Dangerous mare

I appreciate that this is probably the longest delay ever in delivering an update but just thought some of you who took the time to give advice would like to know how my girl is doing.
We are now a few years down the line and I have to say she is my horse of a lifetime! The idea of being without her now leaves me cold. She is still opinionated and full of attitude but she is the bravest mare I have ever met! Providing I remember my manners and ask questions she would tackle anything! I know her inside out now so the unpredictability has gone and to an outsider looking in she is a normal horse. Would I trust her with anyone else?no but that probably says more about me than her and I'm possibly doing her a disservice.
I just wanted to let you know what a fabulous horse I have and to anyone who is struggling don't be afraid to ask for help. We did and we've never looked back :-)
 
Baileybones said:
I appreciate that this is probably the longest delay ever in delivering an update but just thought some of you who took the time to give advice would like to know how my girl is doing.
We are now a few years down the line and I have to say she is my horse of a lifetime! The idea of being without her now leaves me cold. She is still opinionated and full of attitude but she is the bravest mare I have ever met! Providing I remember my manners and ask questions she would tackle anything! I know her inside out now so the unpredictability has gone and to an outsider looking in she is a normal horse. Would I trust her with anyone else?no but that probably says more about me than her and I'm possibly doing her a disservice.
I just wanted to let you know what a fabulous horse I have and to anyone who is struggling don't be afraid to ask for help. We did and we've never looked back :-)
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Congrats :D

pop up some piccies of your achievements. Great news :D
 
Baileybones said:
I really need some advice.

I have a a tb mare who I got 18 months ago. She is stroppy at best and dangerous at worst but I honestly think she doesn't mean any harm.

She came from racing and had a very hard time - broken pelvis, broken jaw etc so is is very distrusting. She has got much better and is really talented and trys so hard.

Every now and then though something will set her off and she will flip! Today I was tacking her up and something set her off and she reared up and the proceeded to smash up the yard, the school fence, herself and her bridle.

My instructor watched her today and has said that she honestly thinks this mare will end up hurting or killing either me or herself.

I can't pass her on and wouldn't dream of breeding from a horse with a temperment like this but I don't want to make a final decision that I will live to regret.

Do you think its possible that this unpredictable dangerous behaviour will stop in time or am I just kidding myself??

Within minutes of exploding she is back for cuddles. She has seen dentists, vets, farriers, physios and chiros.

Any ideas welcomed.
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yip think long term,, everyone will say oh pts dangerous mare..me give it time patience and good handling and shell come round, took my mare 6 months to trust me enough to be comfortable with me in her sable, shes still stupid with strangers and the vet...but my god shes fantastic at her job, jumps for fun and looks after me, don't be so quick to give up...some people just think pts if they aren't robots...how dangerous is she really.. I mean with good management and correct feed etc, dangerous is a very diff thing to being a pain in ass, altho these days if horse doesn't conform to our standards it seems everyone suggests pts... most probs is pain related..eliminate cause of pain and see if mare is ok...I know you say everything been checked..but something must trigger it...iv yet to meet a horse who just blows for no apparent reason !
 
Baileybones said:
Thanks to everyone for responding - all read and taken on board.

My vet came out today and we have checked mare out today from top to bottom (scans, Xrays etc). Up shot is a no pain so I am looking at a behaviour issue.

We have come so far and she is starting to trust me so I know we can build on this.

This time last year she had a melt down if the clippers were even on in thr same yard as her - the other week with the help of a Michael Peace dvd I clipped her with no drugs and tricks by myself with her just in a head collar.

If she can take the clippers after her bad experience (pinned down and clipped as a yearling for the sales) then I think we can break down the tacking up as well with a similar technique.

In answer to some of the questions she is 9 and I got her 18 months ago.
She is fed on nothing but Hi Fi lite and grass / hay. She broke her jaw and pelvis when she was pulled over as a youngster with a chiffney in order to "teach her a lesson".

She has bred one foal and the reason I got her was because despite covering her 3 times in one season she didn't take. She was hobbled to be covered!

I know plenty of people think I'm an idiot but she is with me forever however long that may turn out to be. If I have to make that final decision then I will but I will have tried my hardest first because someone owes her that much at least. I am really lucky to be on a private yard with only 2 others so I can make this decision without putting anyone else or their horses at risk.

