Complete temperament change?

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LilMissy

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I have an older mare, she is in her mid 20's and since last year seems to have had a complete temperament change. Im at a bit of a loss to know why and what to do with her?

I have had her six/seven years and she has always been a very sweet mare, not a herd leader in the field, stay out of trouble, loved being petted and was easy to do in general.

She is now really aggressive to the other horses in the field, all of whom she has lived with for years (except the youngsters but has been in with all of them for months). The only one she wont go for is my dominant mare, I have seen them grooming each other but this is the only other horse she will be friendly with (unless in season and then stands and flirts with geldings). I have even seen her double barrelling the pony into a corner (they are now separated). She is constantly grumpy with the other horses and its getting a bit risky to go into the field with them as she constantly rushes the others if they get too close to her or me, which means I get run over if she comes from behind!

I have tried her in with just one other mare who she used to live with very very happily and she was still aggressive. Also with a bigger group but again she isn't any different.

In terms of handling, she is still easy to catch and enjoys a groom but she has become really fidgety for the farrier (never been a problem before) and is frankly a NIGHTMARE to lead in and out from stables. Rearing, kicking out, trying to take off, leaping off the floor, prancing and generally being an idiot. I used to be able to let my toddler lead her but definitely not now!!!

She lost loads of weight over winter and we couldn't find out the reason.

She was blood tested twice, had her teeth done twice, she was tested for cushings as well and also worm counted etc. All negative.

Slightly lame due to some arthritis but never hopping lame, treated with bute in winter but is now off any bute as she is sound and running around like a two year old. Weight now back to normal. She gets bute for farrier visits in case she is stiff and its sore but still being very fidgety and kicking out.

Any one have any ideas please?
 
Not recently. I know she has a lot of uterine cysts but she has had those for years. Vet seemed to think a tumour would show in blood work?

I did ask about ovaries but he seemed to think symptoms would be different, although this was mainly when trying to sort out her dramatic weight loss over winter and she was also depressed as well. She was grumpy but not with the same energy as now!!
 
Has she had her eyesight checked? This can very often be a cause of sudden temperament change like this. If she doesn't notice them coming up nearby and is startled by them. Although they do tend to stick to one horse and use them as their nanny horse too.

I'd phone the vet and see what they suggest. A phone call for some advice and they'd be able to say whether they feel the need to come check her out.
 
She had a thorough MOT after the blood tests came back negative for a second time. Heart, lungs, teeth and eyes checked and all fine. I know she can definitely still see as I crept into the field (so as not to get trampled by gate!) and she was the first one to spot me! Also normally the first to see the red car coming down the track to the field - this is mine! Other cars and tractors go up and down and she doesn't pay any attention.

Would a tumour on ovaries/brain show any indication in blood work??
 
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