Can we talk Horse Calming/ Stress Signals ?

[Spangles]

After doing some research I think our mare is displaying 'Calming Signals' but we are at a loss to know why ? She is mostly like it with me, and signals are mainly ..
- Head and neck turning away when I approach - right round to her flanks
- She also drops her head on the floor (as if sniffing the floor) and will stand there for a a godd secs or so before moving again
- Doesn't want me to approach her head/ neck - aversion to being groomed - will thriw her head up no matter how quiet and calm I am.

She is my daughters pony so I don't ride but spend time with her and like to groom her when daughter is at school or rising her other horse etc The pony has displayed this behaviour on and off for a couple of years and it may have started after I gave her a static shock ? She will be better for a bit and then start again but thinking about it I cannot pinpoint an obvious trigger ?

She has had health issues over the past 5yrs ie hocks, suspensories. sacroilliac which are monitored and treated. She is a very happy hacking pony with plenty of exercise displaying no pain issues or unhappiness about being ridden.

So, I think it's me. There is something about me that must be making her anxious/ fearful ? We are now in a fabulous new yard now (since January) after a difficult time having to leave a long standing yard and then being in an interim yard. We have kind and relaxed staff, lovely hacking, more turnout now, ad lib forage, calm yard.

I do talk to the horses when I'm milling around, I am not overly fussy with them, don't smother with hugs etc

Has anyone experienced this ? I will admit I have been very stressed and anxious this past year which she may have picked up on but previous years I think I have been a pretty chilled person. But, she's obviously picking up on something when I am near. She didn't react to my husband hardly at all yesterday but when I entered her stable quietly and calmly she jumped up into the air and threw herself to the back of the stable. It's almost as if I am waving a stick or a snake at her or have a band of electricity around me. This is obviously a 'Stress Signal' ...

I am even thinking of getting a horse communicator involved to try and find out what it is that is bothering her ?

 

[planete]

I would get a properly trained equine behaviourist.

 

[Alibear]

One thing, sometimes we become too aware and try to aproach so quietly and gently that in reality we're acting like a stalking preditor and that's the cause of the issue. So whilst being aware is good, try to approach just the same way as you would with any other horse.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would say that the pony thinks you are nervous/worried around her and is doing her best to reassure you through her own behaviour. I don't think the problem is hers, really.

 

[Kaylum]

Horses senses are really different to ours. They rely on smell a lot. Perfume, washing powder, strong scents they do not like. I suggest this all the time when you go to a horse smell like a horse. Go to a horse she likes and get its smell on your clothes. We do this with horses that are unsettled moving yards. Get the smell of horse they know on you. Get a tshirt and rub it over the horse they know. They recognise that smell. Same with dogs when they go into kennels and stress or if one runs away you will be told you need clothing with your smell on it. Hence the reason I do not like highly scented shampoo. It might smell nice to us but doesn't help the animals.