Why does she lift up when I go in her field!?

[Elsbells]

My mare is dominant and I know that. She is grazed in a small paddock of her own, otherwise you just wouldn't be allowed to get another horse in before her. She is bolshy and strong and can also be a handful for the uninitiated. For me and my friend, she is a lamb.....most of the time.

Anyway, my question? Sometimes, not always, but when she's a bit on her toes, if I go into her field to muckpick or just to say hello, she will do these little rears. They are not bad or threatening and she seems to be able to lift and stay there, legs straight, no striking out and she'll do this 2 or 3 times, then settles. Yesterday I went to muckpick and it was raining so I had my hood up and couldn't see out very well. She knew it was me and was pleased to see me for a cuddle, but as I stroked her neck she did it again, up she went about 2 foot off the ground, straight legs and seemed to float there like a circus horse!
30 mins later my and Els friend too, came down to say hello and she did the same to her! I did warn her
I get the feeling we are other mares to her and if that is so, how mad is that! And if so, should I turn around, squeel at her and kick out like a mare would?
So all you clever peeps please enlighten me.......what's that it all about?

 

[Saxon_Jasmine]

She could be trying to play with you. My mare forgets I'm a human and if I run in her field she pricks her ears and charges at me, has a quick cuddle, then prances off and repeats.

 

[Elsbells]

Ahhhhhhh bless her. Thanks for that SJ. I thought it maybe that, as her face is all full of mischief and she only does it if I havn't got the headcollar in my hand and she knows I'm not there to catch her. Also, she's alone in her paddock and although she can get groomed from the other horses over the fence, sh but is quite playfull there is no one to play with

I'm going to take the parelli ball down with me and see if she'll like that game

 

[Enfys]

I get the feeling we are other mares to her and if that is so, how mad is that! And if so, should I turn around, squeel at her and kick out like a mare would?
So all you clever peeps please enlighten me.......what's that it all about?

NEVER! NO! Not unless you want her to take you 'at your word' and turn around and double barrel you back!

If any of my horses did this, in play, or threat, I would see it as them wanting to dominate me and would move them on sharpish. I don't even allow my horses to lean their heads on my shoulders or push me, even the foals. My rule is all feet firmly on the ground when I am around them, when I am not there they can do whatever they like.

It may be playful little half rears now, and she obviously isn't meaning to hurt you, but one day she could take it further go up and strike out, when there is half a ton of horse waving legs six feet above you it is a precarious situation to be in. I think that by letting her do this you are confirming to her that it is OK.

It does sound as if she needs to have a playmate, but that's easier said than done when one is very dominant. Maybe try the ball or something she can play with. One of my QH's loves feedsacks, he'll charge around the paddock waving it about and stomping on it.