really need your help

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Ilovemythoroughbred

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Hi, we have just purchased a fab 5yr old mare fantastic allrounder and hopefully next year we will introduce her into eventing . Although i am a bit stuck as myself nor anyone on our yard is to sure what the prob is , when we went to visit her she was the sweetest mare wanting cuddles and very affectionate we went to see her several times and every time was great in and out the stable although now there is a problem , she is a kicker and to be honest dangerous - she spins at you and will lash out ( in the stable / her space ), we have no idea as somedays she is her normal loving self and others very dangerous . She was never on any moody mare supplements and the previous owners are aware as we have told them and they have been very helpful in targeting the problem . she has been with us 4weeks now , before we thought it was the yard as she maybe was still nervous as it is a lot more lively than her last one but to be honest we are stuck. so my question really is , how do i target the kicking? and does this sound like she feels threatened / scared, aggressive , moody mare or stubborn? many thanks - I am truly stuck
also she is up to date with teeth , back etc
 
From a description on the internet no-one could say why she's doing this, someone experienced needs to see her in action and offer a solution working with you both.

Just a couple of suggestions though: other than moving yards how has her management changed with regard to turnout and feed? Is her stable the same as it was or is she now overlooked where she was closed in or vice versa?
 
What type of stable is she in? some horses, particularly mares, do not like the cage stables in a barn where they are being looked at all the time and can feel threatened.
 
She's young and it does sound like she's a bit overwhelmed by her new surroundings and way of life.
Give her time, the sensitive one's take longer don't they ?
Help her by keeping to a routine so she can anticipate what comes next in the day and keep low key when handling her so her anxiety isn't increased. Keeping her busy, if she has a strong work ethic, may also help.
 
Impossible to say tbh.

I'd be inclined to keep a diary and capture turn out time, ridden work, feeding and anything else that fluctuates to keep progress on behaviour under saddle and in the stable. See if you can spot any obvious patterns.

I'd make sure I was feeding her in a similar manner to previous owners, including hard feed and forage

I'd also be tempted to try her in a different stable if you have that oppertunity, it can make a real difference to some.

Up until recently I've never had an issue with moving a horse to a new home, they have always settled in immediately. Last year I loaned a mare (experienced horse that was used to staying away at shows etc) and it probably took me a good 3 months to get her management right so that she was truely settled. She wasn't agressive, but she was anxious/unsettled which manifested itself in a couple of different ways.
 
dogatemysalad said:
She's young and it does sound like she's a bit overwhelmed by her new surroundings and way of life.
Give her time, the sensitive one's take longer don't they ?
Help her by keeping to a routine so she can anticipate what comes next in the day and keep low key when handling her so her anxiety isn't increased. Keeping her busy, if she has a strong work ethic, may also help.
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thank you so much for your replies , yes i think it really is giving her time and letting her get used to everything , I think i need to understand truly myself although i always tell myself it she's young and i should give her time . She is actually in a very big stable its brick built and she does love her space , but she isnt too keen on her next door neighbour , she gets the same amount of feed and but only has the one net at night as she is out in the day from about 9 - 3 before she would go out for 2hrs or so and then have a morn and eve net . she does love the t/o - i reckon i'll play it by ear and then try a few different things . thanks all :)
 
yes , thank you so much for all the replies i'll take it all on board , i thought myself she was just unsettled and worried and a bit anxious i now feel alot better with it . We will take it slowly and give her all the time she needs . many thanks :)
 
One net of hay to last her from 3pm to 9 am is not very much even if the net is large it will be unlikely to be sufficient, I would try giving her more hay as it could just be that she is stressed and hungry, if she does not like her neighbour that could also be contributing to her stressy behaviour, is there any possibility of moving stables or putting something to block her view.
 
Yes i'll keep her morning and night feed then and give her extra food , she gets a bit stroppy over food ( bit like me ) but that is probs bcos she is stressy and hungry okay good i'll do that and probs can move stables i can find out tonight , thanks so much
 
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