Aggitation in 8 year old TB mare.

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showqa

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Looking for your thoughts guys.

Bought a mare back end of the summer. She's 8, ex - racehorse, has been off the track for a couple of years but spent the year before she came to me in a field and one of a herd of 20 with no real handling or work.

When I first got her she was a devil for not standing still, but must say that we did loads of work on this and she was 100% better. All was going well and then she was laid off for almost 5 weeks because of tne snow.

She's come back into work pretty nicely, BUT she seems very nervy and aggitated. When she's tied up she's started to paw and kick the wall, poo constantly, won't stand still - very bad manners. She's been suggesting a cow kick here and there, although does not get away with it as when she's threatening I hang on to her leg so she can't.

She's back to being dreadful to mount - will not stand still - and has decided she's terrified of cows all of a sudden.

Should say I'm not a nevery rider at all, and certainly out hacking she DOES always do as I'm asking in the end. But where has this come from? I've had her for 6 months now and she lives with my 7 year old gelding. They live in a yard onto a barn, so she's never stabled, and she's worked 5 times a week.

Is this sheer bad manners that's rearing it's ugly head after a 6 month honeymoon period? If so, how do I go about solving it?

Should say that at other times she's an absolute darling. Very sweet and affectionate. Only when she's taken away from the upper yard to come down to the lower yard for grooming etc does this behaviour kick in - so is it a separation anxiety? That said, she's hacked alone and worked alone most of the time, so used to going away from my gelding for a couple of hours at a time?

Too early for cycling I know, but are the hormones beginning to kick off?

Thanks all.
 
If it makes you feel better, my TB ex racer has been a bit of a loon over the cold weather. We moved yards just before the awful snow, he then had two weeks off, although he was turned out every day. We've had bucking in the stable, he managed to kick through a kickboard (somewhat embarrassing) and he's been really agitated in the stable, tied up or otherwise grooming etc. He is now back to his normal quiet self, both when being ridden and handled, which is a huge relief but it has taken a while. Do you know, 6 months is absolutely nothing. The more you get to know her, and as the weather hopefully improves, you can get into a good stable and exercise routine that suits you both. It's a real positive that she is behaving herself out hacking. She may well be testing the waters too, but be patient!! Very best of luck
 
My arabxtb mare was doing all of the above when tied up when I frist had her, she was behaving really badly.

I figured out that it was her stropping at being taken away from field buddies. I was remaining clam and just getting on with it, untill one day she kicked out really quite hard and nastily, hit the wheelbarrow, cracked it and tipped it over (muck everywhere). I had had quite enough by then sho she got a sharp whack with the whip across her back end twice and a good shouting at. She then stood like a lamb for the rest of the time.

She's only on light mix, chaff, beet and mollasses, and not fizzy in the slightest. Quite a dope infact.

You've got to gauge what her reactions mean before taking action. I know that with my mare it was stroppy dominance, she needed to be reminded that I am lead mare and that that was how it would stay. If it's a case of stropping, needs to be discaplined, if it's nerves, it needs dealing with in a completely different way.
 
showqa said:
Camomile - that's a good tip. Have you seen a positive result with it?
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I think it's made her less worried when new things happen, though some people think it's just my perception that's changed. Give it a try! I feed it as an infusion so she inhales it while she eats it.
 
oooh this is an interesting post my 7 year old TBx (mainly TB) mare has started kicking the wall when tied up and also bucking in the stable. We have worked out that she does it for attention either when she is bored at being tied up (even with a haynet) when I come into sight but ignore her or she sees me putting her hay in her stable.

Like you Sophieloubee I have been ignoring it and only going to her or giving her food etc when she stands nicely for a few minutes and she gets better for a couple of days but then does it again. I thought she was doing it because she had come into season again (she did it last time she was) and I have had an implant put in but this has made absolutely no difference so I think it was because she couldn't be turned out for a few days so her routine was messed up and now its a habit.

Maybe like you did SLB I need to get tough!

Sorry to hijack post :)
 
How weird. My 21 year old gelding has started bucking in the stable - just mini bucks and then slamming himself against the walls - just like a teenage strop. I think it might be to do with the weather changing all the time. One day it's icy, the next it's warm and sunny - I don't think they know where they're up to, and then I think mine gets too warm. It's also worth remembering that most racehorses who've run over fences will have been at their peak fitness level at this time of year, so they often perk up as they're waiting to run! Good luck everyone!
 
