my 4 year old mare is horrendous around other horses, ideas?

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jaysh

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She lives in a herd of 8 which she has been in since birth and is fine with them all, she isnt at the top of the pecking order, but not at the bottom either. She is a wonderful horse, loving, kind and does what you ask BUT she hates other horses.
I really want to be able to take her out and compete her but she is quite dangerous, the other horses dont even have to be in kicking distance of her, she will launch herself across to them, and leaps in the air before trying to double barrel them.

I have taken her to a couple of low key events which are held at my mothers place, with very few horses to try and get her used to others, but if they come to close to her she gets so aggressive.
Today i took her to a local low key inhand show, made sure everyone around us knew to keep away from her and she did manage to get through it without causing mayhem, apart from then she tried to attack my mothers horse (and she hacks out with him regularly, although never side by side!) and he was no where near her at the time!

Its a shame as she has real potential, but dont know what to do to try and stop her.

Anyone have any other ideas how to deal with it?
 
Poor you - it sounds a nightmare situation....it does seem odd that she is happy in her 'herd', but turns on other horses, almost an 'insecurity' type behaviour that is being manifested in agression?

The only thing I can think of is to speak to your vet as it may be hormone related.

Good luck and hope you find a solution.
 
My daughters mare who now 16 has been just like this since she was a yearling. She is great with humans and never nasty but she is so aggressive with other horses and like you describe will launch herself in the field or when ridden across to attack other horses- for no reason. She has always been the alpha female in our little herd group of 6 and since being a yearling she has chased others off hay and food in the field. When she has been to shows she has had a red ribbon in her tail and we have been careful to keep her away from other horses but it has meant that when she was on loan to a girl who competed with her that she couldn't take her hunting - she was just too horrendous. The family who had her on loan tried NAF Oestress which they said helped. I think asking your vet is a really good idea. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the replies, will look into hormone issues. she comes into season heavily, she never really went anywhere as a youngster so its only now that i realise there is a problem with other horses.
Today i took her to trec training at my mothers, there were 5 others on lesson and all was going well until another horse nearly ran into my mothers horse, who in turn ran backwards towards mine, who leapt in the air, realised there was a fence, reared up to swing around and i lost my balance and we came over backwards :( luckily she didnt land on me, but it was bloody close when i was on the floor and could see her coming down. I've got a very sore neck now but otherwise ok. Got back on and carried on with training, which she did well, but its such a worry making sure no one is anywhere near her.
 
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