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

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! 🥰

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❤

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!!

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 🙂

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!!

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

In my humble opinion I think it is a very good idea to see him in the pasture with other horses to see what his behavior is. Maybe use a softer brush. Or not apply so much pressure. Does he swish his tail or pin his ears back while you are brushing any particular part of his body?

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 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.

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!

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.

Honor his body language and give him space if he’s asking for it. This is how he will learn that he can trust you. Sometimes they just don’t want to be fussed over 🤷🏼‍♀️

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.

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.

Maybe he’s in some kind of pain I would ask the vet but he definitely has to feel better after that bath it’s sad to think about what he’s been through when he was younger and how he hurt his foot

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.

So I think you're dealing with a couple of factors. One, is that the place is new, you are new, it takes a good while for horses to kind of settle and get used to you and your routine. Much like a kid in foster care. A horses life. If he has a little jump or a spook or something, try not to react to that. Sometimes horses can appear to love grooming, because they got out of work. Now he's out of work he might not love grooming.😅 ? But he might also see you back up when he seemingly objects to something and so he knows how to get you to stop? Horses can read body language and if you feel nervous he's going to feel that too.

How long in total how you have him?

Has he been tested for EPM Lymes and or PSSM? My heart goes out to you both sending prayers

Have you had him tested for Lyme disease?

Is hij geslagen ?

Would you PLEASE take this horse to TX A&M and get a definitive opinion! And the man in this link knows what he's talking about: Min. 13:35 - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mteYiMiHysuXnIE.htmlsi=vzMMr7u7Gunww6dp

Can you do a video on expenses to date?

I think you need to get advice from an attorney This beautiful horse seems to have issues before you fell in love with him and wanted to make your dream of loving , owning a horse that You Could Ride …. The seller should make this Right For You You would think he would want to have a good reputation and make This Right For You!!! I’m so sad for You You have had a lot of out of pocket expensive costs I’m sorry Feel the seller is far from being Honest He should be concerned for you and the welfare of Black Jack Please get some advice and legal help 😦🤦‍♀️

Hi you said Black Jack isn’t himself. If you have him on meds Previcox or Equioxx you might check for ulcers. Often ulcers will make them grumpy to down right grouchy.

Reasons for not liking to be groomed: Pain New Environment causing stress Change in routine Anxiety He's been through a lot. Maybe his issues are making him unhappy.

There is a lot of dishonesty in the horse world

I am really sorry for you that you achieved your dream of owning a horse and he turned out to be lame. The seller should be sued for not being honest with you about his condition. Good luck.

Horse is not black. Brown.