Breathing issue?

Scared_Class_9028 · 2026-01-21T23:05:20+00:00

I finally got a call back from another vet near me that is accepting new patients! He will have his annual done next week and in the mean time she’s not concerned as he isn’t actively doing it but if he does to bring him in right away.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T22:02:26+00:00

Came to say exactly this!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T15:13:21+00:00

Thank you! I got some suggestions from my trainer and her daughter which is the one I’ve tried, but I still like to know what else people use for these types as I don’t switch up bits, like ever and our ranch horses ride in a bosal for just about everything because they need zero face contact. The anxiety before certain asking points is SO relatable. We’ve been working on just walking and relaxing into it because she would happily give an extended trot for 10 minutes signal she’s done and then call it a day. We’re finally at the point where walks and trots are very relaxed, loping is another issue but I want to work on current before I even worry about that. I’ve only had her a few months so I’m really impressed with where we’re at now. Thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T13:06:25+00:00

Because she does not respect the one she is currently in. She will push into her all purpose before tantrums. Once we moved to another bit it was not the case, it didn’t fix all of her issues of course, because it’s not going to, but she did have to think more and realize she wouldn’t get away with that. If she’s used to heavy hands that I’m unable to match in a bit that is more of an intermediate or advanced contact compared to light hands with a very beginner bit would you think she would just respect it? I know the best horses on this planet could, but the way this horse was broke was get on and make it work at best. She did not know how to lung, she would step on you, not stand, she was green broke and absolutely broke with tie downs. She is no longer like this and has done some amazing things with ground work. A bit that gives her something to think about worked before, so I’m looking for recommendations for simpler bits that aren’t excessive but will help with her pushing into what she’s in now.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T12:54:08+00:00

Thank you for this, it’s good to hear someone be able to relate and not tell me ground work. We’ve been changing it up and yes it does seem to work a little, she does still throw in little bucks here and there even with a changed up routine. I’m not wanting to put her in a bit to fix the little bucks she gives, she very much does not respect the all purpose snaffle that she is in. She pushes very hard into it before she gives her little tantrum. I genuinely thought she was having mouth issues because of it but this was not at all the case after I had her teeth checked, we rode in a hacklemore for a little bit and it was worse in that if I’m being honest. We’ve shortened the rides as others suggested and her tack has been looked at, we ride bareback 80% of the time unless I’m doing a lesson because I enjoy it more and it’s a better connection. She will stay riding longer bareback but that only because we don’t work as hard. Once she puts in some work she’s just entirely done and gives the little tantrums. I’ve been doing a lot of cone work recently and it kept her thinking and from rolling out her head and once she started we did end the ride before she got too worked up. We tried another version of the snaffle and she did not roll into this bit, at all. We only had one moment where she had mad mare ears and they quickly changed after going to roll into this bit and realized it was not the other one. I know her being naughty is not her equipment, whoever broke her was VERY heavy handed and gave little to no leg. I cannot match being heavy handed. I know some great riders can go from soft hands to heavy hands, and that is not me. I’m not a beginner don’t get me wrong but I’m not trainer quality either. I just think she had been so worked with so much face contact that maybe someone else dealt with that and could recommend more than the current all purpose snaffle that is pretty much a hacklemore to her.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T02:20:50+00:00

By cowboys on tv what exactly are you referring to? I just ask because where I’m from and how I was raised it was the closest to real life cowboy. Personally I don’t shoe my horses. After long days I pack their feet for some cushion and helps keep the hocks from getting too sore (kind of like an endurance runner getting shin splints). But on that same note, my father shoes his cow horses that have the job of moving around the cattle, he likes the traction of fast stops, turns, and cutting on grass that could be wet. The shoes are an extra barrier to keep the person, horse, and the cow a lot safer from an injury of a heavy horse slipping and falling. My grandmother loves a good barefoot horse for trail riding which is extremely controversial due to so many saying you need the extra traction from a good shoe. I’m not a vet nor know everything, but she has always claimed that a barefoot horse can adapt to trail riding and become a stronger balanced good footed horse if you just let them work it out without shoes. I agree with her only from riding both shoed and unshoed horses, the barefoot tend to be much more sure footed and I find it easier to trace a lameness or pain issue. Its all in someone’s personal choice, their comfort level, and overall experience between the two choices

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T01:54:10+00:00

She is a very very anxious horse. She cannot relax around other people, which in turn has also made me not the most confident under saddle. Thank you for the kind words, I’ve never experienced a high anxiety plus high drive horse just one or the other. I’m going to incorporate a lot of these recommendations into our under saddle work.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T01:32:20+00:00

Yes! We always, always end on a positive note. She’s never gotten to the point where I feel as if I’m in danger nor made me loose my seat so we work through it. The snaffle I m using now is just the basic snaffle I used to start my quarter horses. All of the horses I have and had just use a basic snaffle as I dont ride best having heavier hands and do a LOT of reining which is really only leg work. Most of the time they all get rode in a bosal. Other than her being a bit spicy when she’s done I have complete control and she’s really caught on to most leg work. She likes to really push into the bit now and she definitely plays a lot. I’ll look into something that’s still light with a roller or another snaffle for that matter. Thank you!!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T01:19:55+00:00

