Mare rant

[Horsegirl25]

Is anyone else's mare the spawn of the devil recently?!
My girl is normally super sweet lovely to ride but the past few mornings she has spent the first 10 minutes on her back legs......
She is in season currently and she is feeling it, this is the worst she has been! She kicked my gelding on Sunday, being a b*tch to catch (had to herd her down to the gate the other morning to even get close to her), spooking at the mounting block she always does this for some reason but since she's came into season from about E in the arena she is napping and rearing constantly not wanting to go down the school....
She is eventing next weekend so I am hoping her season is over by then as rearing is definitely not a move in our test.......
Luckily she is still very sweet on the ground (just not in the field as once she's got her headcollar off best believe she won't be coming back up to you)
Thank goodness my other horse (gelding) is sweet and reliable lol, bloody mares..

 

[meleeka]

My oldie has been awful! Thankfully she seems to be calming down now, but the poor Shetlands have gone through it this last week, particularly the food obsessed one who she doesn't love at the best of times. I did tell him that he'd get it back with interest when he was trying to bully his way into her food the other week. The other is well used to her and manages to keep on her good side and out of her way when needed. She wouldn't dream of being a witch round me though so that's something, although I've had to remind her I'm there when she's span round and backed up to the Shetland!

My OH says I love her because she's the equine version of me

 

[catembi]

My Dartmoor is being trying atm. She is ‘ encouraging ’ my ancient ex racer who is a bit of a ladies’ man and then kicking him when he approaches her. Errm, maybe stop behaving like a tart and then he might leave you alone…?

 

[Horsegirl25]

Lol that makes me feel better that it's not just mine in full cow mode at the moment! I vowed to never get another mare but here I am with another mare regretting life choices

 

[Equi]

This is why I’ve never had a ridden mare. I just simply couldn’t be bothered with that. My little mares don’t really change much but they are in a settled herd and the boys don’t bother with them. The youngest mare is still a bit flighty and a bit more bold but nothing too annoying. If she was ridden size though she would be a bloomin nightmare lol

 

[Hallo2012]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand this is why i only have stallions!!!!

none of this mood swing nonsense the are the same degree of stupid EVERY day lol

 

[The Xmas Furry]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand this is why i only have stallions!!!!

none of this mood swing nonsense the are the same degree of stupid EVERY day lol

I agree!
As I've downgraded myself in comps due to ageing, I've got mares instead as I can't take a stallion to rc stuff

A good mare is a delight to work with tho

TFF, happy with her lot....

 

[maya2008]

9 mares here all being their usual selves. No geldings around though, so maybe that makes a difference?

 

[scats]

I must have been exceptionally lucky with my many (many) mares over the years. I’ve never really had a problem with any of them. Polly gets a bit slutty if she meets a new gelding but that’s about it.

 

[meleeka]

Mine isn't usually hormonal, she's just stroppy with the others all the time

 

[Skib]

Mine wasnt a devil or dangerous this week but she did take charge of the ride. She got out of her box and had had the run of the yard overnight. I am myself confused, as she is normally turned out over night. Her hay net was barely touched when I reached the yard mid morning.
Half way through my planned hack she napped which is an old trick of hers. And my poor decision perhaps, I decided it wasnt worth an argument and I let her turn for home on her chosen route.
It is a track that I havent ridden for years but it is a nice route and I enjoyed rediscovering it.
She went quite fast but she accepted every aid for a downward transition and halted well clear of the road crossing near home.
But I am not used to feeling out of control on a ride and reached home unhappy.
Have asked for an escort next week. And may be an explanation.

 

[Cloball]

Mine had a funny week a fortnight ago when she was in season and decided the school was terrifying and the world was out to get her she's been sweet as pie since

 

[MuddyMonster]

My farrier frequently tells me my gelding is more mare-ish than any of the actual mare's

He just likes what he likes and won't be 'told' or forced and can take great offense if someone tries. I think he's pretty straightforward and geniune though, so ..

 

[Horsegirl25]

9 mares here all being their usual selves. No geldings around though, so maybe that makes a difference?

You are lucky! She isn't actually interested in my gelding, more interested in the other mares over the fence lol

 

[Horsegirl25]

Mine wasnt a devil or dangerous this week but she did take charge of the ride. She got out of her box and had had the run of the yard overnight. I am myself confused, as she is normally turned out over night. Her hay net was barely touched when I reached the yard mid morning.
Half way through my planned hack she napped which is an old trick of hers. And my poor decision perhaps, I decided it wasnt worth an argument and I let her turn for home on her chosen route.
It is a track that I havent ridden for years but it is a nice route and I enjoyed rediscovering it.
She went quite fast but she accepted every aid for a downward transition and halted well clear of the road crossing near home.

