Naughty or Pain

A common theme I've seen with my 3 horses is that they really don't like conflict and try avoid it as much as possible. Conflict in the wild gets you eaten!

It does come in different degrees;

Allie my "momma" of the herd, avoids conflict at all costs.  She will do whatever you ask her, regardless of the cost to her comfort or desires. She will walk or turn away from any challenge from another horse with an indifferent "you are not worth my time".

Bella my "princess".  She will challenge just a little to make sure you or another herd member is serious.  Unlike Allie, it is worth her time to make sure that you mean what you say.  In the end, if you  mean it, she accepts it

Chance my "challenger".  He will make sure there is something in it for him and make you prove you are serious.

They all have their pros and cons.

Allie I really have to watch that she is not in pain or uncomfortable.  I also have to be diligent that she doesn't get pushed around.  Avoiding conflict at all costs can be a negative, all though the pros are a very calm, easy going, easy to be with horse.  She is like a flower child :)

Bella I have to push a little harder to see if its attitude or pain.  Unlike Allie where I know I have a serious problem if she doesn't want to do it, Bella just might be asking "are you serious?  because you know I'd much rather just sit here and look pretty".  She also can throw the nastiest looks at other horses, but I bet if one just threw the look back her way, she'd huff and move on.

Chance, I love him.  When I walk into the barn, he nickers and gives me this look that clearly says "state your business so I can determine if you are worth my time."  He is honest as honest can be.  There is no guessing, are you in pain?  Do you not like that?  Do you like this?   You get immediate, honest feedback from him.  With him, I have to be firm and serious,  but I know that the response he gives me is clear.  There is no guessing if he is in pain or if he's challenging me.

Recently, my princess, Bella, started tossing her head when asked to trot tracking right.  It progressed to raising her head, trotting fast, ear pinning, canter, trot, hop, canter.  At first, it was thought she was being piggy, bitchy.  "I don't want to trot, I am not going trot, DON'T MAKE ME TROT!"  So we responded with, oh yes you will trot, move forward!  When it got worse and she displayed the same behavior with my trainer, which she knows there is no escape, you will do what she says, we started to look for pain.  Saddle was adjusted twice, feet done, massage, chiro, still same behavior.  I brought in a thermal imaging specialist.  Unexpected heat in the heels on all four feet, with very high heat in front and bulbs of feet.  More on the right than left, this makes sense since tracking right resulted in more fussiness than left.

What we didn't know yet was what was causing the higher heat.  It could have been an abscess,  navicular, wrong angles, sole thinness, the list goes on and on.

Next step, x-rays

And viola, her P3  angle is too flat.  Instead of being flat to border line angled down, that last bone in her leg (P3 or coffin bone) should angle slightly down,  3-8 degrees.  The effect of her current status is equivalent to us humans walking around on our heels, ALL THE TIME, OW!

From an article on Low Palmar or Plantar angles ....

The horse compensates for this chronic discomfort by adjusting overall body posture to take pressure off the extended joints of the limbs.  The horse may appear to be overly straight in the hind legs despite good conformation, and may have stifle or hock problems.  Some horses become tightly braced through their shoulders, back or loins, showing an uneven spinal profile over the lumbar and croup region with virtually no pelvic flexion in any direction.   Other horses adopt a camped-out stance, or may stand in a saw-horse posture even when the feet themselves are not uncomfortable or laminitic.   A short step length and toe-first landing with the front feet can be a sign of a low palmar angle in one or both forefeet.   In the hind feet low plantar angle may manifest as a short step length with the toes being stabbed into the ground, especially noticeable at trot.

The stay apparatus of both the front and hind limbs, which enables a horse to rest or sleep whilst standing with no muscular effort, depends on an even balance between the extensor and flexor systems of each limb.   That even balance is disrupted when any or all of the four coffin bones are not sited properly within the hoof; the horse then needs to put some energy into the muscular effort required to maintain his balance and posture.   Consequently, the horse may appear to tire easily, showing low energy or stamina despite adequate nutrition and conditioning.

The moral of this story is that Bella's behavior could have been interpreted as naughty, avoiding work, disrespect.  If ignored, it could have easily escalated into dangerous behavior; rearing, bucking, shooting across the arena and eventually flipping over with rider on.  OR her shutting down totally and continuing to work all though in extreme pain and eventually the breakdown of her limbs. Thankfully, her issue is an easy fix and because we caught it early, permanent damage should be minimal if any.

Before resorting to tie downs, martingales, harsher bits, punishment, I beg you to rule out any possibility of pain both physical and mental.  Remember, horses really don't like to argue with you.  They prefer a quiet, harmonious energy.  When they resort to behavior that does not support that, there is something going on.  Be especially aware of this if you have an "Allie", be sure to ask your question clearly and firm if you have a "Bella", listen to your horse if you have a "Chance".  Horses don't lie, it's one of the many qualities I love about them.

Happy Riding!