Advice on my new mare!

[thatjedgirl]

Hi!
I’ve recently just bought a new mare after my last horse passed away in December. She is a Hanoverian from Contendro. I bought her from a lovely couple however they hadn’t ridden her for a year as the man quit riding at the age of 76. I think she has also been aloud to get away with a lot.
She’s been at my yard for 3 weeks, she is lovely to ride however she is very spooky at everything! And a few times she’s spooked at something and spooked out into the road! Other than the spooking shes lovely to ride!

However on the ground I’m struggling with her. I tried bringing her up to her stable without her field companion and she tried to jump the stable door! When I bring her up with her field companion she never settles in the stable and can be a pain to groom and tack up as she moves big. When I’m doing up her girth or her rug she seems to go to nip me which makes me uneasy.
Just looking for some advice on being more confident with her on the ground. And also with the nipping as well. She is just a very sharp horse and it’s testing my confidence. It feels like I’m never going to bond with her.

 

[TheMule]

You have bought a beautifully bred blood type of warmblood who sounds like she has been in unsuitable homes. Unfortunately she is probably not going to be the type to thrive in an inexperienced amateur home without a lot of guidance and support from good professionals. Do you have any help?

 

[brighteyes]

It is very early days! They revert to their default setting in new homes and will take her time to adjust. I have one who was easy to manage from the off, but still it has taken a full 12 months to settle and become tuned to me more. I have experience and backup and a his owner (he's an ex racer on loan) is very experienced and genuine. Having said all that, I am no spring chicken and he is no slouch. I have the advantage of my own place and a closed herd and still we have had our moments. Also you got a mare...

Stick with it. Get some pro help and you'll have a different horse altogether soon.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

First of all, forget about the 'bond' concentrate on building a working relationship. Then I would get a stable mirror for her, to help her to settle in the stable.

Make sure that you are consistent in everything you do with her, do not allow her to get away with bad manners. If that means leading her in a bridle, with a schooling whip available to hold her back/move her forward, so be it. She needs someone to show her what is expected of her in her new home. That person has to be you but you might want to get some professional support.

 

[brighteyes]

First of all, forget about the 'bond' concentrate on building a working relationship. Then I would get a stable mirror for her, to help her to settle in the stable.

Make sure that you are consistent in everything you do with her, do not allow her to get away with bad manners. If that means leading her in a bridle, with a schooling whip available to hold her back/move her forward, so be it. She needs someone to show her what is expected of her in her new home. That person has to be you but you might want to get some professional support.

Yep.

 

[thatjedgirl]

You have bought a beautifully bred blood type of warmblood who sounds like she has been in unsuitable homes. Unfortunately she is probably not going to be the type to thrive in an inexperienced amateur home without a lot of guidance and support from good professionals. Do you have any help?

Yes she has been in an unsuitable home. I am experienced, I have owned horses for 13 years. I have support from a girl who show jumps top horses. I have put this thread up for advice from other people.

 

[Tiddlypom]

What does the girl who show jumps top horses suggest that you do?

Has she seen you with your new horse?

 

[thatjedgirl]

Yep.

What does the girl who show jumps top horses suggest that you do?

Has she seen you with your new horse?

yes she is ha

What does the girl who show jumps top horses suggest that you do?

Has she seen you with your new horse?

yes she it’s helping me, she is my best friend and is on my yard. I was just wondering if there’s any tips from other people

 

[oldie48]

I have a Hanoverian mare and have had a few ups and downs with her although for the first few months she didn't put a foot wrong. I have found that she needs very clear boundaries and firm but fair handling (don't they all?) I am used to geldings and so many people told me I needed to handle a mare differently, tbh I've not found that the case, if she steps out of line she has to be told that that is not allowed even more firmly than any of my geldings have needed. She's clever and recognises any indecision or lack of confidence in hand or under saddle and will try to take advantage. She will test pro riders too so I don't take it personally. Your mare is still settling in but my advice would be to be very clear with her, she needs a leader not a best friend, use whatever you need to handle her on the ground and do all the simple things like making her step back when you go into her stable, move away from you and keep out of your space, keep your body language and voice confident. Get help should it start to get worse. I am not sure if this helps or not but good luck with her, she's beautiful and very well bred!

 

[TheMule]

Yes she has been in an unsuitable home. I am experienced, I have owned horses for 13 years. I have support from a girl who show jumps top horses. I have put this thread up for advice from other people.

Maybe this would be best posted somewhere other than 'New riders and owners' which would rather suggest that you are inexperienced?
good luck with your mare, she looks lovely

 

[thatjedgirl]

Yep.

Thank you for the advice! I will deffo get a stable mirror for her! I have my own yard too so it’s much easier!

I have a Hanoverian mare and have had a few ups and downs with her although for the first few months she didn't put a foot wrong. I have found that she needs very clear boundaries and firm but fair handling (don't they all?) I am used to geldings and so many people told me I needed to handle a mare differently, tbh I've not found that the case, if she steps out of line she has to be told that that is not allowed even more firmly than any of my geldings have needed. She's clever and recognises any indecision or lack of confidence in hand or under saddle and will try to take advantage. She will test pro riders too so I don't take it personally. Your mare is still settling in but my advice would be to be very clear with her, she needs a leader not a best friend, use whatever you need to handle her on the ground and do all the simple things like making her step back when you go into her stable, move away from you and keep out of your space, keep your body language and voice confident. Get help should it start to get worse. I am not sure if this helps or not but good luck with her, she's beautiful and very well bred!

Thank you! I had an ex racer before who would test me but eventually he was amazing! I’m just not very familiar with warmbloods! I will make sure I do all this!

 

[oldie48]

Thank you! I had an ex racer before who would test me but eventually he was amazing! I’m just not very familiar with warmbloods! I will make sure I do all this![/QUOTE]
I think TBs let you know exactly how they are feeling as soon as they see you, WBs just seem to suddenly chuck it at you, not so easy to read. Well that's been my experience.

 

[HeyMich]

Has anyone suggested stomach ulcers yet? The nipping when rugging/girthing and the anxiety in the stable could suggest ulcers, and the recent move may have brought the on. I would speak to a vet asap and get her scoped. My mare had ulcers and her nippy/anxious behaviour stopped once she had the right treatment. Good luck, I hope she settles soon.

 

[splashgirl45]

maybe look at what you are feeding her as well, i had a warmblood mare and she was loopy on calm and condition that everyone else found really suited their horses. i also had to be really careful with carrots, more than a couple also seemed to make her more spooky than normal....also was she out 24/7 at her other home and not used to a stable..

 

[HazuraJane]

First of all, forget about the 'bond' concentrate on building a working relationship. Then I would get a stable mirror for her, to help her to settle in the stable.

Make sure that you are consistent in everything you do with her, do not allow her to get away with bad manners. If that means leading her in a bridle, with a schooling whip available to hold her back/move her forward, so be it. She needs someone to show her what is expected of her in her new home. That person has to be you but you might want to get some professional support.

100% yes to this!