Help.......I need to calm my mare!!!

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YummyHorses

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I think she is in season but not sure - its just that she has many mood swings. Rode her saturday indoors and a little outdoors and she was fab. Listening to me, off the aids, soft and gentle. Tonight ears back when brushing her, hanging on the bit, slow off the leg and then when I asked for canter she just went mad. Swinging her head around, trying to get her tongue over the bit, shooting forward, no control.

She is just so all over the place - is there a way in which I can regulate her more? Im not sure its season related or whether she just gets her knickers in a twist sometimes and cant stop herself. I guess it all comes back to her hormones.

What do people use and what success have you had? Sorry for being so long winded but feeling a bit desperate!
 
Is this normal behaviour? Its just a few people seem to be having mare related problems at the moment, and I think it is just because they are coming into the last season of the year which is apparently always the worst?!!
 
Its worse than normal thats for sure - I just feel she/we could get on much better if she dropped a little of the attitude/highly strung/cow like behaviour.

Its also so demoralising coz one day we go like a dream and the next day she is horrible. I wouldnt mind but it takes me an hour to get to the yard, I ride in the evening after a full days work so when it goes badly I feel right arsey and want to scream!

Thank god I have a gelding as well, bless him, boring but always the same......
 
Try NAF Oestress, works well for my mare. She has definite seasons but this seems to even her out all year. I feed it all year round.
 
My mare is exactly the same at moment! She seems to have regressed to when I first got her, hanging off the bit, sticking her head in the air and fighting me- that was over 4 yrs ago! I barely schooled her for months and she went beautifully last week or so been a nightmare! Let me know if you find a cure!
 
"I wouldnt mind but it takes me an hour to get to the yard, I ride in the evening after a full days work so when it goes badly I feel right arsey and want to scream!"

Look, I might sound too strict, but the horse is always on the first place. Dont take your problems to the stable and dont use your horse to calm down your daily stress. We have lots of such people in the stable and I know their nervous horses quite well....

Give it time, be patient, stroke it, take if for a short walk, little bit of massage, show your mare you like her. And always have a good word for her if she shows more positive attitude during "her days". Simply encourage her. Never go home showing her you did not like the time with her.

I have had quite difficult mare for the last 14 years. She is simply like that but she has improved incredibly - no more panic and hysteric outbreaks for the last 5 years (Thanks God).
 
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"Look, I might sound too strict, but the horse is always on the first place. Dont take your problems to the stable and dont use your horse to calm down your daily stress. We have lots of such people in the stable and I know their nervous horses quite well....

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I think you're being a bit mean here, or have got the wrong end of the stick. I know exactly the trouble and frustration that the OP is having. My mare is an angel one day and vile the next and when you've been at work all day and you get on and she's in one of her moods, it does really put a dampner on the whole thing and it is VERY frustrating! I don't think she was saying that if she's in a bad mood from work then she takes it out on the horse.

In answer to the original post, as I said, I have the same trouble with Fizz, but i've just had to accept that that is just her. If she's in a stroppy mood, I keep it short and sweet and then get off or change to doing something that she enjoys, like putting some poles out - that always makes her smile! I don't see the point in trying to argue through it with her. If she's not in the moodfor flat work schooling, by arguing, all i'm doing is undoing to good stuff. I have recently tried her on Oestress, and if I'm perfectly honest, I can see no difference in her whatsoever. I'd save your money, but then every horse is different. Good Luck!
 
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Could I suggest you read my comments before typing - I found your views incredibly off the mark.

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Here here!
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Thank you fizzybombbomb - you understand my situation completely. I certainly try not to force anything and if she is in one of her moods restrict the amount of time schooling or as you say put a few poles down. Its just hard coz we could achieve so much more - she lets her strop get the better of her. You can see in her eye that she doesnt mean to be stroppy and desperately wants to please me. She gives me everything on the ground, just every other schooling she turns into a real witch.

Am gunna try a supplement - not sure what yet. I do think her last season has something to do with it but omg this one has sent her bonkers!
 
I think a few mares are having a late season this year. Fizz is normally kind and gentle to be around, yet at the moment, she is stroppy, ears back when you're changing rugs, or trying to nip. She has started double-barrelling her stable walls - honestly, she is like a different animal to the one I had in the summer! If you find anything that helps, please do let me know
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Look, I might be mean but I am not trying to offend anybody.
I am always trying to find mistakes by my side and not by my horse and improve them. We should stay open-minded and listen both negative and positive comments.

In your first two posts, BoonieRonnie, there is nothing about some patient attitude towards your mare during "her days" - only frustration. So I just wanted to make you think about it.

I dont doubt you love your horse and do your best for it. But couldnt we always do little bit more:-)?
 
I really dont feel you understand the point of my post and am not finding your comments of any assistance. Thanks but I will leave this thread - I feel its been side tracked.
 
Well I went out and bought some NAF Magic today for her so fingers xed. Drove over to the yard to drop it off at lunchtime so she gets onto it asap and have decided not to compete her this weekend, will leave it to early december so i get a good couple of weeks on it. She seemed nice and relaxed today and was pleased to see me, lots of hugs etc. Will go over tomorrow evening and school gently. I doubt it will have had any effect in just 48 hours but I can hope!

Will let you know if it does the job. If not will get another one!
 
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