Help, my mare is aggressive when in the school

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Nickyhorse89

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Hi All

My mare has become aggressive when schooling with other horses, even with her field mates. Luckily more threatening behaviour but she has swung her bum a few times. It's mainly in the first half when I'm trying to get her onto the bit and working correctly. I really want to take her out competing but worried she'll have a go at every horse that goes past. I will put a red ribbon in her tail but some riders aren't very aware of their surroundings and ride too close for comfort.

What can I do to make her less aggressive? We hardly have the school to ourselves so was hoping she'll just get used to it but she's actually getting worse.

Thanks for your help
 
You say she has got worse, was the change gradual or sudden? As it has been so mild that a few on my yard have come into season. It might be worth trying her on something like oestrus to see if that helps. My girl is funny with others, but hers is fear so we have tackled it slowly over time.
 
This can also be down to her protecting her space because she is hurting somewhere in her body.My mare did this at one point many years ago and she turned out to have mild arthritic change in her hock which has been sorted and kept on top off.she competes dressage as is fine now but we caught it early.Just a thought.
 
muddy_grey said:
You say she has got worse, was the change gradual or sudden? As it has been so mild that a few on my yard have come into season. It might be worth trying her on something like oestrus to see if that helps. My girl is funny with others, but hers is fear so we have tackled it slowly over time.
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Gradually gotten worse. She's been on oestrus and didn't notice much of a difference. I've ridden her when she's in season and she fights with me more but eventually gets on with her work. Lately she's been a terror though. She used to just pin her ears back at other horse in the school but now she reaches out to bite or swings her bum.
She's fine when out hacking though, will happily walk next to another horse.
 
If it isn't normal behaviour for her I'd be having a chat with the vet. It may be something to to with her hormones but equally it could be pain related that is showing up more in the school.
 
I agree if she is fine with others out hacking then I would get a vet to check her out. If she is fine physically then maybe she is getting a bit bored of the school. It can be hard to keep thing interesting in the winter when all you can do after work is school
 
Thanks everyone. I try and get her out of the school at least once a week in winter but have been busy lately and the weather has been awful. I wouldn't be surprised if she's acting up out of boredom but I will get my physio to check get over to rule out pain.
 
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