Advice

M

Mxlze

New User
Joined
5 January 2026
Messages
3
Visit site
Hi All,
I bought a 2 yo mare & she came home yesterday.
This is the first time I’ve been able to have my own at home & not a livery yard.

She seems to be settling in okay & is eating & drinking.

My only concern is that when I touch her flank, she pulls a face & appears to be very sensitive & to not want me anywhere near.

The vet is due a zone visit week after next, but just wanted to ask if you guys had any suggestions?

Thanks :) ☺️
 
Give her time, she's young and had a huge upheaval in her life, possibly for the first time ever. Keep doing the basics quietly but don't overdo it. Feed her, brush the areas she's happy to be touched, work on lifting her feet (maybe fronts only to begin with), spend time with her and build your trust in each other but don't make a huge fuss of her. If you still have the same issue in 3 or 4 weeks, that's when I would start to worry.

Does she have company? It's not entirely relevant to the issue but every horse needs equine company and it will help her to settle more quickly.
 
It's a really tickly spot!
Most say 'no thank you' when you first touch it. If the response doesn't go away after a few touches/brush strokes or escalates but not if it's just a skin shiver or flicking an ear back.
 
Hi all,
Thanks for your answers.
Yes, she is my first youngster.
Must seem like a ridiculous question to ask. I wouldn’t normally go out of my way to touch her flank, I’d just happened to & noticed her do it so I thought I’d just ask the question!

Appreciate it:)
 
Annagain said:
Does she have company? It's not entirely relevant to the issue but every horse needs equine company and it will help her to settle more quickly.
Click to expand...
If she is alone, she wil be more stressed, which will make her tense, sensitive and possibly ulcery.

As others have said, every horse needs company, but a youngster even more so.

The only reason I ask is that you said this was the first time you have had a horse at home instead of on livery, which makes me wonder if you have a companion for her?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top