can horses go through behaviour phases

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beechwoodbutch

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I have owned my mare for 5 years she is now 7, I am not the most experienced horse person but i have lessons every week and i think we are progressing nicely (I didn't intend to buy a 2 year old but was told she was 4!). She has never been really confident outside but the last 6-9 months has been her worse hacking time, someone said it is because she is maturing and testing me, could this be right or is it a phase she is going through, she is fantastic in every other way, we have even affilliated at dressage, she is a lovely natured cob, going out with another horse does not help it probably makes her more anxious, any ideas or suggestions please?
 
I'd say your friend was right and she probably was testing you
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If everything has been checked obviously x
 
I have a 5yr old just turned 5 and we where getting on great guns when he had me of a couple of times. I had all the normally checks all ok. My inst said it was his age she got on him and worked him through it. I am now back to riding normally and went out to dressage on tues and got a score of 63%

He never had his ears back does now and is just a tad grumpy, we are putting it down to age and once he has worked through it about 5/10 mins in school he is fine.

Out hacking no ears or faces etc so think he just relates the school to work!!
 
have you got a school to ride in? if you have i would put things she is scared og in there and spend time walkin her round them in hand until she is not bothered by them, then ride her past them spending as long as it takes. if after this she is still playing up on hacks i would say she is testing you. i have a just turned 4 horse and he at one point wouldnt leave the yard pretending to be napping when i knew he was not, they all have phases and problems but they are almost all solvable in the end. i hope things get better for you and well done on your dressage i hope to be there with my lad in a few years!
 
Yes, mine def do when they are moving up to the next level of training/work, they seem to be especially keen to point out the holes in my riding
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as soon as I catch up they find another
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