Very moody mare

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Liz111

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Hi, does anyone have any advice on dealing with a very moody mare?
As an example, she currently has an injury to hind leg, just below hock, and all I have to do is look at the leg and she kicks out and makes an awful noise. Haven't been able to get near today to apply antibiotic cream. Any suggestions for overcoming anxiety? (The mare's not mine).... Thanks in advance
 
Liz111 said:
Hi, does anyone have any advice on dealing with a very moody mare?
As an example, she currently has an injury to hind leg, just below hock, and all I have to do is look at the leg and she kicks out and makes an awful noise. Haven't been able to get near today to apply antibiotic cream. Any suggestions for overcoming anxiety? (The mare's not mine).... Thanks in advance
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I am not being rude but find it amazing that this horse is dictating to you what she will allow you to do in the way she is. I know you say she is not yours but even more reason for you to not tolerate such behaviour. I'd ask someone to hold up her opposite diagonal leg so she is unable to kick out. She is just being very naughty. My horse would let me touch any area of his body, even if his head was hanging off. I wouldn't say she is anxious, I would say she is maybe feeding off your anxiety though.

My friend once had a horse that she couldn't pick out his back feet as when she did he would lean back at an alarming angle threatening to fall onto his arse. Of course when he started leaning back as sure as eggs are eggs she would let go in case 'he hurt himself'. One day after putting down a deep bed of straw in his stable I asked if I could have a go at picking up his back foot. Sure enough coming up to 'the point of no return' he expected me to let go of his foot, but I didn't - I held on for grim death. The horse carried on leaning back certain that I would let go....... and went straight down on the floor (unhurt obviously as he wasn't going to injure himself deliberately) and looked up at me in amazement as if to say "no one ever holds on". After that day the girl found she could pick out his back feet without such a problem. She asked me to look after the horse whilst she went on holiday with the advice 'don't go near him whilst he eats or he will kill you". Next day he was fine allowing me to groom him and potter about beside him whilst eating his tea.

Unfortunatley you cannot let animals dictate to you by using intimidating or dangerous behaviour otherwise you open yourself up to all sorts of problems!
 
If it is not yours, then the owner should sort it out and not expect someone not particularly experienced to handle the situation.
Sounds as though she needs firmer handling [and I don't mean a damn good thrashing]
I don't see this as a moody mare but a spoilt mare :), moody mares tend to be hormonal.
 
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Hilton herbs have a couple of herbal remedies which supports the hormonal system and has a calming effect in mares which have had good reviews.
 
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