rising 5yo mare becoming increasingly stroppy

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georgiegirl2

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My situation with twig is not getting any better. Yesterday again we had planting, napping, kicking out and a few rears on my ride round our fields. I had decided to ease off the pressure with her a few weeks and was just pootling along on a loose rein and then all of a sudden she just decides 'i dont want to do this' I'm starting to get to the end of my tether with it as to how to come about a solution? When she does nap i turn her in small circles until she goes forward and it works, and stops her going up although the cow bag was trying to take a chunk out of my leg yesterday when i tried that tactic - she really did have a massive temper tantrum!

I know as a rider I'm not a numpty, Ive ridden over 15 years and competed to what I think is a fairly decent level in the past.

Does anyone have any ideas? Do 'stroppy mare' supplements help or are they a load of rubbish?

The extremely heart breaking thing is that she is exceptionally talented, she has the potential to make a fantastic eventer but until I can get her on side were just constantly hitting a brick wall at the moment
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Saddle, teeth etc are fine. She does still have a baby cap on the corner incisor left to come off but there isnt a fat lot we can do about that except wait but its not anywhere near her bit - shes ridden in a loose ring french link.
 
I'm absolutely no expert and no old hand, but I have had my rising 6 yo since a 3 yo and been through similar problems.

I agree with the suggestion of trying a calmer but I would also recommend going back to ground work because a) it sounds like there is a lack of respect and b) a lack of confidence. I would continue to hack out but in hand. I'd walk your horse miles and include lots of stopping and backing up transitions.

Gain the respect and confidence from your horse before going any further.

Good luck.
 
i had a 5yold (gelding i know)who was fab every stage of the way until xc schooling and had an issue with a fence,it started some pretty unpleasant napping rearing bucking and kicking out!! long story very short i felt he totally lost his confidence,and didnt trust me, was having to looking after himself, and was testing me!! I do feel @ this age they r still so unpredictable and almost like 'teenagers rebelling' i think (my opinion) that most horses go through someting like this at some point in thier education. I made sure i was firm but fair and never gave hime ne reason to rebel just calmly sent em forward (however u can) and then really praised the good things he did!!! you will get to there in the end!!! just is patients, ive often heard people saying talented horses r quite often a little quirky!!!
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I think they so often do go through it - my mare has gone through very awkward periods. At such times I really think they need to be allowed to go back a stage, back to basics, and re-establish confidence. It's all about building bricks with youngsters - it's no good moving forwards until the foundations are secure. Time and patience gets you there. When they freak out, you know you've moved up a stage too quickly and they need to go back to things they feel confidence with and chill out for a while.
 
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