse in them before he's ridden until he learns to soften and give to the pressure. I'd have him in the mildest bit possible. If you're worried about holding him if he bolts off then try something like a Cheltenham gag with 2 reins so you have the either/or option
When you ride him stay relaxed - a tense rider = a tense horse
If you're riding in 2 point/half seat when you canter try sitting down (full seat) you'll have way more power and ability to hold him together
Several horses and ponies that I've had that were like this improved by leading them out off a quiet horse.
If he's only fractious under saddle then I would also wonder if he had some pain related issues going on
 
#39 ·
Another possible nutritional contributor in pasture composition. A neighbour had a horse who was perfectly amiable, and then suddenly developed shenanigans. She worked out it happened during the clover flush and put him in a kikuyu paddock, and he went back to his old self. She tried putting him back in the old paddock several times with similar behavioural results just to check, and now locks him off any clover during spring.

That was an unusually simple thing in an unusually simple case. Though this may potentially be a contributor here, I don't think it's likely the major one. Just throwing it in there as this is a brainstorm.
 
#40 ·
I'm not sure what, "knock backs" are.. I was just replying to your responses with what I have already done with my horse.

Thanks all for the help-- a lot of information has been truly helpful, but I can notice when tensions rise, and I guess I'll just get my bum out of here.
Maybe some say unsanft words when I scoot on out of here, but I hope you realize I'm not dragging my tail, not licking my wounds. I just really hate when I set myself up in a bad situation and it makes me feel a bit frustrated that I cant explain what I mean correctly all the time on the internet.

Hopefully you understand the above paragraph. I hope you all the best!

Prost!
 
#41 ·
And still you have not answered the question I asked.. did you even LOOK at the videos on the post I linked you to.

I would assume you did not and if that is the case, Golden Horse has identified you well.

Again, good luck.
 
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#43 ·
TheDunSpark, you would receive a lot more pleasant welcome if you took the time to address people that spent their time trying to help you. I have found everyone here on this forum to be a very helpful bunch, but people don't like talking into thin air. We understand that you may not be around to reply to our posts right away but people do expect to be acknowledged. It can be overwhelming addressing a lot of people, but that is common courtesy and what the multi quote button is for.

Forums tend to be a small world so to speak and people will remember how you acted. In the future, if you do really want help you may find that people are not so quick to help you.

That said, good luck.
 
#45 ·
Yeah I asked some specific questions that I feel are EXTREMELY relevant (has the horse always been like this? is he only like this jumping? etc) and didn't receive an answer. It's hard to be helpful when we don't fully know what's going on.

OP the reason people are getting frustrated is because every suggestions given you "knock back" with I've already tried that, that's what I do, he still doesn't listen.. When people suggest you try doing the same thing in a different way you get defensive. As you know horses are all about the nuances. Sometimes doing the same thing 50 different times will give you 50 different results. Try listening to the suggestions instead of dismissing them. Even if it's something you've already tried, say that and if someone suggests try it again maybe in a slightly different way just go ahead and try it. It is valid.

Also you aren't really giving any feedback to the ideas you haven't tried. Ask questions, seem like you're actually interested in the ideas offered. You said you've seen several good suggestions, that's great!, but up until you specifically said that nothing came across as you being interested, at all.

So give feedback! I think the riding his mind not his body is completely something to try (I think I said something along the lines of that earlier but it has been explained much better!) Do you think that's an option? Why? Why not? Just be part of a conversation and say something more than "that won't work" in response. :wink:
 
#44 ·
From my reading you have received some good advice here but all seems rejected as oh i've tried that:wink:...Sounds like you have tried bits & pieces of everything:shock: Anything get some form of improvement? even a little bit? that would be hint to what direction or type of method to go with him. Jumping from one thing to another in your bag of tricks offers no consistency:-(.

Working the mind is another thing all together & can be a very long process:-(. I have a gelding While his problem isn't the same as yours, being a high energy spirited horse but his issues are mind related:-(.Having my guy relax in his mind & body has been a challenge:-o. He is very insecure & untrusting with people.His body just tenses,fear in eyes just waiting & ready to come unglued. I was the only person for longest time that could handle & touch him without him getting all tense.I could write a book on my training adventures with him. He in a nutshell just needs quiet confident leader,the way you approach him,way you talk to him ,being consistent & never rush things with him. For the longest time I was the only one he would not be tense around,but he is coming out of his shell & warming up to others. He actually loves attention once he gets over his initial "who are you nerves". Reading him,his body language I can see if he's tense. His muscle tension,softening in in eye,relax in breathing etc. Before I try get him to perform I have to address his state of mind work on getting him to relax.Actually Makes me look at my own state of "relax":lol:
OP I understand Your approach with your horse will probably be different but just as others were saying Training mind is not same as the physical training. My advise have to really READ your horse,be consistent & go SLOW:wink:.
 
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