Rabbitsfizz I figured out WHY he is skinney

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He is like the energyzer bunny that keeps going and going and going!

The pony barely has walk programed in, every where he goes he trots. He wont even stop to eat, he grabs a bite and bugs every one, or paces and then grabs a bite and runs all over like a mad man then comes back grabs a bite and paces the fence and so on. I let him in with Molly and Image for the first time this morning and as usuall, Boss Molly came running at him ears pinned but he just reared up squeeled and bucked at her - Shockingly the little fart is the boss, (Or trying to be) he sticks Molly in a corner if she comes at him mean (Cant say as I blame him, just shocked, most dont try to cross her even the first time) And for the record he is not the least bit pushy or mean with the others, just gets after Molly for being a ***** to him

He reminds me of my German Shepherd, keeping tabs on EVERYHTING like the world will come to a crashing halt if he isnt sure where every one is at every second. But he runs him self up and down the fence so much he was soaking in sweat when it was 45 degrees this morning! When I put them "to bed" last night he was spinning in circles & screaming - I dont think the boy ever just stops.

I tried to take him for a walk yesterday after noon and let Rodeo follow so he wasnt alone and its like he cant even concentrate, he just looks around and trys to go where ever he wants (trotting of corse) and spins when he rememebers he is on a lead - I told him he must be a crack pony.

I tied him up yesterday and he some how managed to get him self all tangled up and on the ground in a knot while I went in the barn for 2 seconds to get a brush because he simply does not stop moving. He is always breathing hard like a horse who just ran a race because he doesnt stop moving.

Any ideas? I dont think its because he is new and just moved here, Im sure this is how he normaly is, how do you teach a horse to just s-l-o-w down? I cant even get his attention on me long enough to hold still for 30 seconds or walk rather then trot on lead for 30 seconds - he is completly in another time zone. He comes right up all happy for attention then forgets what he is doing after 5 seconds and he takes off trotting again! You bring hay out and he eats like he is starved for about 30 seconds and he is off trotting again and only comes back for a quick mouthfull every so often.

Would total seperation of all the other horses be a good idea to get him to settle down or would that make him go more nuts? Maybe Im just to used to my horses who dont move unless there is food involved and they HAVE to walk to get it.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

One word: "Bonnie". I really really believe he is a perfect candidate for a Bonnie reading. Obviously he has some issues.

 

[New_Image]

Yeah....

I am at a loss, I know I just got him and I knew there had to be a reaosn the owners were more then happy to trailer him sight un seeen 4.5 hours north of there home for no gass money and only asking a the price of his gelding must have cost them, but she did say they will come get him if I plan to sell him right away, Im sure this is just the "normal him" but I dont want to sell him, I want to fix him! At this point him as Image's weaning buddy is kinda out of the question because there is no way I want my foal influenced by him alone all winter... I have Ernie in with the pony hopeing Ernies none moveing, dead calm, quiet and lazy personality will rub off a bit but last I checked he was paceing while every one else ate as usuall.

I took him out to the greenest tallest grass around and tried to let him graze but he just kept circleing me - took a half hour of just standing there letting him know if he wanted to stop and eat he could, before he would take a bite while walking and stop for a half a second.

 

[Black Magic]

I often wish horses could tell us where they've been and what's up with them. Our first mini was scary... he was sooo wierd. Two plus years later, he's calmed down considerably.

Later we brought home two half brothers.. that were herd bound. THey hadn't been shaved recently, so as soon as I got them home I clipped them, wanting them to look their best for our vet to meet them. One dear little guy, had scars by his jaw, the middle of his tummy and his neck. The vet said one scar looked like the guy was kicked by a mule, and then sewed up. I called the dear woman we purchased them from and asked, "what the heck happened to him? I saw the scar." Her response was, "WHICH SCAR?" His jaw had been wired at one point, his side was all stitched up, and his shoulder was too. The boys were under a year old, and now they are two. When I clipped them last, I just wanted to cry when again I saw this one hugh scar on his side...

At times, his half brother, that he's herd bound to, acts the same as you're guy. I think he feels now that he has to protect his half brother and play look out for him.

Silly me, for the longest time, I thought the brother was on the verge of colic, because he wouldn't eat in front of anyone, he'd just pace and run, and would just keep moving.

Keeping weight on the brother (who hates to look away to eat...) is difficult at best. But a few weeks ago, I saw the cutest thing. Both boys were standing under the quarter horse, and finally, they were both eating at the same time. I swear the little guy with all the scars... was staring up, underneath her, I think he was thinking about nursing off her... Good thing, she's such a good mare... and thinks the boys are her foals... Lol....

God Bless,

Lynn W

 

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I too wish they could tell us whats in there mind. I dont see that he has had anything so tramatic in his life, the past 3 years he was a pet/pasture buddy and before that he was at Royal Pony Farm where he was born.

I just wish I could figure out how to calm him down because it must be terrible going threw life like a spaz.

He is very herd bound and wants to be by Molly who wants nothing to do with him. Even when he is in with the other horses he will not stop trotting from horse to horse and paceing the fence!

Any one have any ideas?

 

[Margo_C-T]

Is there any chance this pony is 'proud cut'? Many of the behaviors you have described could fit a proud cut gelding, based on athe ones I've seen over time-behaviors that are in many ways stallion-like, only in some ways, not quite....just a thought. Might consider a vet's evaluation of him??? His actions sound sort of 'obcessive', not necessarily caused by some previous trauma--JMO.

