Why can't I bond with my mare?

[Megibo]

All of ours are mares! Whenever we want a gelding we come home with another mare.. they are all different just like people.

Sounds a bit daft, but I've never managed to bond with a mare that I didn't find through fate.

 

[mirage]

Your mare sounds like my knobberpony! She was 20 when we bought her and she was the first pony I'd had since I was 10.We had a few battles about leading,if she didn't want to move,she'd plant and rear.I got an IH lady out who said that knobberpony was feeling insecure and didn't have confidence in me.We did a few hours of groundwork and it completely changed things,from taking 40 minutes to get across the field to her following me without needing a headcollar or lead rope.

I did discover that she had a bad reputation for leading in the past,so much so that one of her owners couldn't deal with her on the ground at all. She also won't be stabled and will get stressed and double barrel the door if you try.She will never be a cuddly pony,but that doesn't bother me,we have an understanding,she trusts me and will come over for a scratch.She is very possessive of me now though,and hates other ponies coming over for fuss as she regards me as 'hers'.She is a grumpy old bad tempered baggage but I love her to pieces and will never part with her.