Black Jack Gets a Bath

I still think a vet has not identified the real issue to be honest! My heart is with you both.

I bought a 3 year old Fjord and a year later she got very sick and died. Turns out she had cancer. That was very hard to go through. A journey with horses has highs and lows. It can be very stressful but what they give you back is well worth it. I didnt think I'd get another horse after my Fjord died but then I saw an ad for my current horse and instantly fell in love. Bought her sight unseen and shes been the absolute best. I've had her for 5 years. I also just bought a Shire just off the ad and he is one of the best temperments I've ever come across. Highs and lows with horses 🙂

I absolutely love watching your journey with Black Jack! I love getting to see the wonderful bond between you and your boy. Lameness issues can be a tricky fix! Stretching a horse's legs to loosen up their muscles can really help with soreness from standing in a stall or pasture and may help him be a bit more comfortable! It likely won't solve his lameness, but it may be very enjoyable for Black Jack! Horses can also carry a lot of tension in their face and letting them push their upper jaw against your hand to help release that tension can work wonders! Plus, it'll help give you a fun little activity to do that would be really enjoyable for both you and your horse! 🥰

Black Jack is one lucky horse to have you looking out for him!

You are the best thing that could have happened to that old guy. Even healthy young horses can have lots of issues. Fine in the am, not fine pm. Give him time! A year from now, you'll see how much you've learned about YOURSELF❤

Blackjack looks so upset walking into the wash stall but then was so happy during the bath!

Horses have very sensitive skin. They can feel a fly on their back. Summer coats are short and fine; only require a soft brush. Rubber curries are fine for winter coats and dried mud, but not for summer dust. Check what you using on his summer coat and how hard you are brushing.

Isn’t he just a gorgeous horse !! And she is to be applauded for the EXCELLENT care he is receiving from her !! And I totally and 100% agree that you have a fraud case !! That guy knew that BJ would be hard to sell and dishonestly sold him and dumped all the responsibility on someone who was very new to the equestrian world. That’s just down right shitty !! So I really hope she gets an attorney to get some money back and if he did that once he will do it again to someone else !! Let’s stop this nonsense!!!

Horses with tummy issues won’t like being groomed or sometimes if they are also in pain. Or if say at the yard that morning a bunch of farriers came and did loud stuff or commotions happened with trucks dumping stuff etc that can make them kinda funny for a day. Mike got super upset the other day so much so the vet texted me. Freaked me out. He was fine he just didn’t want to be in the stall that day due to all the commotion happening he wanted to be outside. So when I came I didn’t ride him I let him be and watched him and fed him some cookies making sure he was fine and he was. I rode him the next day he was wonderful. I could have ridden him I just didn’t want to incase something was wrong but by the next day it was clear he was fine.

Thank you so much for posting about your journey with Black Jack! I saw from another comment that you watch Steve Young. That reminded me that he told an owner that her horse would not even think of biting her if he considered her to be his leader. So maybe you could try some of Steve's groundwork exercises that will encourage Black Jack to understand your role in his life (you know the ones--disengaging, backing up, leading-to-driving, respecting your bubble, etc.) Probably Black Jack knows all these things and just needs to be reminded. Even if you can never ride him, Black Jack should probably be able to do groundwork. And you already know Steve's advice regarding hand feeding. I'm sure it's hard to put yourself "out there" and i really respect your openness to suggestions. I think you are a very thoughtful and caring owner. Best wishes for continued progress.

With my horse he did not like the plastic curry for regular grooming. He liked the rubber curry for his regular grooming sessions. He does like the plastic one after working cause it gets the itchy spots. You can also see if he has ulcers. Sometimes ulcers show different with horses. You can also try adding a probiotic to his feed. Probiotics are the good bugs ( as I call them lol ) that help with digestion in the hindgut. I agree with commenter that you might have been frauded, so looking into that further is a good idea. I am surprised that the vet doing your PPE didn't say no to buying him. BJ is lucky to be with you!! Lord only knows where he would be at his age!! Keep following your gut!! Keep watching BJ, he will give you signs & if you don't catch the small signs he will give you bigger ones ( dummy signs I call them lol ) Horses are highs & lows, happiness & tears!! You are doing great!!

Subscribing to find out how the saga unfolds. You certainly have been getting an education in equine issues.

Hi from the UK. I am loving watching your journey with Mr Jack. He is such a lucky boy to have found you. I hope you can heal him. I watch a fantastic channel by a UK trainer called Steve Young. His horsemanship methods are very gentle. You will learn a lot from him. Good luck and I am looking forward to seeing more video's about this beautiful boy❤😊

Just to show you are not alone, in the first year with my cousin’s new horse, he choked on foxtails (vet trip), had 12 “beans” in his urethra (vet trip), needed a equine dentist as the points were cutting his cheeks (vet trip), needed a chiropractor as his jaw and withers were out of alignment (vet trip), hit his shoulder on something (2 weeks off), slipped in the mud and torqued his rear fetlock (2 weeks off), and last but not least, although he seemed well trained, she found out from the breeder he only had 60 days training that did not include trailer loading. But, he has a great mind, so will be perfect one day, just like Black Jack.

Just subbed to support you and Black jack. and love following your progress. Such a shame because you deserve some rewards from your patience. most [people would have given up! Hopefully with time he will appreciate the care and money you are putting into making him happy again.

Okay, this falls in the category of none of my business. As an experienced horse owner, I think you should ask for your money back from the seller, as you were cheated. You bought an animal in good faith, expecting a healthy, if not young horse. I would have a attorney send him a letter. Your expenses to rehabilitate BJ are, and will be, considerable. He may never be rideable. I applaud your herculean efforts to heal and love him. Just know he may not be what you wanted. If you got your money back, perhaps you could then purchase a suitable, healthy riding horse who could be a companion to BJ and a joy to you.

What a great job you are doing as a novice horse owner. He looks to have a calm grounded demeanor, what a lucky boy he is to have found you. He would like a better fitting halter....the one you have is way too low on his sensitive nose. For safety's sake, are those cross ties clipped into something solid or baling twine (safe) in case of a horse pulling back or rearing? Not wanting to be groomed is telling you something. Ulcers, PSSM (easy hair test and well worth knowing). Or as simple as too firm a brush. But, well done, you!

Put yourself in BJ's place re the grooming. 100 degree heat, curry brush being used firmly, that produces friction which in turn produces heat....... would you want to be groomed? 😉 Putting yourself in your horse's place is a good way of figuring out stuff. 😊 As someone has said, fine summer coat only needs a lighter brush. You could see BJ enjoyed his bath 😊 Is he out with other horses at night? Could be herd dynamics going on. Lots of chasing and running around as he finds his place in the pecking order.

He is such a nice boy....you asked about he doesnt want to be brushed. Some brushes produce a little static electric shocks, just a little but enough to feel. Maybe you have one.

I mentioned last week I had a horse with a few issues, I’ve owned him 3 months yesterday. My fellow was acting the same to grooming and I stopped using the curry comb and he’s enthusiastic about grooming again. Some horses are more sensitive than others I guess. Also I had an issue around his poll and upper neck area being sensitive and him being a bit nippy. X-ray confirmed arthritis and now with ongoing medication his favourite thing is having his poll scratched. His whole demeanour has changed for the better. He’s very willing when riding and obviously much more comfortable. Just waiting for the equine dentist to come to my town soon for his problem tooth to be removed.