Missy Wryn & PacoHe Just Wouldn’t Perform

By Missy Wryn

The gelding was a new purchase by a lovely kind hearted woman that wanted a nice trail horse for her family.  He was a big chestnut Quarter horse about five years old who had extensive training in reining and cutting.  The new owner wanted a natural horsemanship foundation established before she took him home, so he arrived at my barn for a three month program to include trail training. 

When a new horse arrives at my barn I always perform a thorough examination for injuries and watch closely for any mysterious swellings or soreness that may arise in the first twenty-four hours as a result of transportation. While examining the chestnut boy I noticed a small hole under his chin in the middle of his left jawbone that appeared to be a draining abscess.  I pointed out the abscess to the new owner and she advised that her veterinarian had examined it the week prior, He assured her that it was simply a puncture wound and it would heal.  I felt around the area and mentioned that it appeared to be in the jaw bone since there was no mass or soft squishy tissue to pinch or squeeze.  I advised the owner that I would care for the wound, but expressed my concern that this did not seem to be a mere puncture wound. 

I began the gelding’s training over the next couple days assessing what he knew by applying the Three Foundations and Five Fundamentals of my Training the Whole Horse® program.  He seemed very well trained and easy to teach, but overall listless and quick to agitate with pinny ears and a swishy tail.  I also noted he was very mouthy and did not improve with correction.  He was constantly nibbling and nipping at me when grooming, working with his feet, bonding and flexing – basically whenever I was in close proximity.  The boy was also moody and not making a bonding connection with an attitude of “performing only because I have to” instead of willingly participating with me.  I was a bit stumped searching for techniques that would invoke his willingness for a relationship, but he maintained a ho-hum duplicitous attitude.  He certainly was not an unkind horse in any way, just something wasn’t right and he was seemingly unhappy…..

A couple weeks went by as I continued to work with him, clean his wound and apply antibiotics daily, but neither his attitude nor wound was improving.  And in fact the hole in his jaw was starting to widen and more pus matter draining regardless of my efforts.  I felt around the wound and knew this wasn’t a simple puncture wound or abscess it had to be a bone infection.  Now, I needed to convince the gelding’s owner to allow my vet, who I trust implicitly, to examine him even though she had her vet out weeks before.   I prepared by calling my vet first and had the opportunity to chat with him personally.  He agreed that it sounded like an infection in the bone, but felt it was a bad tooth, not a puncture wound and suggested an x-ray.  I hadn’t thought about a bad tooth.  It took my breath away to imagine how long this horse must have been in pain to now have an infection coming out through the jaw bone under the chin.  My heart sank with the thought. 

With this information I made the phone call to the owner.  She was more then happy to have my vet check and was deeply concerned about her horse being in pain.  My vet visited that afternoon and confirmed that a lower molar tooth was completely infected beyond repair and the tooth next to it badly infected, but possibly salvageable.  Based on the level of deterioration and the infection in the jaw bone my vet said that the tooth had probably been infected for at least two years…… 

I was flooded with emotions of pity, guilt and compassion for this horse.  It all made sense now.  His behavior, his aloofness, his agitation, his mouthiness; he was just trying to tell me “I hurt”.   I wrapped my arms around the horse’s neck and tears welled up as I asked his forgiveness for not recognizing his pain sooner.  What a tolerant and forgiving boy.  This horse chose to tolerate people and our continued requests for performance while he stuffed his pain and put up with us.  The previous owner sold him because “he just wouldn’t perform” to optimum level as a reining and cutting horse.  No wonder!  How well would you perform if you had a toothache for two years? 

It was a privilege to take care of him during his recovery which bonded us deeply.  He was a completely different horse with a sparkle in his eye and a desire to please.  And wow was he a wonderful ride.  We were on the trails in no time running freely through the woods and swimming in the creek.  It is horses like him who have inspired my Training the Whole Horse® program.  And I’m deeply grateful.  As I always say Problems are not always training issues.

Professional trainer Missy Wryn developed Training the Whole Horse® on the foundation of Do No Harm creating SAFER trusting relationships with horses.  Missy Wryn is the founder of Training the Whole Horse^®, IRON FREE Riding, HorseMAREship, Sisters of the Saddle, DO NO HARM Today and Nature’s Balance Care™ plus inventor of the ALL-IN-ONE Rope Halter Bitless Bridle.  Check Missy’s schedule for appearances and lectures in your area at www.MissyWryn.com or call 503-630-3744.