Brandy: A Mystery Solved?

Brandy playing on her own

We might have solved the mystery of why Brandy can’t be ridden! The horses in this study (Dangerous Behavior and Intractable Axial Skeletal Pain in Performance Horses: A Possible Role for Ganglioneuritis) were "well-behaved and easy to handle around the barn, but became extremely dangerous under saddle". That describes Brandy’s behavior when she first came to us, and this condition (inflamed nerves in the spine) fits what her vet and chiropractor found when they examined her together. Not in pain and therefore not dangerous provided there is no weight or pressure on her back. A saddle alone, even without rider, appeared to cause shooting pains. Unlike the owners in the study, we never considered euthanasia. Instead, we gave her jobs that do not involve anything on her back. She has done Horse Agility (advanced and liberty), introduced many people to the importance of human body language in groundwork, enjoys and looks out for grandchildren, starred in my book, and graced its cover. We assume that Brandy’s condition was caused by an injury and is not progressive since she is moving better now at age 16 than when she arrived 10 years ago. I attribute her progress to excellent farrier and chiropractic care, an outdoor lifestyle, careful training, and exercises prescribed by her chiropractor, my instructor and Jec Aristotle Ballou (author of 55 Corrective Exercises). Brandy’s self-appointed job is peacemaker in our small herd, and Protector of everyone she cares about, horse and human. Meanwhile, we are her Protectors. Our family members responsible for any animals who outlive us understand she must never be ridden. The story of Brandy's transformation from dangerous pony to reliable family member is included in my book What Horses Really Want as I explain how to be a Protector Leader, earning your horse's trust, and promoting positive changes in his behavior.

The "dangerous" pony with my youngest granddaughter

Reference:
Dangerous Behavior and Intractable Axial Skeletal Pain in Performance Horses: A Possible Role for Ganglioneuritis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34957274/