Mare gets aggressive in winter

[arhaveman]

My mare, a 15 year old Percheron, is the sweetest girl ever. But in the Winter, she gets very aggressive and will try to bite, kick, and chase me. My going theory is that she has arthritis. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and maybe has a clue as to why she would act out when it’s cold? I just want her to be happy.

 

[w1bbler]

So many possibilities, change of diet causing gut issues, does she get different grazing, stabled at night etc.
Change of workload causing musclo/skeletal issues _ maybe you mainly ride weekends in winter, but ride several times a week in summer but expect her to be up to the same level.
Could be ovary issues
It's impossible to even start diagnosing over thr Internet. You need to speak to your vet if your horse is becoming aggressive, but think about what changes for her in winter.

 

[AmyMay]

Is she hungry?

 

[arhaveman]

Is she hungry?

She has access to hay 24/7

 

[arhaveman]

So many possibilities, change of diet causing gut issues, does she get different grazing, stabled at night etc.
Change of workload causing musclo/skeletal issues _ maybe you mainly ride weekends in winter, but ride several times a week in summer but expect her to be up to the same level.
Could be ovary issues
It's impossible to even start diagnosing over thr Internet. You need to speak to your vet if your horse is becoming aggressive, but think about what changes for her in winter.

Her diet remains the same except for there’s no grass in the winter. I ride her the same amount year round. She’s never stabled as she HATES the barn.

 

[arhaveman]

I can’t think of any major changes between summer and winter for her. Besides temperature (it gets down to -30° C where we live) I wondered at first if I was over blanketing her but she seems happier with a blanket on and actually gets excited to wear it. I have had the vet out to see her and they weren’t able to diagnose arthritis without an X-ray which I didn’t end up doing. I have her on joint supplements which did seem to help last year as she wasn’t as grumpy but this year she’s acting out again. There honestly isn’t much grass in her paddock even in the summer because the previous owners of the barn I’m at neglected the pasture and it’s completely mud now so her diet is hay pretty much year round (which I’m in charge of putting out so it’s always topped up) She gets farrier and chiropractic regularly. I definitely am going to speak with my vet. I just figured I’d ask for peoples thoughts.

Her diet remains the same except for there’s no grass in the winter. I ride her the same amount year round. She’s never stabled as she HATES the barn.

 

[Blanche]

Have you spoken to a vet about this change in her?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If you think she has arthritis, you need a vet to check her and at the very least prescribe bute to alleviate her pain.

 

[arhaveman]

Have you spoken to a vet about this change in her?

I had my vet out to check for arthritis and was told it’s likely that she has it but they couldn’t pinpoint where specifically to do X-rays so I didn’t end up doing them. They recommended supplements which did help her last year so I thought we were over this issue but this year she’s acting out again.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I had my vet out to check for arthritis and was told it’s likely that she has it but they couldn’t pinpoint where specifically to do X-rays so I didn’t end up doing them. They recommended supplements which did help her last year so I thought we were over this issue but this year she’s acting out again.

Maybe do a bute trial

 

[Wizpop]

Try Bosmerix ( from vet). Has been a real game changer for both my own and friend’s generally arthritic horse.

 

[Odin's mum]

As she is a draught horse, happier kept warm and rugged, and only has hay so may lack vitamin E, would it be worth doing a PSSM1 hair test?

 

[ycbm]

Try Bosmerix ( from vet). Has been a real game changer for both my own and friend’s generally arthritic horse.

Boswellia powder doesn't need a vet and is much cheaper, also works, though mine can't take it, sadly.
.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Could it be her hormones? A mare at our yard has become the devil in her stable but fine outside, she changed as soon as she started being stabled as was previously out 24/7… the vet said it could be her hormones and has run some bloods. Not sure of the results yet. Just a thought as she becomes very territorial of her stable when she’s in it

 

[arhaveman]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I haven’t been able to check them for a little bit. I’m definitely looking into everything everyone has suggested and I have the vet coming out to do some blood work.