Horse suddenly won't catch!!

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tanyajade

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Hi,

I've had my mare for a year now. Seen her in & out of seasons. The last couple of weeks they moved over to the summer field (lush gorgeous grazing). The owners kept bringing her in as usual about 1pm, fine. The last few days, I let her stay out till 3:30pm. Then, yesterday & today, the owners tried to get her in at 3:30, she won't catch. Ears back, trotting round, hiding behind other horses. Owner said she trotted at her with ears back, then swerved her. Disrespectful & slightly threatening. She is is season, squinting everywhere, but she's been in season before and never exhibited those behaviors. What's going on???
 
My 18 year old gelding does this every time we move fields, just being a knob! Usually it passes! Normally I manage to eventually catch him!
 
They've been there for two weeks, it's the last two days. It's the last two days, the ears back and that dominance/threat I don't like.
 
Why are they coming in in the middle of the day? it may be that she just wants to stay out an enjoy the grass, it seems very early to be bringing them in, she may well settle once she is not in season and has got full of grass so it is less exciting.
 
To avoid laminitis. The grass is very lush & rich. She was fine coming in at 1. Now I've given her more time, she's taken a mile!
 
Unfortunately it's a mare/season thing - happens to me every year. My mare knows exactly what she's doing and hides behind other horses and the gallops off when I get too close (doesn't behave threateningly though). Only way I can get round it is bring in the other five mares, then she'll trot in happily, and then put rest back out. I'm lucky I'm in a yard where it's not a problem to do this,although extremely annoying. After couple of day when she comes out of season she becomes normal again and will be a dream to catch. Would def be interested in someone else's solution!!!
 
Well we brought in all the other horses (including her boyfriend Leo) then I left her in he field for about 20 mins, hoping to teach her a lesson. When I reappeared she followed me to the gate then stopped about two metres away. I turned away, making sure she made the last step towards me. Then took her in.
 
tanyajade said:
Anyone else know what's going on?
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Yes, in her mind, staying on the sweet grass with her friends is the sensible thing to do. She doesn't agree with your management. :)
If she's usually a well behaved mare, cut her a bit of slack and persist in catching her without increasing her defiant stance. It's an investment in time and patience. The behaviour will pass.
 
My little mare does this when she comes into season when the grass is coming through, I usually either bribe her (treats or a nice sounding packet - empty) or bring her friends in and she then submits. Usually only lasts a few days then she reverts to her usual self
 
You poor souls!

I can't get rid of mine, they race over to the gate as soon as I drive in. It could be they love me (wishful thinking) but more likely the extra strong mints they get for coming.

Only time I've had problems is when a particular pony had a sore back. A visit from the chiropractor and he's a changed pony.
 
The trouble is the grass and being out is more attractive than being in you have to make it nicer to be in and with you and not the current situation. I dont rate or like muzzles but plenty do and yes they restrict the amount a horse can eat as they can only get a little bit of grass through at a time. They are useful for some and can drink and graze small amounts through
 
It's just weird how it's the last two days. She's always caught fine before. Is it possible she's just having an extreme season? She's not particularly mareish when she comes in through, butter wouldn't melt face! But she's soaking the field with her squirting!
 
And how do i make it more attractive? I took treats in, I bring her in, groom her, she's got lots of hay, treat ball, hanging licks, she's spoilt!
 
It needs to be instant reward - find something she loves more than grass and only let her have it after she has been caught. Give it before and you don't have a hold over her ;) go to catch her as if you have all day - to start with it might take 2 hours to catch her...
 
tanyajade said:
And how do i make it more attractive? I took treats in, I bring her in, groom her, she's got lots of hay, treat ball, hanging licks, she's spoilt!
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TBH, if she's getting lots of treats and unsoaked? hay in the stable, is she getting any less sugar then she would from the grass ?
My mares seem to have one season every year when they are impossible and I generally go easy on them while they're feeling grouchy.
Catching a mare that doesn't want to be caught, is really a case of persisting. There isn't any easy, fail proof way, they have to agree to being caught. Just keeping a little pressure on them making them keep on walking, no grazing and steering them away from their friends has worked for me. I also never try to catch the horse if I don't have time to see it through.
 
My mare was a total asshat for the first season of the year and this was definitely in her book of tricks and I'd be wondering about moody mare supplements. Come August all forgotten about until may next year!
 
She might be like your mare then windystacks. Hopefully this is the worst it'll get. A girl had to get her today, enticed her with a scoop of food!
 
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