Moody mare when NOT in season.

[Jennyharvey]

Just asking about this for a client. Her mare has issues being rugged, and even when a stable mate is being rugged next door. She will kick the walls, grab at the stable bars and feed bucket, and and acts like she will bite out, but she only ever seems to do it towards objects and the rug, not the owner, tho you could get bit or kicked if u got in the way. She has been mildly like this since she was 3 and started to be rugged, but its gotten this bad over the years. She is now 9. She is a competition mare competing at 1.20 and 1.30 so she does get clipped and rugged, otherwise i would suggest just not to rug her.
But when she is in season, she doesnt do it. The behavior is still there, but very midly and will stand fine to be rugged. Her attitude and behaviour seems very relaxed and laid back. She does baffle me. im still not sure if its a behavioural thing i can sort with training, or if its more hormanal. If anyone has any experience of anything like this, any advice would be really appreciated.

Ps i have assesed her behaviour and she isnt at all aggressive or bargy with people in any other handling situation that ive tried so far, except when being rugged and mildy when being tacked up.

 

[mynutmeg]

Can't help much with the rug thing but since my girl started showing her seasons this summer (following having a foally - she knows what it's all about now ) I've noticed she is much calmer and less grumpy to other horses while in season and she's more spooky and is grumpier towards other horses while out of season

 

[fuzzle]

Wow been here hun, i thought my mare was a moody mare doing much the same, biting me and became worse, when i got her she was so sweet so i put it down to seasons even had her on regumate which made no difference, i did however get to the bottom of it after having scans on ovaries etc she ended up having ulcers!! been a nightmare but hey i got my girl back after treatment she is so sweet now, just check that this behaviour is not a pain one thats all im saying, my horse kicked bite and agressive towards me and other horses, so may not be a mare thing!! xxx

 

[catembi]

My gelding used to bite & kick when rugged/unrugged to the point where I really didn't like doing it, & was also a PITA to shoe. He turned out to have ulcers, which have now gone, & is now a lot better to rug & fine to shoe.

T x