HELP - Bad behaviour

[babeelis]

When I got my ex racer she was recently injured and VERY aggressive which i put down to mainly pain and stress. Its taken many months but finally her legs are healing!

Her attitude improved so vastly she was like a different horse and the other owners at my yard couldnt believe the difference. (They no longer cowered in fear at the mention of her name). For about 4 months we had utter calm and i was so pleased with her.

Unfortunately the last month or so her behaviour problems have gradualluy returned and with a vengence. She is biting, kicking and trying to crush me against hard surfaces. Shes got so bad its put me of trying to groom or ride her. Im heart broken.

Ive had her physical health checked by the vet, her teeth are done, her feet are fine, shes happy in her field. shes well fed and her diet has not changed. There have been no other changes I can think of. Shes a dream to ride as always and cooperative on the lunge but shes becoming worse and worse in the stable.

Can anyone reccomend a good equine behaviouist or does anyone have any advice? I will try anything if it means I dont have to get rid of my beautiful girl (shes the one in the bridle in the picture)


Thanks
Lisa

Attachments:

[catrionamorrison]

Hi there
Have you checked with her previous yard as to her behaviour before her injury and any strategies they used? A friend with a mare has to use eastrease? I think or something along those lines or her girl is totally nuts and another keeps hers out most of the time due to her having pretty much the same issues as your gir in the stable which they believe is a result of her previous life and she would murder you as soon as look at you however with near full turnout she is a different lady.
Good luck
Catriona

[babeelis]

Thanks catriona I got ur PM il give that a shot.

As far as I no there were never too many problems before the injury but she had been passed around abit after she stopped racing so cant be too sure of what shes been through. She was out 24 hours all summer and is now out 8 tiill 8 and in overnight. Shes only four and I had considered her hormones but Oestress hasnt made a difference so ive kinda ruled that out. Thanks for your reply

Lisa

[lisah]

Hi Lisa
When you bring her in to groom etc is she on her own ? Sometimes being separated from the herd can make then behave like this, mares more so if they are one of the dominant mares in the field? Just a thought - if she is on her own, try bringing her in when there is another horse in too and see what she is like then. Or it may be that is is really attached to one particular horse and even just separating her from that horse, regardless of what other horses are in, can also have this effect.

It is amazing how much 'separation' can change their behaviour and it may just be something this simple.

As she is so lovely to ride, I am leaning towards it being something to do with being separated from either one specific horse or just being brought in on her own.

Now you are going to tell me she does this regardless of whether all the horses are in or not LOL

Onother thought is that she is really think skinned and being groomed is uncomfortable for her - try just grooming her with a really soft brush (goat hair) or just even a soft cloth and see if she is any different. My old by Rambo used to HATE brushes and would get really sh*tty if you went into the stable with one - I literally had to groom him with my hands and a towell.....

I hope some of this helps

Lisa xxx

[lin]

Hi Lisa

Following on from the great advice above - is it only when she's in the stable? Have you tried dealing with her tied up outside. My experience with mares is minimal but I've got 1 boy who is uncomfortable being tied up (he's not used to it) but is fine in the stable so wondering if its the opposite with her.

As she seems fine in all other aspects I'd really look at what could've happened recently to upset her. There's not someone new on the yard, or someone she doesn't like. Sorry but I'm a firm believer in horses can cope with change as long as humans don't interfere, specially when you're not around. Sorry not meaning to worry you but is there someone at the yard you can trust to tell you that no-one is interfering behind your back. (Been there, still wearing the T-shirt and moved my horses 2 weeks ago to get away from interfering bullies so maybe I'm paranoid )

Also is there a chance she could maybe stay out instead of being stabled?? She's pretty young and may just need a bit of horse time outside the 4 walls to give her a bit more confidence.

Also are her legs as healing as you think? Mari got the all clear from a hock injury but there was still an infection there but he wasn't lame and hid it until he couldn't take the pain any more??

Feel free to tell me to get to but I hope something I've said can help. She's absolutely gorgeous and deserves the chance you're giving her.

L xx

[babeelis]

Thanks guys uve really given me stuff to think about.

Lisa she is defo not the dominant female and tends to be bulllied by the others nomatter who i put her in with. She has recently tho formed a very strong attachment to one of the geldings (the other in the picture). This is unusal for her as shes abit of a loner usually. She is seperated from him when i bring her in although she has a lad stabled next to her that is in on box rest so shes not alone. If this is the reason (and it makes good sense) I wonder what I can do??!!

Thanks Lin, I know what you mean Ive had some really bad experiences with yards too! You are correct this is mainly happening in the stable although she can give a good nip when tied up also. Alot of folk on the yard think I should be harder on her and smack her more however I have never found this usefull and have stuck to mainly just being firm with her and making it clear her behaviour is unacceptable without making her afraid. She cant live out at the mo as she is a whimpy TB and had started to loose weight being out when the colder weather came in a few weeks ago. Shes also prone to mud fever grrrrr.

Much appreciate ur input

[ldf]

I have had very much the same problem with my girl.

Several years on and she is much better.

I would suggest that her behaviour is very much anxiety driven, the flight or fight mode.
From my experience if she is close to another, even if she has some company nothing will replace her friend.

What to do, with Ml it was a difficult and long process but we started by bringing her in for very short periods - feeding her and then turning her out again, we laid down firm rules, she had to respect my space, and not run at the door at a flat out gallop.

The door was an area she was discourgaed from going to - by sending her back firmly.

the difficulty was being consistant and the time it took, but with perserviance it has worked.

Good luck with your girlie x

[ninajh]

I have recently had a very similar problem with my mare, we had problems in the stable as well as riding which included behaviour similar to your mare but also included rearing. I was at my wits end. After ruling out all the physical issues a friend suggested I try Parelli.

At this point I was willing to try anything so I gave it a go. With unbelievable results. I am now her herd leader and she has respect we have not reared in the last 6 months and it has also boosted her own confidence that she is no longer bullied in the field and is almost top of the pecking order.

I only use the basics along with my other schooling but it has worked. There is so much information out there I would really recommend giving it a try. I still have problems at times but I am now able to deal with them. I feel alot safer and she seems alot happier.

I hope you find the solution that suits your mare as she look fantastic a credit to you. Good luck

[chestnuttymare]

Can i suggest that if you go down the parelli route that you get someone reputable to start you off. I know they do the dvd's etc but that can't teach you about the wee subtle bits of body language that are key to doing Parelli. There are also people out there passing themselves off as experts and really they are not that good. Make sure you get the right person. ;D
I was in the same boat as you when I got Brooke and was at my wits end with her, thankfully we got sorted and she is a fab horse now.
The fact that yours was ok for 4 months and then went back to that does indicate some sort of change that hasn't suited her recently, how about her routine? Brooke can be a bit of an *rse if her routine is changed.