Holly Hocks, my farrier (who works with a lot of trotters) did wonder whether it was because when she was racing she would be well into it at this time of the year. I must say I don't know anything about racing!

Trouble is, my friend was riding her and now I hesitate to let her do so because she can be such a minx at the moment to tack up. So I now have two horses to ride!!!!!

See, I do get irritated by her - this may well be a bad mix. Her bad temper and my bad temper. Just knowing if she needs sympathy or admonishment.
 
Not too early for cycling. Both our mares are on their second season since just before Christmas! I think it's the early cold weather. The type we don't normally get until Jan Feb. Try calmer such as Top Spec Calmr. Worked a treat on my anxious TB gelding. And no, I don't think it's bad manners that is her problem. I think she's upset about something.
 
Do you think so Wagtail?

Actually, I have got some Top Spec today but, she refused her feed with it in. Obviously smells - she just tipped up the bucket, and she loves her food. So wondering how I can mask that now.

Haven't seen any other signs of oestrus, no winking, squiting, squeeling, straddling. Rather it was that - at least Id know what I was dealing with then!

She's not unmanageable but can be unpredictable at the moment, and just generally nervy and unable to relax in certain circumstances. If I do everything with her in the upper yard, feet, groom, tack up etc - she is far calmer than when I remove her from that environment to do these tasks.
 
Not sure what environment you have her in?

Must say Tb's are terribly sensitive to their environment and get narky if not kept in a strict routine and the sep anxiety can stimes be an issue. I thought I had mine on a strict routine at diy but then moved to full livery to a far more professional setup with a clockwork routine than the diy Yard provided.

My girl has now turned into an absolute Angel!!!

Good luck
 
One thing I would say is that pooing constantly while tied up and agitated is a sign of anxiety, not bad manners. I would guess that the lack of re-inforcing her "civilised" side during the snow and ice has left her feeling vulnerable and uncertain when taken away from her mates. She needs you to be calm and quietly firm as a herd leader would be. Routine and time should settle her down again x
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
One thing I would say is that pooing constantly while tied up and agitated is a sign of anxiety, not bad manners. I would guess that the lack of re-inforcing her "civilised" side during the snow and ice has left her feeling vulnerable and uncertain when taken away from her mates. She needs you to be calm and quietly firm as a herd leader would be. Routine and time should settle her down again x
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Have to agree with above,pooing constantly whilst tied up is a sign of anxiety/stress...my lad was out of work for 6 wks due to weather,brought him in to be tacked up to start work again and he shite all over and wouldnt stand still(he is 15,lol),however after having him all his life i have learnt to ignore his behaviour and just carry on with tacking up etc,he soon learnt :D
and he is an angel once you get on!
Once she learns that been taken away is only for a short period of time,she will learn,believe it or not it has taken 13yrs for my lad to settle in a stable on his own to be tacked up etc,lol...but this only improved 3 yrs ago when he moved into an american barn system,he hates normal stables,and yes TB,lol!
 
showqa said:
Do you think so Wagtail?

Actually, I have got some Top Spec today but, she refused her feed with it in. Obviously smells - she just tipped up the bucket, and she loves her food. So wondering how I can mask that now.

Haven't seen any other signs of oestrus, no winking, squiting, squeeling, straddling. Rather it was that - at least Id know what I was dealing with then!

She's not unmanageable but can be unpredictable at the moment, and just generally nervy and unable to relax in certain circumstances. If I do everything with her in the upper yard, feet, groom, tack up etc - she is far calmer than when I remove her from that environment to do these tasks.
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You need to introduce the top spec gradually. The dosage suggested is quite high and my well built 16.1 TB only needs half a scoop fr it to be effective. Just put in a quarter scoop then build up from there, and if yo are not already doing, make the feed wet so tat it disolves the powder. Your mare ounds just the sort it should work for. My gelding was very anxious, and now he's so laid back. Another horse whose owner tried it, it didn't work for, but she was not nervy, just naughty. :D
 
Thanks all for the great advice.

Yes, the Top Spec dose seems huge frankly. She has speedi-beet, so wet enough to mash in.

Such a darling most of the time, and unlike my other horse I did think that the lay off during the snow hasn't done her any favours at all. Complete lack of routine, and unlike my gelding she does seem to need that ultra strict routine much moreson. You've all given me some solid clues though, so that's great. Thanks a lot.
 
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