| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Slave 2 Magic |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 2:17:41 PM
A few weeks ago I had Magic bloodtested for ovarian tumors. Her behaviour fitted the symptoms and I had ruled out other forms of pain beforehand. Well the rusults have all come back normal which is good but it does leave me back to square one.
Ridden wise she is fine. Grooming, saddling, rugging she is NOT fine! The constant biting and teeth grinding are getting me down. I've tried ignoring it and I've tried chastising her. If I give her a slap she just carries on. I can't afford to get a behaviour person out right now so any help or advice welcome please. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Slave 2 Magic |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 5:10:27 PM
I have owned her for 4 and a half years. She has gradually got worse over the last 2 years. Before I bought her she was unbroken and very rarely touched. She lived with a herd of mini shetlands so mutual grooming didn't happen and I have never seen her doing this. If it is the case that some mares are just like this, and I am glad to hear I'm not alone here, then so be it. I can live with it. It's just the farrier thing that puzzles me. Maybe she only does it to me? If that is the case then she is telling me to bugger off! I think I'll see what she does if someone else grooms her. It's a thought. |
| geegee |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 4:59:35 PM
From what you are saying, getting tougher with her is only going to make things worse or start a fight. I don't think this is the answer here....
She could be displaying a learned behaviour from an association with pain that she had previously. How long have you owned her?
You say "She doesn't want to be groomed but at the end of the day it should be my say so!" - please think about this comment. If she is constantly biting AND grinding her teeth, she is not happy and I think it could be more down to a partnership problem rather than a physical problem.
She sounds like an extremely sensitive mare.
My mare is particularly sensitive. She picks up on your body language, doesn't like being "told" what to do, doesn't like people barging into her space BUT show her respect and ask her and you have a perfect horse in front of you. This doesn't mean that she is in "charge" it means that we have an understanding and respect each other.
If I were you, I would take the grooming right back to basics. Start off using your hand, find the spots that she likes and build from there - slowly. Take your time. Sometimes, this is all that it takes. Taking a step back and making no demands.
Good luck 
|
| Qui Gon Jinn |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 4:59:05 PM
If she has a stomache problem, don't feed her carrots as they are quite acidic and could be keeping the problem going. Fenugrek is great for stomache problems. |
| Slave 2 Magic |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 4:49:50 PM
Hi
Thanks for all your replies. I did consider gastric ulcers and mentioned it to my vet but she didn't seem to think it was likely. I tend to agree as she doesn't loose condition and is on a fibre only diet. She has agnus castus in her chop along with a probiotic and magnitude. I really am trying to cover all angles here!
She is the same if tied outside stable or in. Has no issues with me being in her stable and lunges and leads brilliant. She isn't bargey at all and backs up on command. She even snaps at me when I pick her feet up but doesn't do it to the farrier. HELP! |
| joanna_piana |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 4:27:22 PM
I have the same problem with Ishara. She has the sweetest temperament and loves her face, neck and bottom brushed but hates being touched on her body and is really girthy. My physio suggested to me that it could be gastric but I was thinking ovaries is more likely.
When they bloodtested Magic did they look down the gastric route as well? I think to see if they have ulcers they have to send a camera down. |
| Karon |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 4:11:31 PM
Ulcers? Has the vet considered using a marble to see if that helps? Just very sensitive and doesn't like the feel of brushes on some parts of her? |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 3:35:15 PM
It sounds like she just likes her space and doesn't like being touched,I have known a few mare's like this, my mare would pull some awful faces,when groomed and tacked up she also hated having rugs done up and could look really evil but they were only ever threats she never actually would bite me, if ever she did get my coat she would run to the back of the box and knew it was wrong, I did ask my vet about her behaviour he just said she is protective of her stable environment
I must say the few times I moved yards she would be so sweet for the first few days then revert back to her old self so I really just think they regard the stable as there's.
She was very sensitive and didn't like being touched or shoved around, you only ever had to say "over" to her and she would move, I would say she was better outside of her stable than in.
|
| Vic1986 |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 3:10:13 PM
Hi my mare can be like this too. I have just had her ovaries scanned and she has no physical problems.
she has a real personal territory issue with her stable. some examples - if another horse puts their head over the door she goes ballistic even if they are a friend, she dislikes being tacked up in her box and will stamp her foot in protest, if im inside her stable and she is tied up outside she can get very sulky and really seems to be asking why are YOU in MY room type of behaviour - its bizzare. if another horse came in her box while she was in there i really do think she'd have a nervous breakdown, however she is more than happy to scoot into my anglo's stable and they stand together in there happily, she will also 'share' the field shelter which is only 12x12 but her stable - no way !
If i tie her up outside to groom etc she is better.
She is also very hormonal - she has regular seasons even in the coldest of winter.
I have had her on oestress since march and have noticed really positive effects. I have also been prescribed regumate for her to try for the summer.
you say she is dominant, how is she to handle other than rug, groom etc. is she bargy? does she respect your space? If not then i'd do some ground work with her. it will help stimulate her anyway.
good luck with your grumpy mare - i sympathise, really and truly i knew nothing was wrong with her she is just a grumpy old cow but like you got it checked first.
Mine is of the age where shes not going to change and i only discipline her when she crosses a line (like snapping her teeth at me to warn me off which to me isnt acceptable) but the ears back and general moodiness i just ignore. |
| Pasha |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 2:52:28 PM
Just a thought - is she like this both in the stable and out? i.e. if you tie her up outside to groom etc is she the same or different?
|
| Slave 2 Magic |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 2:36:30 PM
Thanks Kelly. I still think it's a personal space issue. She doesn't want to be groomed but at the end of the day it should be my say so! 2 young girls at the yard were stroking Magic the other day and one of them had her arms round Magics neck and I'm thinking "please don't bite!" She didn't but it did cross my mind. Maybe I need to be tougher with her. She is quite a dominant mare but I want her respect through choice and not because she is scared to move. |
| Kelly |
Posted - 20 Apr 2010 : 2:22:59 PM
I've no idea, but I just wanted to send you a hug - it's awful when they worry us like this.  |
