Mare behaviour changes - advice please?

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d2009

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My mare who is usually very sweet, calm, never spooks and is no different when in season has started doing the below. I have had her nearly two years and this is totally out of character. Any ideas? I had some blood tests done which have come back fine.

- Grumpy, pinning ears back at people and other horses
- Grumpy when riding alongside other horses, trying to bite and kick them when I'm riding
- Grumpy when being groomed
- Become very forward and spooky to ride

Her appetite is excellent, she has no weight loss, her coat is shining and she looks healthy in general.

Any advice appreciated thanks x
 
Could be anything! What checks have you had done? Have you had her eyes checked? A horse at our yard started being difficult on the ground and she turned out to have a cataract - she was reacting to the fact that she couldn't see people, so it came as a shock when they touched her. But it could be a hundred other reasons.
 
What does the vet think of to try next ? it depends what blood tests were run as theres loads of them, you need to find out and discuss with vet the next step forward, the fact shes grumpy and not happy in grooming or riding id look at ruling out ulcers
 
She has been like this 3-4 weeks. I mentioned ulcers to vet but she is only showing a few symptoms, her appetite and droppings are fine.
 
d2009 said:
She has been like this 3-4 weeks. I mentioned ulcers to vet but she is only showing a few symptoms, her appetite and droppings are fine.
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Just to say, my gelding was girthy and tense when tacked up but otherwise healthy, good weight, shiny coat.....scoped him and he had grade 2 and 3 ulcers. definately worth checking out. In hindsight wish I had checked sooner but thought that as he no other symptons it was too unlikely.
 
Cowpony said:
Could be anything! What checks have you had done? Have you had her eyes checked? A horse at our yard started being difficult on the ground and she turned out to have a cataract - she was reacting to the fact that she couldn't see people, so it came as a shock when they touched her. But it could be a hundred other reasons.
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Yes vet checked her eyes which seemed fine. Just had bloods done so far.
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Just to say, my gelding was girthy and tense when tacked up but otherwise healthy, good weight, shiny coat.....scoped him and he had grade 2 and 3 ulcers. definately worth checking out. In hindsight wish I had checked sooner but thought that as he no other symptons it was too unlikely.
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Agree with this. I have known horses totally symptom free and only sign was grumpiness.
 
Ditto, I had a mare like this, now sorted & much happier about being touched. Very like yours re grumpy, not enjoying being tacked up, touched or groomed etc. As a start make sure she always has something in her tum, especially before grooming/tacking up/working so there isn't loads of acid sloshing about causing pain (which may be causing her attitude when ridden).
 
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