--- In [email protected], "Karen Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Especially since his problems are recurring, I'd get him to the vet.
-------------------That's what I'm thinking too. It's just so weird to not be able to figure out what's going on. Every few hours I doubt myself and think that maybe it's in my head. But then I think about his reactions to having a rider and reactions to rubbing that spot and KNOW that he was clearly telling us that place hurt. > If you continue riding a horse in pain, you endanger your relationship and that will take a lot of time to undo. -----------------I so agree. I will absolutely NOT ride him, nor let others ride him if he's telling me he hurts. It just doesn't make sense to put a rider in danger nor is it fair to him. It's just so frustrating to be at a standstill again in his training. We've been working with him for about 6 months now and still haven't gotten to the point of him going under saddle (except for ponying). I'm certainly NOT going to advance if we can't, but it's disheartening for me. > Almost invariably pain causes behavior problems that eventually have to be addressed. You don't want to go there if you don't have to. -------------------We've already had to Karen. The previous trainer didn't recognize that he was in pain and tried to "ride him through it". This created a bolting horse. He had started bolting when he was ridden and then I came into the picture to help "fix" him. GRRRRRR. I'm not going to perpetuate the problem by "riding him through it", but instead am trying to figure out just why he's having back issues. We have won one important battle - figuring out WHY he was bolting. I just can't figure out what is causing the back pain. Dawn B.S. - northern Michigan