 

[Marty]

Well, Nic, I guess he's nuts.

lol

Yeah, there's stuff you can do but you are going to have to let him atleast try to settle in a bit. Does sound to me like he's a rig or something too. Could be from the way he's acting around Molly. Oh happy day.

But tell you what I do with a horse like that:

I give them a job. A real good job. Something to make his mind focus. I'd be lunging that boy for sure and spend some serious time in the round pen with him. Get you one of those clickers too like Click Mini and train this guy big time. Maybe go the extra mile to teach him some tricks or something thrown in for a real mind bender too.

Feed this boy something that won't make him high either. Be careful about what you feed him and for pete's sakes, feed him by himself, tied up.

I'm not sure if I would keep him alone or let him socialize at this point. It's a toss up. It could work for you or against you. I have no idea until you try both ways. If you give him a buddy, he may get too dependant on him and that's no good for trying to work with him and train him. On the other hand, he should socialize, but sounds like someone is going to end up really hurt doing that too. It's a 50% 50% toss up Kid.

If he works himself inito a lather, like the other night all foaming and sweaty don't feed him cause he's going to get sick on you. I think before it's all said and done, this boy is going to get sick anyhow just for acting like a loon.

So glad you like a challenge.

I do so admire your spunk.

 

[js1arab]

I guess I had two thought here, probably neither is correct, but something to consider. The first is that he had a favorite buddy back where he came from and he is continuing to "look" for his buddy, hoping he'll be coming along any minute. Although I can see where the proud cut theory could also be an issue. My second thought was a little more serious and no I am not offering medical advice, just something you could discuss with your vet. Is it possible he could have something literally wired wrong. If there were a tumor or something affecting the brain, he could be getting the signal to be nervous, just like people do or something along those lines. I've heard stories of all kinds of changes in behavior related to spinal injury or brain impairement. I just thought I'd mention that in case all else failed, maybe your vet could investigate that possibility even though it is a small one. Leave it to me to be the one to have the odd thoughts LOL

 

[New_Image]

Proud cut? Possible I suppose. He was gelded in July of this year, Never bred I dont think. He was in the pasture with a full size horse and another pony to my understanding and he was the boss. From what Ive seen here he is not at all mean to the others, but he defiantly doesnt put up with Mollys crap, he wants to be able to do what he wants not be under her agenda. Ive kept him by himself, kept just Rodeo and Ernie in with him, and let him out with every one together. He wants to be by Molly it seems, I dont know if its because he isnt happy because he is not officialy the boss yet or if its because she is my only mare. When he was out with every one he spent his time trying to get by Molly and trotting from Molly pile to Molly pile and putting his smell there - didnt do that with the others, just hers. He is very obcessive with what he is doing. Marty a job is exactly what I though, never thought of the tricks, thats a good fun thing for him to try and learn. I have plans to lounge and or circle drive him tomorrow and see how that goes. The first 15-24 hours he was here he was not this bad which leads me to belive that this is the real him and before he was a little quiet getting to know every one threw the fence yet. As far as food he gets 1 cup of 10% sweet feed and 2-3 flakes, I try to keep hay there to fatten him up a bit for winter. I keep saying if I could get him to calm down and train him to drive (down the road) he will be one heck of a driving horse with the heart, energy, and action he has.

Im open to any more ideas!

 

[New_Image]

js1arab - The buddy thing, maybe. But as far as I know this must be what he acts like. From the pictures I got of him he was always trotting the fence line like he does here, and from what the owner said with out directly saying he is a little nuts, Im sure this is just him for what ever reason he does it. I have been trying to think of a darn good job for him and put his negitive energy into something positive but Im not sure if at this point he will pay attention long enough to do what I want, although we did try some "suppleing exercize" today where I pull his head to either side and say "Good boy" and keep doing that until he gets the hint to leave his head where I pulled it to, he did stand pretty well, seemed to enjoy that "job" maybe he is just one of those smart horses bored with standing all his life? Maybe he is just plain off his little nut

 

[Marty]

He was gelded in July of this year, Never bred I dont think.

Guess again..........hehe (giggles)

 

[Marty]

I really think you just bought yourself Sonny's little brother.......

and just think: I actually LIVE with him for the past 20 years!!!!!!

 

[js1arab]

The running from pile to pile is very much a stallion trait !!!! Did they have proof they gelded him???? I have a friend who bought a "gelding" and his coggins papers even said gelding. Guess again. He's had him for at least a year and no extra bumps if you know what I mean. Well, this summer he was playing in the pasture and the guy's dad asked what was wrong with Buddy as he thought he had a lump between his legs, well, he actually had two of them

He is now definately a gelding, but he obviously had retained the testicles until a late age and then one day poof there they were- so be on the look out and if your neighbors wonder what your up to just tell them to ask us and we'll vouch for ya that your not some perve LOL

I live on a 4 lane highway and I just know they think that about me when I'm checking the mares bags in the spring

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Well, I'll say it again.......if you are really serious about wanting to get inside his head ask Bonnie. $45 seems a small price to pay to help this frantic fellow. JMHO

 

[Crossbuck Farms]

I have a 1/2 hackney pony mare. She is so worried about running others off there grain she is a hardkeeper. If you separate her she would hurt herself. I tried putting her beside the buddies and she ran the fence. I tried 2 pastures away and ran two fences. The solution is I feed her in a stall but she still paces while eating her grain.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Sorry I haven't replied- the Forum would not let me on today so I had to find time to find a back door....takes more than a "Go away we're closed" to keep me out

Pm me if you need more help. Jane