My horse really doesn't like me

G

Germolene

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 May 2012
Messages
87
Location
Urmston, Mancheater
Visit site
I bought my mare approximately 5 months ago....she was very underweight and neglected and I've really give her my all, she's no longer skin and bones, doesn't have extremely overgrown hooves, nor sharp teeth...I've been really concerned and made sure she has comfortable tack...she basically wants for nothing now. My problem is, she's gone from being a really sweet, laid back loving girl, to one who now is always pulling faces at me, ears in an 'I'm irratated you're here' position when I'm in the stable. She tries to bite me when I walk past with her feed...I always stand my ground and make her wait until I put it down though and she doesn't do anything else apart from have her ears back, so I suppose compared to other horses I've seen stamp their feet and even kick out, this isn't the end if the world. But it's more how her persona has changed and I just get the feeling that she doesn't like me...ok I've only owned her for 5 months and bonding can take longer but it's just how she's changed. She even kicked out when I was lunging her the other day and her hoof literally skimmed past my face...I was sooooo shocked! She was stressing out at that time as the farm had some new baby goats arrive which she was petrified of....but the kicking out she did, she really meant harm and I swear she attempted it a few times afterwards but I was obviously more on the ball then and didn't let her turn her bum in at all. She's never done that before! When free schooling she shakes her head at me and even makes noises at me, and if I don't have a whip on me she even kind of charges at me.

Can anybody advise what I can do on the ground with her to gain some respect. She isn't my first horse, she's actually my 3rd mare too but she's the youngest I've had at 5 and definitely the most nuttiest ha ha.

Sorry for the looooong post! :)
 
Firstly try not to humanise your horse too much, it's a mistake I used to make a lot and tended to lead to me looking way too deeply into things. It's highly unlikely your horse doesn't like you, but it does sound as though she's trying to tell you something. Have you done the usual tack, back and teeth checks to make sure she's not in any pain?

As for the lunging, I had the same issue with H when I first got him. For him it was because he was green and didn't understand what was being asked of him and then once he got the hang of things I only had a few temper tantrums when he was fed up of working. I found perseverance to be the key and to wear a hat if you're not already. Perhaps it's also worth leaving the free schooling for now until she's more responsive to you.

Hopefully someone more experienced will be along shortly to offer more specific advice.
 
I think you should get the vet, she may look healthy now but her being neglected could have left her with something else going on inside
 
Why on earth would you expect a horse to "like" you? You're a human; she's a horse, the most you can hope for is she'll recognise you as the food providing person. One of the silliest expectations to have about any animal is that it'll be "grateful" for your efforts, and I think this is the trap you've fallen into. You say you are "shocked" that she kicked out; why? This is something that fresh youngsters do. Sounds like you have spoiled her a little bit and need to regain some respect, manners and control.
 
How old is she? and how much work had she done before you bought her? If she was very underweight she may have been a bit depressed too, which would give the impression of calmness.
She now sounds fit and healthy and is certainly testing you, first thing I would do is stop the free schooling - she is challenging you and this can become very dangerous. I would concentrate on lots of in-hand work, lots of voice commands - turns - stops - back-up - pole work - etc. This will get her to concentrate on you and look to you as the leader, you could also try clicker training this can be very effective. Regarding feeding , as she was very underweight when you got her this can be linked to her protectiveness when feeding, this will take time to address. You could try one of the clip on over the door feeder buckets they can be very useful.

It will take time, don't rush it but you must address the kicking issue this is a complete no no.
Good Luck and take your time
 
I agree with everything said so far, especially that now she is feeling better, she's more confident and is testing the boundaries. And also about trying to humanise horses-they don't think like us.

I wouldn't take her kicking out on the lunge personally, she's young, feeling good, and probably a bit unbalanced too. My boy is the sweetest horse ever but is a monkey on the lunge, he can kick out, and has caught me before. The first time it happened I was mortified, but I soon realised it was his way of dealing with being excited and unbalanced.

Finally if you've had all the checks done recently (back, teeth, saddle) I'd get the vet out just for a once over. Is she girthy at all? Ulcers might be worth looking into.
 
My riggy gelding is the same....I have had him for over 9 years...he is defensive about his food & space & I have had him from 4yo from a sales where he was underfed. He is good to ride out & bomb-proof so that outweighs his traits. He doesnt mean it personally & he whickers at me in the field.
 
sounds like she is just feeling very well, dont forget 5 months ago the weather was warm and now its pretty cold so maybe cut her feed down, just give chaff and speedibeet(or fast fibre) to keep her condition, and is she on haylage? my mare gets very lively on haylage and she is now on hay together with a small feed of low chaff, fast fibre and formula4feet and is much calmer(although still quite perky and still has her mad moments)...good luck
 
Hi all, thanks for your replies...

She has had the Physio out, because she was struggling to get the right canter lead, she checked her over and said there was no major issues. I had the vet out recently too because one morning she came out of stable hobbling, but she miraculously recovered so the vet thinks she'd either twisted it getting up or lay on it funny. She is completely sound.

Feed wise, I have cut it down over the last couple of days as she really doesn't need a lot and I realised that I was still being concerned with her weight because she was really poor...but I have adjusted my mind set now and she is only on a handful of chop, conditioning cubes and soya oil. We had the spillers lady out not long ago and she got a perfect body condition score, the only thing she said is that we'll have to look at her protein In the spring because I'm obviously doing a bit of work with her.

I think you are right in saying that now she is feeling good and yes she maybe been a little depressed when I got her. She doesn't run away from me in the field though which is a bonus and she does do her welcoming grumble in the morning still.

I also stopped giving her so many treats about a month ago as she was becoming somewhat of a pest and frisking everybody and getting a bit nibbly!! So they have been banned. Lol.

I think I will stop the free schooling, even though tonight she didn't charge at me lol.
 
As others said its always hard with a horse you don't know well. She could just be pushing the boundaries or if you suspect there is a reason then it could be ulcers
 
2 points here really.

1. She feels well, possibly better than she has felt for a long time and perhaps has a bit of excess excitement to go with it. She is young and playful and maybe a bit bolshy when being asked to behaved. Firm discipline and consistency and she will come through it.

2. Mares are effectively 'entire'. We all treat stallions with enormous respect and care, so why not mares. They, like stallions, still have all their hormones in tact and the instincts that go with them. Some mares consider their private space, often their stable, as theirs and not yours and only tolerate you presence in the stable. It doesn't mean they dislike you, merely they consider you are invading their private place. A little as you might feel if someone walked into your bedroom and got into bed next to you!

I owned a mare who was probably dangerous in her stable, she kicked, bit and squashed you against walls but out of her stable she was fine. She was a star to ride, we had a fabulous partnership and did loads of things together. However, if I had wanted to kiss her on the nose I would have ended up loosing half my face, didn't mean she didn't like me, just that she didn't consider it appropriate.

Let her be in the stable, if you want to groom her, tack her up etc just get her out to do it. If she doesnt want to be petted, don't. When you are working her be firm and fair and you will create a partnership of trust and respect that is far more worthwhile than hugs and kisses. Some horses just don't like it.
 
have you thought about adding magnesium just because this time if year the levels drop in the grass and without it horses can become naughty
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top