rearing and difficult behaviour in horses may have multiple causes

rearing mare

causes and underlying issues

Rearing mare - pain revealed

  • lots of itching and scratching
  • local muscle twitching
  • revealing a real issue for the horse, over and above, contrary and difficult behaviour
  • secondary tension revealed

This 6 year old mare had been owned for 6 months and had soon began to walk backwards and rear when ridden. The trainer was able to ride her sometimes but only with very sensitive riding. She was clearly a very sweet natured horse and her behaviour seemed highly out of character. She also showed some temperamental behaviour when handled, ie ears back, nipping, etc.

The mare's response to Buqi was immediate. She started itching her self with her teeth from the outset - this was unusual behaviour according to the owners. She scratched her hindlegs at first, then forelegs, chest and body on both sides. Whilst I had began the session on her left side, on getting to her right side I had a very strong sensation of congestion, binqi and discomfort in an area behind the right shoulder (lattisimus dorsi). She responded violently when I 'went into' the area and started itching, trying to move away (at one point kicked out towards me), trying to move into me thus giving me no room, etc. She was clearly finding the sensation difficult and uncomfortable. The mare became quieter through the course of the session although it was apparent to the owners and myself that the mare did indeed have a physical problem. This finding alone was a relief to the owners' who recognised that the mare had a genuine issue and was not merely being unreasonable and for no reason.

The owners commented in her change of demeanour post Buqi session. The mare became more settled, relaxed and quiet generally. Subsequently the Vet found that the mare had both sidebone and navicular in the off fore foot

What I had located in the Buqi session was the secondary discomfort that had been caused by the pain in the foot by virtue of the mare accommodating all this and presumably posturing in such a way as to keep as much weight off the area as possible. The sensation ofbinqi was so clear; it being found behind the shoulder of the right leg. The amount of contraction, tension and therefore discomfort that this had engendered became obvious.

This mare was seen as part of the initial Buqi research group.