Sometimes the fight is just not worth it lol. I almost feel like with mares or mine anyway there is no reasoning if they are set to not do something they won't where as my gelding will just give up after a while and do what he is told

 

[FlorrieBrown]

I tend to give my mare couple of days off when she comes into season. I'm not a ride-every-day rider anyhow, due to my other commitments, so it's not an issue. She was very hormonal earlier in the season, but has calmed down significantly now. Having said that, there have been a few days when I could not get anywhere near her when turned out. As for the rearing, I think that might be something you need to address if it's out of character.

 

[tda]

My older mares are all in together and I have been hearing quite a bit of squealing recently. It seems to be one main suspect who is never obviously in season, but if one of the others touches her atm that was not instigated by her ears go back and a little squeal

 

[Zoeypxo]

No mine has been her normal perfect self

 

[Horsegirl25]

I tend to give my mare couple of days off when she comes into season. I'm not a ride-every-day rider anyhow, due to my other commitments, so it's not an issue. She was very hormonal earlier in the season, but has calmed down significantly now. Having said that, there have been a few days when I could not get anywhere near her when turned out. As for the rearing, I think that might be something you need to address if it's out of character.

I agree, rearing is awful behaviour. I am giving her the benefit of the dout at this moment in time as she has only done it twice now and today was a lot less than the other day so I am thinking it is just a season thing.. We shall see..

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My friend that competes her mares all summer are on regumate and they are so much better.

 

[Peglo]

Fortunately for me Tali is just the biggest flirt and too busy with that to be stroppy but I also wouldn’t ask much of her for the first few days. They can get sore apparently.

I love mares. Grumpy men is something I can’t deal with, horse or human

 

[Alibear]

Yep, just like us, some seasons can be more uncomfortable than others, so I tend to just play it by ear. I'm lucky that Amber is usually fine riding wise but this spring, she had a time when she lost the plot when any of the others came in without her. She could come in and leave them just fine, but she field walked and threw shapes if the others came in. I spoke to the vet, and it's on her notes that I can pick up some regumate should it happen again. I tried her on a few mare supplements but saw no difference. I tend to find that the first or last seasons each year cause the most grief.

 

[SEL]

My little mare - usually a saint - went for the gelding this morning! Poor lad took himself off to the other end of the field.

Weather change?

 

[dottylottie]

not sure if her season can be blamed, she’s actually just a stress head this was sunday just gone - she’s never done this before

 

[Skib]

I almost feel like with mares or mine anyway there is no reasoning

The yard say that. They say she naps. My experience of riding her is that she only naps when she is too hot. Or too tired, or both. She is an Irish horse, built to go out in the wet and the wind. In August sometimes I hack her almost entirely in walk with OH walking alongside.

I believe that mares think - they need a longish rein to look about and check what is going on and a hack for them is like reading a book, they are inquisitive and enjoy it. May be similar to elephant matriarchs who used to lead the herd to distant almost forgotten water holes.

So as a rider of these mares, my job is to have a conversation with them.

 

[HorseMaid]

The only time my mare has been a real pain is when we had a gelding in the herd! She's naturally a bit flighty, neurotic, opinionated etc and can be a bit of a cow but with a boy in the mix she was AWFUL! The rest of the time I love her quirkiness and absolute zest for life

 

[Horsegirl25]

not sure if her season can be blamed, she’s actually just a stress head this was sunday just gone - she’s never done this before

is your girl a welsh?? She is super cute

 

[Horsegirl25]

The yard say that. They say she naps. My experience of riding her is that she only naps when she is too hot. Or too tired, or both. She is an Irish horse, built to go out in the wet and the wind. In August sometimes I hack her almost entirely in walk with OH walking alongside.

I believe that mares think - they need a longish rein to look about and check what is going on and a hack for them is like reading a book, they are inquisitive and enjoy it. May be similar to elephant matriarchs who used to lead the herd to distant almost forgotten water holes.

So as a rider of these mares, my job is to have a conversation with them.

I like that way of thinking actually, a conversation rather than telling them. I am going to try have more of that mind set

 

[dottylottie]

is your girl a welsh?? She is super cute

what gave it away? yes she’s a sec D, thankfully she’s rarely your “typical” welsh! thankyou

 

[Horsegirl25]

what gave it away? yes she’s a sec D, thankfully she’s rarely your “typical” welsh! thankyou

Love a Welsh D, my gelding is a welshy! Super reliable, I hadn't ever ridden never mind owned a welsh before getting my gelding but absolutely love them!! 100% my favourite breed I must admit.
Although I do think my boy might be your 'typical welsh' as I had gotten in touch with his breaker when I was having some bother with him, who told me he was unbreakable and dangerous and he had to send him back to his owners at the time unbroken!! I must say he has matured since then and is now very safe and reliable