Help???

[RoyalPolo]

I've got to the stage were im really not sure what to try next with my mare

Shes started kicking out and has double barrelled me once now in the legs thankfully i was ok the farrier came today and she was trying kick him also he gave her a slap once and it made no difference she did the same again he hit her twice then which was then when i said enough! One slap is sufficent imo there like my babies so it was like watching someone hit my child is the only way i can describe it!

Now she hasn't come from the best home in the world but i've had her since september last year now she had been fine with her legs up until then she would sometimes snatch them away but that would be about it she can be a bit nervy but i can't make out if shes doing it because shes being nasty or because shes hurting/scared or maybe sensed that the farrier was then nervous of her for the first attempt as he doesn't really like hard work or problem horses his a wimp in some ways his not like some farriers who just get on with it he just wont shoe them or asks for them to be doped

Now i put her onto calmer in the hope to maybe just take the edge of her and just make her a bit easier to handle in general but its obvisouly had no effect now i've got the stage were im not sure what to do next so this were i could do with some ideas or other peoples experiance so i can maybe help her become better behaved as i really dont want to send her back to her owner.

 

[kerilli]

first, i don't think the farrier's being a wimp - if he gets injured his livelihood is at stake. farriery is a hard enough job if the horse is being good! if he's off for a month or two (or worse) because your mare really gets him, are you going to pay his wages?! good farriers are hard to find and it's wise to keep them happy imho.

she isn't a baby, she is probably half a ton of horse. if she is frightened or hurting, she needs sympathy and for it to be sorted out, but if she is being evil trying to kick people, she does need a smack or two. if she gets you properly she could kill you. it's not a bad habit, it is serious behaviour.
a very good trick i saw done years ago was to make an "extended arm" out of a broom handle covered in foam with a shirt sleeve over it and a stuffed glove on the end. you can hold this in your hand and use the glove to stroke the horse's back legs while you are safely 4' away - it will look to the horse as if it is your arm and hand. might be worth doing to desensitise this mare.
alternatively, or perhaps if that doesn't desensitise her, i would get a vet out to sedate her and check her back and back legs to see if there's a reason why she is doing this.

 

[bexandspooky]

You need to find out if the horse is in pain or if it is just taking the piss out of you. If it is just taking the piss then you need to take serious action and drop this rubbish about the horse being like your baby - a baby couldn't kill you with one swift kick of it's bad mannered leg if it so chose - a horse is a large and potentially dangerous animal that needs to be shown clearly what is right and what is wrong - and i dont mean beating ten shades out of it - just a good clear signal that what it is doing isn't acceptable.

As for calling your farrier a wimp - try doing his job for a few months and see how wimpey he is after.

 

[QUICKFIRE]

Have you asked the owner, what she would do, but from what you say, wasn't the best home, sounds to me as if the mare is trying it on, but echo what Kerilli has suggested

 

[RoyalPolo]

I am not the only one who thinks my farrier is slightly wimpy in my area otherwise i probably would not of said it as there job is not easy but they get payed more than enough for it and you take the job on knowing that horses are dangerous etc and not all of them are a walk in the park.

I've no problems with giving my horse a slap for her behaviour at all but i dont really like to watch my horse get hit once was more than enough it sounded loud enough to hit her twice just took the biscuit because i know her well enough and better than him to know she can be nervy at times although in some ways i do think she is taking the pee.

I dont really want to ask her owner one way to describe her is "simple" lol she probably wouldn't have much to say shes rather odd it will probably be my last resort ringing her as shes never even contacted me since i took her on.

The broom handle idea was good though i may give it a try and see if its something shes going to make a habit of or just a one off type thing.

This has also recently started since we added a new mare into the field that she has started to kick but i dont know if this would have anything to do with her behaviour as she has been kicked out and the other mare can be quite mean to her at times.

 

[kerilli]

RoyalPolo, please don't make excuses for her - if she's kicked you once and tried to kick the farrier, it's not really got anything to do with whatever horses she's turned out with. once she's in the yard and with you or the farrier or whoever, she must mind her manners. you need someone experienced to handle her and work out why she's doing it before someone gets seriously hurt.
you seem very muddled - you say she's nervy, then you say "in some ways i do think she is taking the pee." it is one of the hardest things with horses - working out whether they're saying "SHAN'T" (i.e. naughty, defiant) or "CAN'T" (confused and worried.)
please get a good horse vet out to check her over, if she's kicking badly it really does need getting to the bottom of.

 

[KatieLovesJames]

quote'This has also recently started since we added a new mare into the field that she has started to kick but i dont know if this would have anything to do with her behaviour as she has been kicked out and the other mare can be quite mean to her at times.'
Horses lower in the pecking order often try to be dominant with people instead, so it could be related.

Agree with kerilli, your farrier should not have to deal with a horse who is bad mannered and/or dangerous.

 

[jellyshake]

what do you do when she kicks out or snatches her foot away? if you are unsure of her reasons are you perhaps not reprimanding her for her actions, therefore in her eyes accepting it? do you ride her and if so has her ridden work changed? that would be a good indicator of if she's in pain.
you need to firstly work out the why before you can find the right 'cure'

 

[Rayado05]

Hi RoyalPolo, I agree with some of the posters on here that there needs to be some sort of judgement - pain or behaviour.
Mares can be sensitive creatures to change, and especially to the change in the hierarchal system of the herd. This can lead to some changes in behaviour.
however, if there is a lack of respect for you as the 'one in charge' then this is where 'nasty habits' become extremely serious problems.

Firstly, I would consider how I am dealing with this horse on a day to day basis. Horses are horses, not children and thus needed to be handled and treated like a horse. This they understand, it's about boundaries, respect and leadership.

I'm not saying beat her with a big stick or anything, but I am saying - rule out pain first and foremost, not just external - but check internal, often with mares there can be an internal 'lady problem' that may need attention and can cause this change.

Once this is ruled out then you need to consider your behaviour with her, so that she respects your wishes and not decides to 'try out for top dog' or 'make me' attitude.

Good luck!!!