BrightOrbit
Active Member
Hi All 
I've owned my beautiful little mare for nearly 8 years now and although at times she can be a bit cheeky she is always safe
Ive moved her to some grazing about 3 weeks ago and shes been fine, when grooming, feeding , riding etc.
But on Saturday i went up to ride , brought her in and tied her up as usual she seemed a bit shifty but nothing too unusual, began brushing..
Then out of nowhere she sort of spooked reared up (not fully) and started trying yank herself free (nearly taking the post with her)
I managed to calm her down and walked her round for a little while but every little thing made her spook or jump and she was really puffing and sniffing everything. I tied her back up again she was fine for minutes then did it again.
At this point i decided it would be better to calm her down and not ride.
Once back out in the field she seemed fine.
Sunday i bought her out of the field (to get to the grooming area we have to walk through our riding paddock) as soon as we get to the riding paddock gate near the grooming area she starts to back off, puff and sniff.
Eventually with a little encouragement she went, grooming she was ok but still very twitchy at everything.
So i decided to ride, she was ok but was almost impossible to get her up the top end of the paddock and she was spooking at any slightest noise (we're situated right next to a busy road) she also bolted with me a few times.
I don't think she's in any pain as she doesn't seem to mind being touched anywhere and had a vet check not that long ago (my uncles a vet) but i will get him to come down to double check, her saddles the same as its always been but i do have a new bridle (same bit)
I'm wondering if she may be in season as the young geldings taken a lot of interest in her lately but in the whole 8 years shes never been this strange?
We did have a problem with the gate padlock keep 'magically' opening so i wondered if someones been in and scared her?
I'm trying to move her at the moment anyway as i don't feel she's secure where she is but i am really concerned about this behavior its so unlike her?
Sorry for the essay! any suggestions or opinions appreciated!
I've owned my beautiful little mare for nearly 8 years now and although at times she can be a bit cheeky she is always safe
Ive moved her to some grazing about 3 weeks ago and shes been fine, when grooming, feeding , riding etc.
But on Saturday i went up to ride , brought her in and tied her up as usual she seemed a bit shifty but nothing too unusual, began brushing..
Then out of nowhere she sort of spooked reared up (not fully) and started trying yank herself free (nearly taking the post with her)
I managed to calm her down and walked her round for a little while but every little thing made her spook or jump and she was really puffing and sniffing everything. I tied her back up again she was fine for minutes then did it again.
At this point i decided it would be better to calm her down and not ride.
Once back out in the field she seemed fine.
Sunday i bought her out of the field (to get to the grooming area we have to walk through our riding paddock) as soon as we get to the riding paddock gate near the grooming area she starts to back off, puff and sniff.
Eventually with a little encouragement she went, grooming she was ok but still very twitchy at everything.
So i decided to ride, she was ok but was almost impossible to get her up the top end of the paddock and she was spooking at any slightest noise (we're situated right next to a busy road) she also bolted with me a few times.
I don't think she's in any pain as she doesn't seem to mind being touched anywhere and had a vet check not that long ago (my uncles a vet) but i will get him to come down to double check, her saddles the same as its always been but i do have a new bridle (same bit)
I'm wondering if she may be in season as the young geldings taken a lot of interest in her lately but in the whole 8 years shes never been this strange?
We did have a problem with the gate padlock keep 'magically' opening so i wondered if someones been in and scared her?
I'm trying to move her at the moment anyway as i don't feel she's secure where she is but i am really concerned about this behavior its so unlike her?
Sorry for the essay! any suggestions or opinions appreciated!
Last edited:
