ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: arab needs a pacifier!

Re: arab needs a pacifier!

Susan F. Evans (suendavid@worldnet.att.net)
Fri, 28 Feb 1997 11:29:20 -0800

Hi Shannon,

This is just my opinion, and it may be way off base, but it sounds like
your horse is in pain and is bracing himself against it, therefore
(at least partially, perhaps) the stiffness and over-reaction when
you're on the ground and the wiredness when you're riding. I wonder if
the mouthiness is his way of dealing with the stress of being touched or
rubbed when that contact is uncomfortable?

I have a young mare that acted similarly when you touched her---she just
didn't want to be touched and reacted negatively even when I was just
rubbing and scratching and doing nice things. She also always wanted
her mouth on things---in her case the corral rails---when I was grooming
her. I thought that was just her personality and I also thought she was
just very businesslike---willing to go out and work hard but doesn't
want to be a pet like everyone else on the place does. I had a DVM out
that also does chiropractic and he found several very painful areas on
her body. He worked on her for about an hour and since then her whole
attitude has completely changed. She's relaxed and actively solicits
and competes for touching and interaction, and she sure is much more
pleasurable to be around. She also has become much more relaxed on the
trail, happy to just meander down the trail if that's what I want her to
do. I'm not kidding, the difference was like night and day.

I know I suggest this to alot of people, but you might try finding a
really good equine chiropractor and giving it a shot. I've had some
really excellent results with my horses and consider it a VERY useful
therapeutic tool.

Good luck!

Susan

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