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Your horse is normally good tempered but you have noticed he is getting grumpy when you place his saddle on his back. His mood gets darker when you mount him. This is a new reaction from him and you find him resisting instructions that have previously been done without hesitation.
HE MAY BE SORE
Just think how grumpy you get when you have a sore shoulder or have woken up with a crick in your neck. Often your horse is not saying he won’t, he is trying to tell you he can’t.
Take the time to feel your horse. Run your hands along his back following the direction of his coat with varying pressure. Feel for soft bruised spots or tense tight spots. Observe your horse’s reaction. He will soon tell you if he is sore. He may flick his ears back or swish his tail to brush you away.
Simple massage techniques can ease away this discomfort. You may need a therapist to guide you and point out where your horse’s weaknesses are, and then you can maintain his care with a few massage techniques included in your horse’s grooming regime.
Don’t neglect these changes in your horse’s behaviour, the longer a muscle has been in spasm, the more time it takes to correct.
Catherine Bird
Grumpy Horses
Men are better when riding, more just and more understanding, and more alert and more at ease and more under-taking, and better knowing of all countries and all passages; in short and long all good customs and manners cometh thereof, and the health of man and of his soul.
~Attributed to Edward Plantagenet
Draught Horses are the world's strongest animals apart from elephants.
