Bailey went MAD in the school!!

[CDR]

Bailey just arrived yesterday and he's not allowed contact with other horses for 48 hours while his wormer works through his system.

I can't ride him yet as I haven't got any tack until the saddler comes on Monday so I thought I would let him have a run round the school to burn off some energy. He's not used to being stabled and I thought he would appreciate it.

So I let him go in the school, and he walked around a little bit then stood and looked at me, then walked around a bit more. Then suddenly he went totally mad, threw an enormous great buck and galloped the length of the school towards the fence. I thought he was going to jump it but he stopped just in time!

When he tried to do it again I thought I'd better take him in before he injured himself but then I couldn't catch him for ages. He tried it about 6 times altogether with huge bucks all over the place too - and I mean legs pointing to the sky!! I didn't think he had it in him!! He's obviously going stir crazy in the stable the poor fella. Can't wait to let him out tomorrow night!

[vels mum]

Totally understandable, if he isnt used to being stabled and he is at a new yard he is bound to throw a wobbler if given enough room!

I wouldnt worry about it, and like you id be looking forward to turning him out.

[sazzy925]

Don't worry it's pretty normal, he's got a new routine, new yard, new mummy - he probably just needed to let loose a bit.
Once you start riding him, and settle him into his proper routine chances are he'll be a lot more chilled.

[CDR]

Yeah, he's generally one of the most calm, chilled horses I've ever known so I'm not really worried but I know he's got a bit of umph in him!! I was just concerned he might injure himself but I won't let him loose in the school again!

[ness]

I agree its understadable if it his first time turned out in the new place! He is just being a horse! You could try lunging him next time, if you want to give him some exercise?

[CDR]

I did think about lunging him but thought that wasn't much better than being cooped up! Plus I haven't got a lungeing whip - left it at the yard where I part-loaned so going to buy a new one.

[black crow]

Quite a few horses are like this when they go outside. Its just a way of letting lose a bit of energy.

You dont need a whip to lunge him.

[Spockky boy]

Ditto above, its normal. Spock of of the laziest ponies I know but he if hes been in 2-3 days hes goes NUTS! I just put him on the lunge before I ride hes usually knackered himself out once lunged lol I don't usually use a lunge whip either.

[CDR]

Oh ok, never done it without a lunge whip! The horse I part loaned before definitely needed it, even with it I could barely get him to canter - had to chase and shout and then I might get about 10 strides lol!

[CityLights]

Maybe stick some boots on him the first time you put him out just incase he does hurt himself

[ness]

Just shake the end of the rope at his backside!

[CDR]

Maybe stick some boots on him the first time you put him out just incase he does hurt himself

Good idea! Brushing boots? Would it be ok to leave them on overnight for the first night or would it be better to take them off? Haven't got any turnout boots.

[Teej]

You did the right thing turning him loose because if you had tried to lunge him, he would more than likely have charged around you at a hundred miles an hour!

Baby did exactly the same thing when she arrived at out yard. I turned her loose in the school and she charged around like a demon on a mission! Several times she threatened to jump the fence and I couldn't catch her for ages.

It must be so scary for them not knowing any of the people, surroundings or horses. Lots of attention from you will soon help him to settle :)

[Spockky boy]

Personally I would only stick boots on him if he was in the school. I don't use boots for turnout as I know too many horses that have got them caught/ripped them or lost them. I wouldn't leave them on over night either- Thats just me though

Maybe stick brushing boots on the fronts, turn him out wait 5 or so mins untill he calms down (if he does go mad) and the take them off?

[black crow]

If your worried about it then get someone to help you.

Chances are if he will do it again it may be better if he isnt on the lunge. Id personally not boot him as it is normal behaviour. However if you feel that he will go 'mad' again then it may be an option

[My Crazy Clan]

Its normal, its bound to happy being stabled and no turnout, when hes allowed out, put him straight out, he will have a hypo time but once its out his system he will be fine.

[CDR]

Thanks for all your assurances!!

Well he went out at 2pm today with brushing boots on his front legs. It's a 25 acre field so there are a lot of horses in it. He galloped over to one group but one of them tried to kick him so then he galloped to another group, they were fine except for a little shetland that tried to kick him but I reckon he must have had a laugh at that as it didn't scare him off and he stayed with them for quite a while.

The he went off galloping up and down the field - perhaps looking for the horses he used to share a field with? Then he went back to the second group.

I went back at 5:30 and he was fine, eating near one of the other horses. I took his boots off and checked his legs but he was totally fine.

[Teej]

That's great news CDR, he will soon make friends with them and just being part of a herd in a new place soon helps to settle them. I can't remember if you were leaving him out 24/7 to begin with?

[My Crazy Clan]

Really great news! any photos? sorry im am a photoholic!

[CDR]

Photos are on here: http://www.equine-world.co.uk/horse-forums/showthread.php?t=490

Was going to leave him out 24/7 but he had to stay in for 48 hours to start with for worming, took him a little while to settle so didn't want to disrupt things turning him out at night for a couple of weeks and then brining him back in, he might have got confused lol! Thought it best to get him into a routine as soon as possible to try and help him settle. There are horses in the stables next door so he won't get lonely.

[chescar]

I'm sure he was just letting off a bit of energy - he will settle in time.

[Spockky boy]

Aww sounds like hes settling in!