Hormonal mare?

[vicky_744]

I purchased a 6 year old riding horse at the start of the year for my daughter. We have had a few problems down the line but now we are struggling with travelling and going forward at times.

Her back teeth saddle and a general vet overview have all been seen too.

The mare is putting stops in whilst jumping and refusing to go in front whilst hacking, she seems to want to be attached to which ever other horse is with her and when asking to go round or go off in front she just reverses until she is back behind the other horse, we have tried going out on her own but she just reverses back to the stable, have tried going off in front on leg and on a bike but the same happens.

My daughter has regular lessons with her and both of her instructors have advised to start her on regumate due to her being hormonal. She has been on this now for around two weeks and we still can not see a difference.

She loves her school work and being in an arena but the last few weeks this is we’re she has been putting stops in.

Please no nasty comments as we are trying our best with our mare, just looking for positive comments to help the mare to want to perform, her and my daughter have a good bond, she was very mareish when we first purchased her with grooming and being tied up, myself and my daughter have worked with this and she now happily stands to be groomed and fussed. Aswell as loading onto a trailer, this has improved a lot.

 

[smolmaus]

Since the instructors suggested a hormonal issue, are the problems worse every 3 weeks in line with her coming into season? If the problems are consistent I would look elsewhere. You also wouldn't necessarily see a difference in 2 weeks for a 3 week hormonal cycle.

The confidence out hacking will likely be a long term project. Personally I wouldn't force the issue if she doesn't absolutely need to be in front in a group. Let her stay in the back if she's happy until she builds that confidence gradually. She is only 6! That's a baby! It's taken 3 years for my mare to be okay going in front on a group hack. I've tried to force the issue and got absolutely nowhere.

When shes going out by herself, take her back another step and lead her with a headcollar under the bridle. Work up to unclipping the rope and walking in front, then work up to dropping back to her shoulder, then drop back behind etc coming back to her and clipping the rope back on when/if she loses confidence. Again, she is still a baby horse and needs to be taught these things are okay and she won't die and that takes time. Some 6yos will march out in front like they can take on the world but she clearly isn't one of these, just hold her hand for a bit.

Stopping at jumps could be a confidence issue as well, but it could also be a physical issue. If shes had a general vet workup that can still miss things. I've gotten answers from a good physio and an even better osteopath that my (excellent) vet didn't see, as they all look for different things! It's not just teeth, back, saddle. It can be hamstrings, thoracic sling, stifles, feet, neck, pelvis, gut, you name it. If it was my pony I would be getting out a well qualified physical therapist.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I’m not sure I’d label those behaviours as hormonal ones unless you see a regular pattern of “ under confidence”. I think as a rule of thumb if a horse of mine alters it’s usual pattern of behaviours then I look at tack..has anything changed, environment, feed, turn out and then to horse based stuff…pain, fear, lack of understanding what’s been asked. Is your mare a heavier type who doesn’t want to jump, was she just broken and did she have a good education prior to purchase, has she been over faced and overwhelmed ..so many potential reasons for behaviour change…youth would be high up on my list of reasons.

 

[lialls]

What do you mean by 'she is mare ish'?

If she's reactive in the girth/tummy area maybe it would be worth getting her scoped for ulcers?