I'm also going to see about rearranging my work hours so that i can work her in the mornings when the others are at work and safely out of the way.

Thanks again to everyone.
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With a mare like this and judging by the response you had from her towards clipping when you took a different approach I would certainly be looking into natural horsemanship with her.

My ex racers mare has never been dangerous but aggressive? Yes. Lacking confidence and trust? Yes. A stress head? Absolutely. We begun doing natural horsemanship groundwork with her the summer we bought her and it has done nothing but help her in every way possible. She is much more confident (can now be generally left alone and will hack alone whereas before she would not leave the yard), she is very rarely aggressive in any manner and she is just so much more chilled and happy.

The natural horsemanship exercises are brilliant, you can see the cogs working as they figure things out and when they lick and chew after completing an exercise you see how much they are thinking about what they've done.. I find it brilliant and I hope you'll explore a similar route before having to make decision.
 
Haven't read all replies.

I've always firmly believed horses do everything for a reason.
Pain has been ruled out then, so its a mental issue. I've also always believed any mental issue can be resolved with A LOT of time. You need to think through every single thing that could possibly be causing her behaviour, if something happens just before she goes mad etc and ring her trainer and past trainers (you can find her past trainers by typing her name into racingpost.com) to find out all information they have. They could say something that explains this for example did anything happen to her whilst in training.

Best of luck
 
What an awe inspiring thread :D.Fantasatic OP!. For what its worth, i wouldnt have PTS, the mare sounded like she just needed a chance and wanted to be heard. :)
 
Fabulous news! So pleased you did not listen to those saying PTS. I do however think there is ALWAYS a reason for such behaviour, and it is usually physical. However, it seems that in this case it was mental. Did you ever get to the bottom of what triggered her behaviour?
 
Not read all the replies but isn't just when you tack her up ( bridle) she flips out? If so check her ears for aural plaque. I have had two horses now behave in a similar fashion when tacking up due to this. One ran backwards through a stable wall so they can be quite difficult with it. Once it was treated they were totally fine to tack up.
 
Just read through the entire thread, so pleased theres a positive outcome for you and horsey. You are what being a horse owner is all about, great result enjoy your lovely horse! X
 
If she has been badly treated she is lacking in trust now. Can you spend time with her, I mean months, not days, just being with her, grooming, feeding etc and not asking anything of her. See how she is when you just have quality time and no demands - she may need a lot of nurturing to get over the nasty treatment of her past - but if you can truly gain her trust you may have a lovely long-term partnership on your hands. It makes me so angry to think how some poor horses have been treated.

edited to add - whoops teach me not to look at the date of a post - I am so pleased for your mare that she met you. Congratulations both :)
 
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Thank you all so much! I can just about remember what it felt like to hit rock bottom and just thought if our story can give someone else hope then all the better!
I now adore my quirky mare and she always chooses to come and see me and always comes over as soon as I appear in the field! Our bond is honestly different to any relationship I've had with other horses.
 
Also anyone know how I can amend my original title or thread so people can see this is an update? I've mastered typing but that appears to be my limit ;-) x
 
Is it likely the damage to her head has caused brain trauma? Hence her jackal and hyde behaviour? I can't imagine anyone getting away from such a traumatic injuries without any form of damage, whether temporary or permanent. To break a horses jaw, it must have been some impact/accident.
Sending you good luck vibes and hope she keeps on improving x
 
Wonderful update. Congratulations to both of you and so glad you didn't listen to the advice suggesting PTS.

I was advised to PTS a mare like yours and yet she turned out to be an absolute cracker and as honest as they come.

Sometimes patience, problem solving and a belief that there's an honest horse behind the behaviour brings a resolution like yours.
Sending you a cyber handshake.:D
 
You'll never have a bond quite as strong or deep with any other horse OP, as you will have with her, because it is forged through fire which makes it special.

My mare and I have been exactly where you are now. It was worth every step of the way though despite all the tears and sleepless nights. We have both learnt so much and belong to each other and we are both stuck like glue.

I really believe that horses can and are often pushed over the edge and that they do suffer from nervous breakdowns just like us. You've fallen in love with her because you can feel her pain and your now taking the first steps on a hard and long journey which is always a gamble. Learn from it. Stay safe and enjoy the ride of your life!;)
 
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