Lead mare too bossy in field

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Hi, we have 3 horses at home and the herd has changed recently leaving our 4 year old shire mare as lead mare. She has always been well mannered in the stable and in hand, moves away when asked and respects your space. However in the field she is becoming too handy with her back end both with other horses and humans. We are careful when turning her out as she whips round and kicks out when released. We handle her carefully, turn her head to the gate and release her slowly and she is "getting" the routine of this. However if we are poo picking or getting one of the other horses out she will amble over to pester you and if we push her away she is kicking/ bucking and generally tantruming. She has on one occasion kicked out at another horse when he came too close on a hack.
She now makes me nervous of catching other horses because she spooks them sometimes when you're trying to catch them, they are rushing to get out of her way and I'm wary of getting in the middle of a fight.
Any thoughts - only suggestions we've had so far is to keep her on individual turnout but I'd only do that as last resort as I feel it won't mend the problem, just mask it!
 
amymay said:
Pop another horse in. Three is usually a difficult number.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree 3 is a tricky number but I haven't got another horse and am reluctant to take on any more at the moment. Maybe individual turnout is the only answer?
 
Sounds like your mare isn't a lead, but a dominant who is having to take on the role of lead. This is increasing the dominant behavior, as not being a natural lead is causing her some confusion.
What is worrying is that she thinks she is lead over you, so, you need to up your leadership skills so that when you are a about, there is no mistaking your position.
Getting another horse may help, unless it is less dominant or passive.
 
Pale Rider- I think you've hit the nail straight on the head! My herd has changed in the last couple of years and she has become the lead by default. I don't think it is her choice and it is a position that stresses her out. We've had her since a foal and have been very strict in installing a good base of manners and acceptable behaviour. We had a brood mare that was fantastic in keeping her in line just by glaring at her however the herd has changed and now she finds herself at the top. I have recently got a new gelding who I hoped may take the lead, unfortunately he hasn't stepped up to the mark and I don't want to take on any other horses in the hope one MAY become dominant.

How would you suggest we command more respect in the field? She is fantastic in all other areas. She is a horse that likes attention and always comes over to us in the field to have a nose at what we're doing and she likes a good scratch. I've advised my husband (she's his horse) to ignore her in the field and not give her any positive reason to pester us but how do we deal with the flailing hooves when she is sent away? She does go away but not without a buck and a tantrum and at 18 hands this is bloody scary
 
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