mad mare!

[plough0_0]

I'VE TAKEN ON A RETIRED RACEHORSE WHO WAS IN A VERY BAD WAY (RAIN SCALD MUD FEVEF STARVED ) SHE IS NORMALLY A REAL POPPET , KIND FRIENDLY , NOT NASTY IN ANY WAY . BUT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS SHE HAS HAD TWO HISSY FITS WHERE SHE TOTALLY LOST THE PLOT , FIRST ONE SHE WAS TIED ON THE YARD , HAD BEEN GROOMED AND WAS ALMOST ASLEEP WHEN TWO HORSES WERE TAKEN OFF THE YARD TO GO TO THE FIELD (OTHERS WERE STILL THERE) SHE STARTED REARING BROKE TWO ROPES , REARED IN HAND AND WHEN RETIED , WE COULD ONLY STOP HER BY WALKING HER FORWARD.
NEXT TIME WAS YESTERDAY , I WAS JUST GOING DOWN TO THE SCHOOL WHEN TWO BOXES RETURNED SHE GOT VERY UPSET/EXCITED SO YO OFFERED TO GET ON HER(HES MUCH MORE ATHLETIC THAN ME) SHE WENT BONKERS BUCKED HIM OFF WHICH APPARENTLY IS ALMOST UNHEARED OF THEN STARTED REARING UNTIL SHE WENT OVER ON HIM(HAVENT SEEN HIM TODAY BUT I THINK THE BEER I PLIED HIM WITH AFTERWARDS HELPED THE PAIN) . I HAVE RIDDEN HER IN THE SCHOOL AND WALKED HER OUT WITHOUT ANY PROBS .
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS IF YOU LOT THINK SHE IS JUST BEING A COW , FEELING VERY WELL FINALLY , OR IS IT ALL SEASON RELATED AND IF SO WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND TO TRY AND CALM HER DOWN , I HAVENT HAD A MARE FOR 25 YEARS AND SHE WAS VERY STRAIGHT FORWARD
ANY ADVISE APPRECIATED AS I THINK THIS GIRLY DESERVES A CHANCE

 

[Natalie_H]

May not help - but when I got my ex-racer (gelding) he was very underweight. For the first 2 months he was very quiet and un-assuming. Very sweet & docile - then he turned into a horror. Trying to bite & kick when being groomed. Bit me on both arms - both in situations involving food & another horse - bit my Mum twice (we are both scarred) and was very aggressive to other horses. This happened in the space of about 3-4 months. I was going to get rid of him becasue he was so hostile & aggressive. However, persevered with a firm, calm attitude & gradually we started to bond, and he is a sweetie now. He hasn't bitten in 3 years. I can't give a good reason for the change, but he didn't have the best start in life. He was 4-y-o when I got him. How long have you had her?

 

[plough0_0]

SHE HAS BEEN MINE FOR 3 WEEKS BUT I WAS HELPING THE GIRL WHO BROUGHT HER TO THE YARD BEFORE THAT (BEEN ON THE YARD 5 WEEKS ) SHE IS NOW UNRECOGNISABLE FROM THE POOR THING THAT TURNED UP , SHE NOW GLOWS BUT I HAVE ONLY BEEN FEEDING HER FALCON MANGER MIX SOYA OIL AND SUPPLIMENTS ALTHOUGH THE GRASS IS GOOD FRUSTRATING ISNT IT . 0H SHE IS 6 AND BEEN OUT OF RACING NEARLY A YEAR

 

[Natalie_H]

A farrier once said to me that when horses in horribly poor condition get "rescued" as it were - then get well fed & cared for in a new home, they often go on the turn like this. Whether there is any truth in it I don't know. What I do know is that my horse's behaviour co-incided with him feeling well again. This may be the same for you, as the time spans are quite similar. It took a long time for my gelding to start to trust me as he had obviously had some bad experiences with people in the past. Maybe your mare is going through the same thing. If so, it requires a lot of patience & experience to sort out, but you will get there - some horses need more time than others in my experience. Good luck x.

 

[SpruceRI]

I sold a New Forest pony 3yr old last year who was quiet and angelic but her new owner reported her having a couple of 'eppys' when tied on the yard. Went to visit and for no apparent reason while we were grooming her she had another panic attack. Pulled back, threw her head in the air, thrashed about and almost fell over etc.

We deduced that in the 2 weeks since I'd sold her she probably come into her first season, and that added to the new home and on a yard when she'd only been field kept before was freaking her out. The new owner took things slowly and although I gather she was flirty all summer, she only had another couple of panics and then was OK.

 

[Rueysmum]

I think you may find that it is a panic/insecurity thing. Until they become used to a new way of life many ex-racehorses are accustomed to doing things in a group or pair situation. When the two horses on the yard were taken away your horse probably thought they were leaving her behind, even though there were others left on the yard. Similarly with the lorries coming and going it sounds like she couldn't cope.

It can take them an awfully long time to settle. My ex-racehorse I have had since he was three (he's now 18). He used to turn himself inside out when trailers or lorries came into the yard and if the horse(s) that he had in his own mind latched onto were taken away etc. He used to weave at a hundred miles an hour, rear etc. He even went over backwards with me once in the very early days. I was riding him in the school and all that had happened was that a girl came past leading 3 horses. It totally freaked him.

Once your horse is in an established routine and feeling more secure she will be much better. Some ex-race horses are easier than others, but it sounds as if you have got yourself quite a sensitive one (as did I!)