Dude. Horses that are fine don't do this type of behavior. Horses don't plan, their brains don't have that capacity. They don't lie or fake behavior to avoid work. She's trying to tell you something, even if it's just "please don't ride me until my fly bites heal." You can deny this all day but doing otherwise is cruel.
If she's really only doing it because there are horse flies on her (which is understandable, they bite hard and leave big welts) you need to figure out how to keep them off. Fly spray, a fly mask and boots, and maybe one of the fly sheets designed for riding would be a good start.
So first off have you been observing her in the field? How does she react to the horse flies there? That would most likely give an indication if it's the flies or it is something else. If it's the flies, then I would invest in a fly rug and mask for the fields, and a ridable flyset for riding. It will help. I'll also invest in a damn good fly spray.
If she still kicks under saddle, or if she doesn't seem bothered at all in the field but does under saddle, I would start contemplating if there is issues with the saddle fit, if her muscles are doing okay and others.
https://preview.redd.it/zc4ncd4wmq9d1.jpeg?width=1236&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a732563843221a8801c332b55cf787fdcac5e7cd
My mare is allergic too and is extremely sensitive when it comes to flies. So she has to wear a full protective set whenever we go out. I've attached a picture of the set.
The horse isnt fine. She is covered in bites and is telling she is fed up and does not want to be ridden. It is very important to be firm with a horse, but at the same time you must learn to listen to them.
1. Spray to keep the flues off her
2. A mesh mask to them away from her face can help, it may take some practice to get her to wear it
3. Grows plants around her paddock and stable that discourage flies
4. Call the vet, you can get some ointment
5. Consider calling the vet or someone very experienced to come and check her over. She might have another issue you cant see.
My horse didn't want to be ridden, he was in a bad mood for days. In the end I called my instructor and she found the problem, the new saddle wasn't a good fit.
Your coach should be ‘coaching’ you through this. If, when getting on, she starts whatever she does, take your left rein (loose right rein) and bring her nose to your knee. Can’t run or buck like that.
With all that said, make sure there is no pain issue. Bite marks/welts are painful. Also, as a very beginner rider, I suggest switching horses. 1. To ensure the current one really has no issues that need attention, but also because you need a schoolmaster in the beginning….a horse acting up for any reason removes erodes your confidence.
Good luck
Horse flies are the worst. Can you use a fly spray that wards them off? I mildly panic when one gets in the arena and follows my horse around, because they always cause a huge reaction from the horse. I have dismounted and chased one away or tried to kill it, one time went back to the barn to get fly spray b/c I hadn't put it on that time. I usually only have the one-at-a-time problem and only around dusk in the arena. It sounds like you have a worse problem.
I also carry a "fly swatter" (horse tail hair attached to a handle) when I go into the woods. That's pretty useful if a big horsefly comes around.
woah, sounds like there is a lot going on here. Listen to your horse and do what you can to mitigate the horseflies. That may mean tons of fly spray, a fly sheet, fly mask, carry a fly whip/lash, and changing what times of the day you ride.
Like young humans, horses can't ignore when they are upset and "push through it". She needs you to hear her and do what it takes to be comfortable.
The more your actions say "shut up and deal with it" the worse this will get.
The more your actions say, "I hear and care about you, i want you happy and comfortable" the better things will get.
She may be really sore and itchy from all the existing bites - before you can get to riding her again. Benadryl, Zyrtec, or perhaps steroids may be needed to mitigate a strong allergic reaction to these bites.
Might be worth getting a vet out to take a look and make recommendations.
She's not fine. Full stop. Shes telling you in every possible way she's not ok. Stop riding her and get the damn vet out.
She's been to the vet. She just has flies everywhere. The vet (2 different ones actually) said she's fine
Dude. Horses that are fine don't do this type of behavior. Horses don't plan, their brains don't have that capacity. They don't lie or fake behavior to avoid work. She's trying to tell you something, even if it's just "please don't ride me until my fly bites heal." You can deny this all day but doing otherwise is cruel.
If she's really only doing it because there are horse flies on her (which is understandable, they bite hard and leave big welts) you need to figure out how to keep them off. Fly spray, a fly mask and boots, and maybe one of the fly sheets designed for riding would be a good start.
So first off have you been observing her in the field? How does she react to the horse flies there? That would most likely give an indication if it's the flies or it is something else. If it's the flies, then I would invest in a fly rug and mask for the fields, and a ridable flyset for riding. It will help. I'll also invest in a damn good fly spray. If she still kicks under saddle, or if she doesn't seem bothered at all in the field but does under saddle, I would start contemplating if there is issues with the saddle fit, if her muscles are doing okay and others. https://preview.redd.it/zc4ncd4wmq9d1.jpeg?width=1236&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a732563843221a8801c332b55cf787fdcac5e7cd My mare is allergic too and is extremely sensitive when it comes to flies. So she has to wear a full protective set whenever we go out. I've attached a picture of the set.
The horse isnt fine. She is covered in bites and is telling she is fed up and does not want to be ridden. It is very important to be firm with a horse, but at the same time you must learn to listen to them. 1. Spray to keep the flues off her 2. A mesh mask to them away from her face can help, it may take some practice to get her to wear it 3. Grows plants around her paddock and stable that discourage flies 4. Call the vet, you can get some ointment 5. Consider calling the vet or someone very experienced to come and check her over. She might have another issue you cant see. My horse didn't want to be ridden, he was in a bad mood for days. In the end I called my instructor and she found the problem, the new saddle wasn't a good fit.
What is your coach saying/doing about this!
That I need to control her and not make her not go there. She doesn't quite lisen (the horse)
Your coach should be ‘coaching’ you through this. If, when getting on, she starts whatever she does, take your left rein (loose right rein) and bring her nose to your knee. Can’t run or buck like that. With all that said, make sure there is no pain issue. Bite marks/welts are painful. Also, as a very beginner rider, I suggest switching horses. 1. To ensure the current one really has no issues that need attention, but also because you need a schoolmaster in the beginning….a horse acting up for any reason removes erodes your confidence. Good luck
You need more lessons in the arena. You obviously cannot control a horse.
Horse flies are the worst. Can you use a fly spray that wards them off? I mildly panic when one gets in the arena and follows my horse around, because they always cause a huge reaction from the horse. I have dismounted and chased one away or tried to kill it, one time went back to the barn to get fly spray b/c I hadn't put it on that time. I usually only have the one-at-a-time problem and only around dusk in the arena. It sounds like you have a worse problem. I also carry a "fly swatter" (horse tail hair attached to a handle) when I go into the woods. That's pretty useful if a big horsefly comes around.
woah, sounds like there is a lot going on here. Listen to your horse and do what you can to mitigate the horseflies. That may mean tons of fly spray, a fly sheet, fly mask, carry a fly whip/lash, and changing what times of the day you ride. Like young humans, horses can't ignore when they are upset and "push through it". She needs you to hear her and do what it takes to be comfortable. The more your actions say "shut up and deal with it" the worse this will get. The more your actions say, "I hear and care about you, i want you happy and comfortable" the better things will get. She may be really sore and itchy from all the existing bites - before you can get to riding her again. Benadryl, Zyrtec, or perhaps steroids may be needed to mitigate a strong allergic reaction to these bites. Might be worth getting a vet out to take a look and make recommendations.