Loving thing or a BAD habit???

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xmonax

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My mare has always had a thing for biting and kicking when I tack her up, rug up, dismount, remount etc. could this be her trying to be the lead mare towards me/boss or is it just bad manners? It is only when I do all the above, not when my sisters or mum do?! :confused:

Please we do tell her off and have done for 2 years so far of owning her, it is her habit/vice which we cannot change!

Maryland cookie for reading that! :D I have eaten half a packet already!!! ;)
xx
 
it sounds as if she is trying to be dominant, everytime she tries to bite etc, push her away with a firm NO (be damn quick tho and make sure she does go back) i tend to turn my back on them as well. Horses are herd animals as you know so this movement of back and turning the back is the same as being cast out of the herd, which no animal wants.
Then go back to her when you are ready, it will be a repetitive process but it will sink in eventually. Be confident around her, talk to her lots, laugh at her and generally be larger than life around her. xxxxxxx
 
Dancing Queen said:
it sounds as if she is trying to be dominant, everytime she tries to bite etc, push her away with a firm NO (be damn quick tho and make sure she does go back) i tend to turn my back on them as well. Horses are herd animals as you know so this movement of back and turning the back is the same as being cast out of the herd, which no animal wants.
Then go back to her when you are ready, it will be a repetitive process but it will sink in eventually. Be confident around her, talk to her lots, laugh at her and generally be larger than life around her. xxxxxxx
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thank you, that sounds great, will give it a go xxxx
 
Might be worth observing how the others behave around her compared to you. My mare has always been a bit grumpy with me when I go into her stable grinding her teeth & snaking her neck but I started to wonder whether it was something I was doing. Basically I've always been quite no nonsense with her and I've found that if I spend a little bit of time just talking to her and stroking her all over her head before I go in then she is much friendlier so think I was just a bit brisk with her. Having said that when I do go in I do make sure she steps back and gives me room to come in so she still knows I am the leader so maybe doing things like this will help with your mare.
 
Definitely BAD habit. I've been looking after Mini TX's mare the past few days while she enjoys her social life. She is a dominant, if very loving mare. I get lunged at over the stable door, get ears back and cow kicked when changing rugs, snaking neck and teeth etc, but I dont let her get to me. She just gets a very firm 'NO', coupled with a waggling finger. It usually sends her to the back of her stable for a minute or so and then if I am still around, she then snuggles up to me, licking and chewing and wanting a fuss! Dont let her get to you, just be firm but kind.

I have to be honest, I have always had a gelding and much as I love this mare, my god is she high maintenance. I had to spend so much tine with her today, my lad gave me such a look as if to say 'Well, what about me?' He was right, bless him.
 
the licking and chewing is usually a sign of im sorry, didnt mean it, forgive me. submission if you like. at which point i allow their head to come closed to my chest and give them a rub between the eyes and all is forgiven xxxxx
 
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