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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
 England
1023 Posts |
 Posted - 12 May 2008 : 1:13:30 PM
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My mare hates being groomed and I'd love to know why! She swishes her tail and tries to bite me. She's fine to tack up and ride. Is she just being a mare, too ticklish or something else? Does anyone else have a monster to groom? She's grey so it has to be done!
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West Yorkshire
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sad 1
Silver Member
United Kingdom
389 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 2:02:58 PM
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Hi slave to magic,
My grey mare hates being groomed, she tries to bite and kick and swishes her tail. She is worst when in season. I know what you mean, being the colour they are they need extra cleaning and grooming.
Its defo a mare/hormone thing
Keep at it just make sure you've got a quick exit if needed.
Good luck |
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madmare
Platinum Member
England
2129 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 2:09:31 PM
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| a suggestion here....tie them up short, or give them a large haynet!! then she can't bite you. My chestnut mare is a babe to groom, she even tries to groom you back! |
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sayeeda
Bronze Member
England
92 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 2:26:22 PM
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| Have to go with madmare here my mare is a darlin to groom and she is a chestnut mare, her daughter who is 2 in August is also an angel to groom, and she doesnt mind being tied up either. |
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rosie
Platinum Member
England
3662 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 5:10:26 PM
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Hi,
how old is your mare? And how long have you owned her?
most of you will remember me posting about my yearling colt that was getting very boisterous. He was a darling until this spring when I think hes hormones suddenly kicked in & he seemed to change behaviour overnight. 
Anyway, to get to the point I had him gelded about a month ago, but, like your mare he doesn't like being groomed.
I tie him up VERY short, & I groom on a regular basis & make him do as hes told.
He is getting better, but I think with him its a case of testing my authority to see how far he can push me.
I wonder with your mare if its hormones, a new horse that is trying you out, or is genuinely ticklish?
good luck,
Lisa |
     
Last picture courtesy of Sweet Photography |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 5:42:01 PM
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If it were me, I would take a step back from the situation and really try to think why a horse is reacting so defensively about being groomed.....
I would forget about what you "have" to do and think about what you "can" do. I would tie the horse up as normal (not short, just enough that they can't turn their head round to you and bite) and approach the horse's shoulder. Watch for the slightest reaction (ears, nose, mouth and legs) At what stage do the ears start to go back, or the nose wrinkling up,mouth opening, trying to move away from you etc etc.
I would then just stroke/rub the withers and see if the horse likes it and reacts positively. I would then build on this over a week by moving onto other areas. Don't move on until they are completely happy with being touched/rubbed in that area, also don't stop when they give a negative reaction only stop on a positive reaction. Make the sessions enjoyable for the horse.
If a horse is "made" to accept something then there is always going to be a fight somewhere else down the line. Give them a good experience and this in turn will build a better relationship with your horse.
That's what I would do, anyway 
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kate b
Gold Member
Wales
1418 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 7:57:17 PM
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I have a grey mare that dislikes being groomed too. She will not bite or threaten to kick but she likes to show her dislike by swishing her tail (and its not entirely painless being thrashed with that!!) She will however stand still and put up with it (without being tied up) but likes to make it known that she is only 'putting up with it' and not enjoying it in the slightest!
My chestnut filly on the other hand, loves being groomed and will stop munching her hay and just stand there to enjoy it. She has been known to fall asleep!
Perhaps greys have more sensitive skin?
Kate |
      
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sabinelenny
Silver Member
England
413 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 8:40:21 PM
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I had a chestnut mare, who was very sensitive, but she loved being groomed with a goat hair brush, which is very soft.
We had the same problem with 2 mares (one new to the yard and bought of the field) and my chestnut youngster again extremly sensitive skin. We have discovered the little round soft plastic scourers are brilliant for getting of mud, but somehow they don't appear to pull on the hair/skin and both horses are very happy being groomed like this. We can get a bag of these in any 'pound shop'.
Hope this helps!
Sabine |
   
www.purespiritarabians.com |
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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member
England
1023 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 9:21:30 PM
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Thanks for all your replies. In answer to some of the questions, I have had her for 2 years so its not a new testing thing. It sounds a good idea to see what she will tolerate. If I scratch her withers or back she loves it. Anywhere else is scowly face.
She has a haynet when she is tied up and has now resorted to taking chunks out of that when Im grooming! I'd rather she was happy to be groomed though. I do think its a dominance thing though as she sometimes tries to bite when I pick her feet up yet she doesn't do it to the farrier. The rest of the time she's a sweety. |
West Yorkshire
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sunny
Silver Member
252 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 9:23:03 PM
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| Hi My mare was very bad when i first got her, she would threaten to kick, swish the tail ears flat back, push and move fast with her back end. But we are about 95% ok now, i only use soft body brush, and when she wallys about, i just step away and then go back to what i was doing, she has excepted it and secretly enjoys it but tells me from time to time she does not. I also think that they know what you are thinking, i used to dread grooming her but now i just get on with it, lots of praise, and not too much talking i find, i also use my other hand to follow the brush sweeps. I feel for you as i have been there but mind over matter and keep cool. Please let us know your progress |
South Lincolnshire |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 10:03:41 PM
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| I have expereinced horses that don't like the repetitive jarring that comes with grooming - swishy tail, face pulling etc. Often though, they are fine to bath or massage. Try putting her in a comforatble environment, using a super soft brush and doing very long slow sweeps over the parts of her that she tenses (their skin sort of sticks and you can't move it). See how she reacts. If you can get her to react positively, do a little bit more and then walk away... she'll probably 'ask' for more. |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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