grumpy nearly 2 year old mare - advise please?

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sisba

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Hi,

I have a wonderful ISH nearly two year old mare, who is also very very mareish!! Can be really sweet when she feels like it and is very intelligent and responsive, but also can be a complete madam, head shaking when told to do anything around the stable (but still does it!) majority of the time greets with ears back unless she thinks you have food, lets you know when she has had enough grooming with ears flat back and a potential bite - then promptly jumps away as she knows she has been naughty. And equally violent with the farrier as she just does not feel like it. He is wonderful with her too. I realise babies are testing, but just wondered if anyone has had a yearling similar in the hope I can be told they turned out to be a wonderful sweet lady!!! Any advise??
 
She isn't a mare yet, she is a filly and needs to be out in the field playing with others. How much is she doing on a daily basis?
 
yes sure - mare is just a figure of speech for a little girl! she is getting 8 hours a day turnout with other mares, and comes in over the evening.
 
My point in saying that was, don't mix up being "mareish" with being a baby. All babies go through a stage but can also "play up" if scared,or unsure what is being asked of them. As an example I never expect my youngsters to be led away from their herd alone. I walk them with another so they feel secure. If having the farrier, I stand the most sensible older field mate next to them...etc. It is too easy to think of them as "naughty" when they need to be reassured.
 
thank you for your response, I completely agree, I suppose it is just a confidence thing for her and she will grow out of it. I must admit I am a little concerned she should be out 24/7 with others on good grazing, I may look at moving her in the summer so she can be a baby for a while:)
 
A lot have to come in at the moment with the ground as it is. Definitely for youngsters being out is best .. Currently mine are coming in at night..my youngest is 9 months but he is fine as I have him in a middle stable with his family each side and opposite. I cannot wait for the ground to dry up and for them to get the sun on their backs.
 
Hmmm, i have one of those! Shes rising 2. She can be a complete madam at times. She is living out 24/7 with others and has been out 24/7 since the end of last winter. She was stabled at night last winter (when actually i think she was better for being handled).

She is a baggage with new people, so the foot trimmer always gets it (shes known him since a foal now). I'm hoping she grows out of it also. But it turns out (on speaking to her breeder) her mum was the same at her age. So i dont think its necessarily how you keep them.

I am hoping she grows out of it also!
 
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