Advice needed please on very stroppy mare

[MyBoyChe]

Morning, new member signing on for the 1st time and really hoping you can help. I have recently bought a horse, beautiful 9yr old mare, after being horseless for the last 6 years!! She was advertised as kind and easy to do, but she isn't. She is definitely the boss in this relationship, so far. The person I bought her from has, in fairness, agreed to exchange her when she finds something more suitable, but that may take a while and I have said I will keep her until such time. She is kept at DIY livery on 24 hr turnout so I don't have to do too much if I'm feeling threatened, it's a very small yard, so help is limited. What I need to know, is how do I assert my authority,safely, show I'm in charge, without bullying her and turning her into a nervous wreck. The main issues are on the ground, she tries to bite whilst being led and if she doesn't want to co operate she will rear and kick out whilst running away from me. Once loose, she will run at me with ears pinned. I'm sure it's a respect thing, she has none! and with the new environment, settling in, plus lush grass and her hormones it's a bit of a war zone at the moment. Although I may not be keeping her, I think I should be working with her from the ground for her own sake. She's not too bad when ridden, but has a few issues with traffic and not wanting to go forward, maybe it's all connected?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure it's a respect thing

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like an absolute bitch of a horse.

Send it back. If you bought it from a dealer (which you did by the sounds of it) and it is not as described, you have every right to do so.

Someone will get hurt - and chances are it will be you....

 

[maggiehorse]

this behaviour can be managed but its not your problem , send her back immediatly , don,t wait , as in law this constitutes acceptance of her problems if it ever goes to court

 

[ajn1610]

Why should you pay livery/ put time into a horse that isn't what you wanted to buy? I agree you should send it back. Get a refund, if this person has sold you one unsuitable horse why would the next one be any better?

 

[dwi]

If you can send her back I would but if you do decide to keep her I would get a behavioural specialist out asap to work with you and her. In my opinion its no different from having a riding lesson and none of us are ashamed to do that but people assume that you shouldn't need training to handle a horse.

I've been in a similar situation only we couldn't send Daisy back because it was a private sale. Through time and lots of training she is now sweet and lovely, I wouldn't choose to do it again because its long and hard but with some horses it is possible

 

[amandathepanda]

Send her back. Horses should be a pleasure and the last thing you need if you haven't owned a horse for a few years is to have your confidence shattered by this one. I would ask for a refund as if this mare was described as 'easy to do' I wouldn't be willing to trust that the dealer will find you anything better.

 

[flowerlady]

Agree with most posts send her back before your warranty runs out and you are stuck with her.

Get your money back and look elsewhere. Let us know how you get on.

P.S. By the way Welcome to the forum.

 

[RedVendetta]

I had exactly the same problem with a mare I got from a dealer early this year. After 24 hours I rung the dealer and insisted they take her back - she was exactly the same, absolute bitch in the stable and I didnt care how quiet she was to ride, they were taking her back. I rang every day for a week and eventually after much harrassment, they came and picked her up. They then insisted on me having another horse from them. I informed them I had rejected the goods within 24 hours, so I had the right to a full refund. My money was refunded and I now have the most wonderful, perfect horse for me. Do NOT take ANY crap from anyone, send the mare back and tell them if they cannot provide a replacement within a 'reasonable' time (usually 1-2 weeks) then you require your money back or you're taking them to the small claims court. This is your money and you have a lot of rights as a buyer. Use them!
Sorry to rant on but I was SO lucky and I now have such a brilliant horse, I would hate to think after 6 years of waiting you end up with a horrible horse... or even worse, paying livery for a horse you're not going to keep. Good luck xxx

 

[Happytohack]

Hi and welcome. I agree with the others - send the horse back before you or someone else gets hurt. Horses are expensive to keep and it costs just as much to keep a bad one as a good one

. While you hang on to her, the dealer you bought her from will be in no hurry to find you something else. I hope you have more luck with the next one. Regards the traffic issues - you could get badly hurt on a horse that isn't good in traffic, don't put yourself at risk.