Control issue Fox Trotter

Question
We are in a 30 day trial period with an 11 year old Gelded Missouri Fox Trotter. For the last few months he had been trained for endurance. He is new to the barn he is now at. There are three issues that have become apparent.  During his per-purchase vet exam we noticed he did not seem to want to turn well while trotting.  He continued to trot but in an angular/sidewise motion. Later on he seemed to get a bit better. At the time they were using a D-Ring Snaffle.

Today, my daughter was riding him in a 100 x 300 foot arena and as he walked to the back coyotes began to howl in near the back pasture.  He turned his head to listen.  He would walk and later trot in a side-stepping fashion as if he was very anxious.  As he came to the other side of the arena he was fine.  When he returned to the side of the arena where he heard the sounds he again duplicated the side-stepping motion.  It was as if he was nervous.  He did not buck or throw his head up.  He merely moved in a side-stepping motion with his head turned to where the sound was coming from.  Is this an issue or to  be expected since he is new to his surroundings and may have never heard a coyote before. The other horses in the arena did not seem to react.

Lastly, should we switch to a Mullen mouth snaffle bit.  We have read that may be a better choice for some Fox Trotters.

Thank you!!!

John Raba

Answer
John,

While you indicated he's in a trial period you didn't say how long he's actually been where you have him now. For at least the first week he's going to be a little uncomfortable with all new surroundings and horses.  If he was training for endurance he knows how to go down the trail.  

The first issue you bring up is during the pre-purchase exam.  From what you describe it's a horse with either some muscle or alignment issues, possibly both.  Unless the vet knew anything about chiropractic work he wouldn't have picked up on that.  The fact that he warms up to some extent makes me think muscle issues are definitely involved.  I think this can be resolved with some bodywork.  I "fix" a lot of  horses with these sort of problems.  If you have a tight neck you can't turn your head. A muscle cramp elsewhere limits what you can do depending upon where it is. Same thing with a horse.  If you really want to see him at his best get a professional equine massage therapist to work on him.  He may also need some chiropractic work.  He's an athlete, or at least in training for one in endurance, an these issues are not uncommon.  And relatively easily resolved.    

I don't know what your future plans are for him, but get him right before you pass judgement on him.  

As to the behavior in the ring when he heard something strange, he'll get over it as he gets accustomed to his new surroundings.  He'll pick up from the other horses that it's no big deal.  

I would check with the previous owner and find out what kind of bit they were using on him. If he went well in it then I would use that. I personally prefer to ride with either a bitless bridle or a hackamore so that my horses are free to eat and drink on the trail.  But I'm an endurance rider.  If using a bit I find the mildest bit I can that gives me the control I need and that the horse likes.  If I'm using a snaffle I look for one with a French mouth or 3-part bit so that the bit is not digging into the roof of the horse's mouth.  

I hope I've answered your questions.  He sounds like a nice horse.  

Lyn