Aggressive Mare

[Brichard]

I just recently brought my new mare home who is not broke. She seems to have decent ground manners and seemed to be pretty friendly and calm until today. I went out to grab her with her halter and lead rope like I usually do. Once I got to her she immediately put her ears back, reared up and tried to kick me. I instinctively stepped back and was very surprised. I approached again and this time she chased me out of the pasture. What does this sound like? Seems like she is trying to be dominant over me or just doesn’t want to be caught but her aggressiveness caught me by surprise... I’m just so upset because her training has been going so well and I felt like we had bonded until now. How do I correct this?

 

[shamrock2021]

Get her ovarys checked. my mare acted like that She had a big cystic ovarie.

 

[Megan V1]

Many years ago my little mare became very aggressive, not towards me but to other horses, she bit my other mare's lip off because she put her head over the wall towards her. Had the vet check her out and he thought it was a hormonal issue and that putting her in foal may help. We did this and she produced a lovely little filly, that I still have, who is now 27 and the mare never had an issue again, She was a great mum and completely chilled out. I am sure now they would be able to test for such things and be able to treat it as having a foal is a big commitment to cure such a problem.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

She is unbroken, unschooled and has moved to a new environment. This would be within expectations I would think depending on how much education she has had in true groundwork to daTe.

Get on with putting quality training into her and the problems will disappear.

My favourite quote from my favourite horseman “the difference between a horse and a great horse is just training”.

Other favourite from Dr Andrew McClean - Equitation Science International, “you can’t expect your horse to do something he has not been taught to do”.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The word that stands out in op for me is 'grab'. I realise that you meant catch but if that is how you think about catching her, I would say that is your problem.

 

[jhoward]

Kick it back and if you get the chance head lock and bite it on the nose
Horses are herd animals you need to step up and be the leader. Talk horse and your be ok.

Just Google horses in the wild and learn how they communicate

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Kick it back and if you get the chance head lock and bite it on the nose
Horses are herd animals you need to step up and be the leader. Talk horse and your be ok.

Just Google horses in the wild and learn how they communicate

I'm really, really hoping this is a tongue in cheek post.........

 

[View]

You say she is at home. Does she have equine company?

 

[Frano]

Is she in season. Get the vet to check for ovarian cysts.How long have you had her? Sounds as though it could be hormonal.

 

[J&S]

It may never happen again.......... I remember very clearly one and one only incident, years ago when I was young and brave, my unbroken NF mare came hurtling up the field towards me, as you describe, ears back. I stood my ground and as she went past I swiped her with my (not riding!) hat. After this all order was restored. I think she thought it might be a game she could play with a human. Her nature was second to none and I owned her for 25 years and never witnessed any thing other than the best of behaviours from her. Lets hope it is the same with your mare.

 

[Red-1]

My new horse has tried a range of options since coming 5 weeks ago. He has only tried each option once though, as they got him nowhere. I would get a plan together so she is never able to chase you out of the arena again, as that trick did get her something.

Meanwhile, I would consider the vet to check ovaries. The is likely her last season of the year, and they can be more savage than others.

I would also forget the idea of a quick bond. A bond develops when you become predictable and reliable. Overcoming this hitch is where a true relationship will develop.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would get the vet to check her one who is experienced reproductive health Would be best .
if it’s a health issue the sooner you know that and address it the less ingrained the behaviour will be .
Forget bonding it’s a nonsense notion that disrespectful to the horse at this stage .
Why where you grabbing her ?

 

[HeyMich]

Has anyone suggested ulcers to you? The recent move could have unsettled her enough to bring on ulcers, and they can lead to some very aggressive and unusual behaviour. I would talk to the vet about scoping asap.