Which type is this horse?

[pporter]

I took a client's horse in training, and I am unsure of what type of horse he is. What I AM sure about, is that I'm going to need to know in order to train him properly.

He is a 4 yr old Arab/Dutch WB cross. I don't know enough about him to answer the test questions, but here is what I have observed: He will run an unknown person out of his stall or paddock by bolting toward them with neck snaked, ears pinned, and teeth bared. Once he knows you, he is a very friendly and pushy in-your-face type. Attempts to keep your space may result in a bite or a strike from this horse. Once he really respects you, he will give you space. He paces CONSTANTLY, no matter where you put him. He will pace a fence for 8 hours straight even in a field of beautiful lush grass and a buddy grazing next to him.

He is incredibly insecure and emotional. He can be intimidated easily by a person that has a strong and quiet energy. He fought the ground work by balking and angry outbursts - but now is going quite well. But under saddle will balk and refuse to move forward. He will bite the rider's foot, hump his back and can be explosive at times. He has just been started under saddle (5 rides), so I know that it is not bad past training experiences.

This horse is being trained as a dressage horse for an advanced beginner level rider with fear issues. I'm afraid that this is not the right scenario for this horse or rider!

This horse had a soundness and chiropractic exam prior to starting training. He is on probiotics for gut health.

Can you help? I was thinking the horse was a Wood type, but he is so insecure and emotionally fragile - maybe a Fire/Wood type? And how should his training be handled?

Patti

[mward]

Patti,
What you describe could certainly fit a Fire/Wood or straight Wood. It could also fit a horse in major pain. The Fire and Wood types are the most likely to respond to pain with biting or kicking. The pacing certainly suggests a horse that is not balanced in his emotions.
Do you know the vaccination and drug history of this horse? I am wondering about the health of his liver. The first thing I would do is give him a 21 day course of Digestive Product milk thistle . If he is still aggressive I would follow this with a 21 day course of dandelion root tincture. I usually double the human dose. In case he has had major vaccines or medications I would give 1 dose of Thuja 1 m followed in 1 week by a dose of Nux 1m.
I would add Digestive Product UF to his probiotics to treat a likely ulcer.
After these steps to clear his liver, then I would re evaluate his personality.
Training may be difficult while he is in this state. I would stick to ground exercises and work outside the arena to get him moving forward. If he is a Fire/Wood then dressage may not be a good job for him unless the ring work can be balanced with lots of trail riding or other more vigorous activities. Madalyn

[pporter]

This horse has not been heavily vaccinated, and is not in a barn with a fly spray system.

He does have a clubbed foot on the left front that is pretty severe. I have been wanting to ask the owner to x-ray it.

The horse has been this temperament as long as I've known him - which has been about 2 years. His owner claims that he has been this way since birth.

I forgot to mention that he is very insecure in open areas, much preferring the comfort of an arena and a stall. I know you suggested riding him "out", but at this point "out" terrifies him.

Patti

[mward]

Patti,
The emotional nature certainly suggests Fire and the angry outbursts suggest Wood so I am staying with the Shao Yang but in addition to the digestive support program I would check his atlas. The fear could be coming from a blockage there. I find many young horses injure themselves and have personality issues until the atlas is adjusted. Keep us posted. Madalyn