At 00:06:03 on 27.04.11, EventingArab4Ever wrote:
I recently purchased a 20 yr old TB schoolmaster mare. She is lovely, and a great babysitter! However, I have noticed a signifigant change in her behavior since I bought her about 2 weeks ago. She wasn't at all herd bound before I got her, but now she is extremley attached to this gelding Bob! She freaks out when I try to tack her up, and tries to run back to her friends. Although it usually went away under saddle, now she is constantly whinnying and acting dangerous (and about 15 years younger tahn she is!)!!I have done ground work with her, but she does not focus on me. Please help people, this is an extremley annoying habbit that I would like help trying to cure!

At 00:01:25 on 30.05.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Is she in season? When the mares are in season in our herd all hell breaks loose, luckily grenville doesn't seem to get it but the mares don't let us get the geldings and vice versa, if it is you could use hormonal suplements to try and calm her down like oestress, or you could talk to your vet if this doesn't work for a stronger hormone supresser, if not take food lol food is a big thing and every time she goes to turn fedd a treat until you're more interesting. Good luck

At 16:47:46 on 31.05.11, ToriSilverson wrote:
it does sound like she is in season...mares can be very unpredictable when they are, some are worse than others...just carry on as normal as possible, dont let her hav her way, and reward her when she behaves...you might want to seperate her from geldings aswell...

At 15:32:16 on 01.06.11, Flicka wrote:
Hi, it definitely could be hormones! All different makes seem to work for different horses but I've found frisky mare by Global Herbs really effective :) However, you are definitely sure that she was good about hacking out before you bought her? How long was she at her last home for? Sometimes horses can be on their best behaviour when you first get them while they suss things out and then after a few weeks or months the problems begin. Also if she'd been at her last home for a long time the move could have been pretty traumatic for her which is why she's buddied up so strongly. Think what it's like starting a new school, or being taken away from home and stuck with a new family!!