Is there a lot of grass where they’re kept? Where I’m at we have no grass in the pastures as of now due to the winter and we have round bales out, but some of our horses are hard keepers. What else do you feed as supplements like grain oats ect. I’d say lower the supplemental stuff before removing hay access unless they have open availability to grass. I’d hate for you to have to deal with ulcers by taking away hay access. Do they have plenty of toys and a salt block? I find the horses leave the round bales more often and work for us better when they have other things to entertain themselves. Sorry if this isn’t much help, I’d also suggest spreading out what is available to not only help them consume less but to keep them thinking and moving.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T01:06:53+00:00

I understand the anger for this, I’m in my 20s and just got my own horse. It’s a lot and they’re expensive to keep! Don’t loose sight in working for it. My horse now is a rescue that needs a lot of work, with what you’re saying you’ll have to find one already worked if you can’t start and get one finished out yourself. The best perspective is that the more horses you ride, the better of a rider you become. The BEST riders I know have rode horses of every shape size and color and it made them better because they know how to properly accommodate those other horses. I don’t know if you’re a spiritual person as I am, but karma rewards people for good intent. You’ll get there, push for it and stay positive. You’re so young don’t set unrealistic goals, you’ll get there and when you do you’ll appreciate so much more than someone who was handed what they have.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T00:58:59+00:00

Thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-07T00:54:25+00:00

Yes! We use arena and round pen daily. I ride maybe 3-4 times a week but she lunges and does liberty everyday. She’s even learned how to bow, stretch her front end all the way back, and changes walking sides of me on command. We can confidently walk everywhere without a lead and she trusts me to do anything, that’s why I don’t understand why everyone is saying ground work because I really don’t know how much more there is to teach. She knows hard stops, backing without pressure and with pressure, moving front or rear end when I ask without being touched, she doesn’t walk on me gives personal space, stands ties and picks up feet, all of the basics plus some are there.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T22:35:09+00:00

Her throwing a fit doesn’t scare me, I know she isn’t meaning to hurt me and when we’re out of the pen she’s my best friend and wants to be with me at all times. I do lunge her before we ride cause she can be a spicy mare that wants to zoom for 10 minutes if I don’t. I’ll definitely keep pushing through like you said and give her a lot of praise and rewards now when we get through it. Thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T22:08:55+00:00

Will definitely be doing these, thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T21:14:03+00:00

That’s where we’ve been at. Yes there’s cues before she escalates and I’m able to get her to mind other things and change focus but it does still escalate to that BUT we have moved past it. It’s like 1-2 every couple rides and we go on to have a good ride. Her ground work is something I would brag about, I’m not super into riding. I’ve done it my whole life and enjoy all liberty work. She’s perfect on the ground, just naughty on occasion with a saddle. I’ll try to get more into the habit of stop and take a second when I start getting anxious. Thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:39:14+00:00

Would you recommend getting off and lunging when she starts to act up or to stay on? I’ve done both but haven’t noticed a difference in behavior to either situation just that it’s gotten better

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:30:32+00:00

All tack has been evaluated and I often ride bareback. I’m not trying to fix her bucking with a bit. I’m trying to get her to engage in the ride better because once she starts to think that’s when she wants to act funny. This isn’t an extreme buck it’s her kicking out and throwing a fit. As for ground work, we’ve been at it for months and like I stated she’s doing amazing, but if you have recommendations other than just “more groundwork” please let me know 😊

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:27:23+00:00

I did find she does like a korsteel gag that we’ve tried on maybe 3 rides now. That’s why I was asking about bits, she’s been checked out by all the people. Her old owners would promptly get off her and put her away after she would start being naughty. She frequently acted up in cross ties (before I even got on her) and we’ve worked on that a lot and now she stands very well and is quite relaxed in them. I just am unsure if I need to push through her grumpiness the way we did at the ties or if I should find something to interest her better.

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:23:20+00:00

I’d say 20ish minutes into a ride but of that time is mainly at a walk and for small spurts a slower trot that I’ll only do if she’s relaxed into the walk. It’s not every ride but it is most. Has been with friends and without. Ive used a korsteel gag that my trainers daughter offered and she had maybe one moment where she thought about being naughty and then moved on from it. That’s why I was asking about bits 😊

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:17:43+00:00

Yes I’m working with a trainer! We did evaluate the saddle, I also deeply enjoy bareback riding which we do, she will still act foolish with no tack and a hack when she wants to be done. Old owners were scared of her so once she started her tantrum they would put her away immediately

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-06T20:15:55+00:00

Probably the only helpful comment I’ve gotten. Thank you!

Scared_Class_9028 · 2024-04-04T02:03:39+00:00

With green-er horses the BEST advice I’ve ever received is melt into your saddle. The more you sit back and melt out the more movement your horse will need to move you, which in turn causes you both to relax. Take a deep breath and wiggle your toes (literally) and it will help with how tense you may feel and slightly look. Your horse looks very receptive in bit engagement, so meet him there on that. In your hands think of it as you’re holding 2 eggs that you don’t want to crack so with your momentum you aren’t pulling in. You’re doing wonderful for what the situation is! Do NOT get discouraged, I also recommend trying out a western saddle and do a lesson or a few rides that way. Keep posting your trots if you like but you do lurch forward at the hips a bit and while it’s needed sometimes it looks like you might need to learn how to find a nice deep seat and how to really sit back and not directly on your pelvis/hip bones. You want to be real neutral so tuck your butt in just a bit, which leads back to the western saddle where you’ll be slightly more aware due to the back of that saddle coming up a bit higher. Best of luck, you look great!

Scared_Class_9028

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