New fear

Question
Two years ago I got a 3 year old TB.  I trained him and took him to shows and trail rides.  He was always so calm and subdude.  About three months ago my mom's horse died and we had to move him b/c he was by himself. We went to a big show barn when we were at a small farm with just 2 horses.  He went there and he was a little nervous of course but he was settling in and I could lead and ride him, and also jump him.  A month ago he started acting dif.  He was hyper, he bucks and rears when i lead or ride him.  He has an attitude and spooks like crazy.  I consulted a friend and she said it might be the feed so we cutt his feed back.  I am told its just bc he is a TB, but he was never like this before.  Now I am scared when i used to never be scared of any horse,, I am only 16 by the way..  I know itll take a while for him to be his old self but is there anything diff i can do to help him get over it and help me not be afraid?

Answer
Hi Ashley,

It is not because of the feed, unless you've recently changed it and are feeding large quantities.  And while TB's tend to be more sensitive then a lot of other breeds, that doesn't mean this kind of behaviour is expected from them.

I suspect that the change in personality has to do with a new problem, and likely a physical one.  Go back through time to when you noticed his personality change and try and figure out what happened.

Did he slip, fall, get kicked, kick something, flip over?  
Did you change saddles or other tack?
Did the farrier do his feet?
Did you worm him?  Have his teeth done?

Unexpected behaviour changes are often pain related and my first suggestions for you is to have it looked at my a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist etc...  Make sure his saddle fits.  Make sure his teeth are okay.  Make sure his food isn't upsetting his stomach.  Explore every possibility that might have happened a month ago.

Don't forget to examine how you handled him those first few times he misbehaved.  Did you unknowingly reinforce the behaviour?

Lastly, get someone to help you.  Someone who's more experienced and has an eye for picking up things.  Someone who can teach you to identify when his behaviour is about to change and teach you how to curb it before he explodes.

So, have him checked over from head to foot to make sure he hasn't hurt himself, isn't in pain and that his tack all fits, teeth and stomach are okay.  If that all comes back okay, then you need a trainer to work with both of you at the same time.

Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt