difficult mare

[B_2_B]

just wondering if there's anything you can do to make bringing in a difficult mare any easier? maddie is a 16hh tb x hanovarian and only likes aobut 2 people! she's fine to bring out if the rest of the horses have been taken out first but if you want to bring her in to ride she's a right pain! she doesn't run away or anything but she puts her ears flat back and swings her bum round to kick and she tries to bite. i hate getting her out and although i don't do it very often i wanted to know if there's any tactics

 

[B_2_B]

anyone?

 

[pagancluf]

Food? take a pocket load of carrots and tempt her back in - no it's not right ethicly but if it helps??
My boy plants his feet so have come up with a new version of the carrot stick - "stick it in front of his nose til he gets to the gate" version.

Good luck

 

[B_2_B]

tried that lol. she nicks the carrot then puts her head up really high so you can't reach to put the headcollar on. and all the others try to eat the carrot too and we can't afford a carrot for each everytime they have to come in - last months feed bill was £701

that's what you get for running a rescue centre eh?

 

[GinaGem]

Could you use a lunge line or something similar so you don't have to get too close when leading. Not ideal but i know when my mare has a moody day the more space you give her the better!

Or how about a treat once she's in so that she associates coming in as a good thing?

 

[lexiedhb]

Also not totally correct to leave a headcollar on but if you did you would then only have to clip a rope on her when you had enticed her with the carrot, pony nut, polo or whatnot, and she wouldnt have a chance to raise her head. Or try with two of you, one to keep her head down with something edible, and another to put the head collar on?