Help needed with bitey horse!

[Moonberry]

Hi all,

My son has a fab little 6 year old mare. She is absolutely wonderful under saddle, has taken my son from not wanting to canter to his first days hunting yesterday (her first day also). I can't enthuse enough about her ridden temperament.

However, on the ground she's a different kettle of fish! Put simply she'll lash out with her teeth with venom if she's unhappy about something, and will also kick if the biting isn't getting the result she wants. Common causes can be trying to brush her tummy, and sometimes near her stifle, clipping some tickly bits (she's currently sporting a hunter clip with a hairy belly). Which all lead me to thinking hormones, ulcers?? She can also be a sweet pea when she wants.

Now, whilst I'm fairly competent at dealing with most ridden issues, I haven't come across the type of aggression she displays enough to not need advice in dealing with this.

Sorry for the essay, just needed to write it out somewhere as I am obviously aware and concerned that she could really hurt someone.

 

[Moonberry]

Should have added some more relevant information....

We've had her since August last year, she came to us very itchy and grumpy. We thought we'd had a real break through and she seemed to have really calmed down over the winter, but then she has been worse than ever in the last 2 weeks.

 

[Tyssandi]

Should have added some more relevant information....

We've had her since August last year, she came to us very itchy and grumpy. We thought we'd had a real break through and she seemed to have really calmed down over the winter, but then she has been worse than ever in the last 2 weeks.

could be hormonal, I have my mare on stroppy mare and it does seem to help her. I would get the vet as there must be an underlining issue, liver - ulcers - some sort of pain.

 

[Moonberry]

Already booked to come out this week. I know she's trying to tell me something, I just wish she'd tell us without eating people!

 

[Fiona]

Could be hormonal if it has just started again...

Fiona

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Hormones/allergy/ulcers/something else. Fingers crossed the vet can tell you.