Sudden change in infoal mare's temperament

[dreamscometrue]

Hi everyone, just wondering whether you can reassure me that a sudden change in temperament is possible in an in foal mare. She was covered mid June so is coming up for two months and over the last ten days she has gone from being quite soppy to aggressive. She's a quirky mare anyway but tonight she was nasty and although she has never been the easiest it was upsetting to see her like that. She was all teeth at me and when asked to move over or back I was met by a very angry little person. Am also concerned as I feel she is showing signs of being in season, can this happen or is it more likely she has slipped the foal hence the sudden change in her hormones that have perhaps caused this rage? Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Well thanks everyone for all your help and reassurance! Have been in contact with my vet today and due to other recent concerns she is having a short course of bute to see if the problem is pain related if not I will be taking her into the surgery for further investigation.

 

[AndyPandy]

It's unlikely to be directly related to the pregnancy. Would you say her behaviour is stallion-like? A granulosa thecal cell tumour can cause stallion-like aggression in mares. It's probably worth getting her scanned - the scan will also show if she is still pregnant and cycling, or cycling because she is empty.

Good luck.

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]
It's unlikely to be directly related to the pregnancy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, there IS a theory that says that - at a certain stage of pregnancy - if a mare gets more aggressive than normal she is carrying a colt - and if she gets nicer or stays the same it is a filly!

I have NO idea if there's any truth in this - or at what stage of pregnancy it is. I have to say that the only time I notice a change in my mares' behaviour - once they are in foal - is towards the end of pregnancy when a change usually indicates either that they are VERY close to foaling - or that they're pi**ed off with a particularly heavy pregnancy.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Thank you AP & JG.

AP I wouldn't say she is showing stallion-like aggression although thankfully the stallions I have had contact with are some of the nicest ponies I have known so perhaps I am slightly unsure as to how one would be aggressive. I will most likely have her re scanned this week anyway as the other problem she has is most likely going to need a closer look (was stung by a wasp a few weeks back and I don't like the look of the swelling left behind and is now hot to touch hence why I think this may now be the route of the problem afterall).

JG that's an interesting one, have never heard about that, I will remember what you said and we'll see! And again I think what you said is reassuring in that hopefully it is not the pregnancy (if there still is one) that is causing this behaviour change but is perhaps something else which I am now going to investigate further.

Many thanks and I apologise for my own abrupt reply have found this forum very helpful with numerous things so was just after a little help directly this time and was initially dissapointed in the response. Thanks again and I'll let you know the outcome.