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I am so confused and befuddled by my horse I don't even know what to say. So, let me start with up until the last month, my 18 year old gelding has been just about perfect. He had rare small episodes of getting excited but for 95% of the 2 years I have owned him, he has been the perfect gentleman.
Until last month.
We were at a small show, nothing new to him, but this show was the first one where he stayed excited and called from the trailer the whole time. And for his classes, was a complete handful, I suppose from getting himself worked up at the trailer. When our other horse, a mare, was around, his behavior somewhat improved but it was only towards the end of the day, when I suspect he wore himself out, did he stop and went back to his timid calm self.
So, my immediate conclusion was the beginnings of buddy sour (we only have the two and they were pastured together and hauled together, etc etc). I wasn't for sure, because it literally happened overnight, but it was all I could think of. So when we got home from that show, I immediately separated them. Different pastures, with clear views of each other, but no actual contact other than riding time.
And now, he is almost a nightmare to ride. Prancy, high-headed, unfocused, a bundle of nerves about to explode, won't walk, balking around the 3rd barrel. The list goes on. and on. And it literally has only started the last month, I can pinpoint the moment it started (at the show mentioned earlier).
Any ideas????!!!!!! No bit changes, has had his teeth floated in the last 3 months, no changes. at. all. I am at a loss.
Until last month.
We were at a small show, nothing new to him, but this show was the first one where he stayed excited and called from the trailer the whole time. And for his classes, was a complete handful, I suppose from getting himself worked up at the trailer. When our other horse, a mare, was around, his behavior somewhat improved but it was only towards the end of the day, when I suspect he wore himself out, did he stop and went back to his timid calm self.
So, my immediate conclusion was the beginnings of buddy sour (we only have the two and they were pastured together and hauled together, etc etc). I wasn't for sure, because it literally happened overnight, but it was all I could think of. So when we got home from that show, I immediately separated them. Different pastures, with clear views of each other, but no actual contact other than riding time.
And now, he is almost a nightmare to ride. Prancy, high-headed, unfocused, a bundle of nerves about to explode, won't walk, balking around the 3rd barrel. The list goes on. and on. And it literally has only started the last month, I can pinpoint the moment it started (at the show mentioned earlier).
Any ideas????!!!!!! No bit changes, has had his teeth floated in the last 3 months, no changes. at. all. I am at a loss.
