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  Discussion on Overprotective Mare, Need advice please!!
Author Message
New Member:
powellh

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 - 11:51 pm:

I bought a 7 yr old pregnant Mare. They brought her to me about 2 weeks before she delivered. She loved attention, walks, grooming just about anything where she got attention. Anyways 7 days ago the foal was born during the night. From day one she would not let anyone near the foal. She does not kick but she does put her ears back and wont let you touch her or the foal gets very aggressive. My husband finally got ahold of her halter and she ripped it right off her face and I still can not get close enough to put it back on her. I called her old owner and asked if he had problems before. He told me that her last baby got over the fence in with the other horses and somehow got trampled on and died.I don't know what to do this is my first foal and honestly I have only worked with horses for approx 1 yr and have never had an aggressive horse I just sent my other two to a trainer but this is a Very well trained Mare that he use to show. I try everyday to get her to trust me again but should I just leave her be for a bit? Please give me some advice.
Thanks
P.J. w/ her foal morning born

Our new foal..... Rufuss

My daughter Alisha taking P.J. for a walk 2 days before having her foal!
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - 6:22 am:

Cute foal Heather. Luckily I have never had a mare become aggressive after foaling.

We did have a cow you could pet, but after having her calf she tried to kill my husband when he went near it.

For now I think I would let mom and baby alone, the novelty seems to wear off after awhile. Try standing outside the gates for quite awhile each day so they can get use to you being around and know you are not a threat....just hang out with them in a safe place without approaching.

The mare has been through alot with moving to a new place, and foaling in the last 2 weeks. She doesn't know or trust you yet. Let her get to know you...from a safe distance!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - 7:33 am:

Welcome Heather,
If you are uncertain how to approach an aggressive horse DianeE's advice is good as long as nothing happens that requires examining the horses. In time foal aggressive mares do tend to settle down a bit. But to be prepared for such a potential problem I recommend you get the help of a professional (perhaps your trainer, veterinarian, or farrier) to help teach you how to gain control of this mare safely. It is not really something you can learn by reading but our thoughts on handling problem and aggressive horses are at:
1) Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Manners
2) Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Aggression in Horses.
DrO
Member:
terrido

Posted on Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - 11:50 am:

DrO's advice is sound (of course!) I just wanted to say that you have not had this horse long enough for her to trust you at all, that's why she is being protective of her baby. This is normal. As she learns she can trust you her overall demeanor will change, but this will of course take time, and possibly much of it.

Meanwhile if you do need to have the horse(s) examined get help.

I highly recommend you get a trainer to help you work through this stage. Or if you can read and apply what you read then get some books, DVDs etc. on handling horses.

Don't take her "rejection" personally, they, like us, need time to get to know you well before they will just trust you. Only caution I can give here is that you must be fair in her eyes in all your actions if you want to gain her trust quickly. Be consistent in everything you do with and around her. Feed at the same time, do the same routine, don't deviate too much from the routine and timing. Be consistent in how you approach her, everything.

Most of all just give her time.
New Member:
powellh

Posted on Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - 9:39 pm:

Thanks everyone for your advice. She is coming around, Today and tonight when I fed her she let me pet her during this time. I did not even attempt to mess w/ her foal since I want her to trust me first! Thanks
Member:
imogen

Posted on Friday, Apr 4, 2008 - 3:54 am:

Be very careful never to accidentally find yourself between the mare and young foal. This advice holds for even the nicest mums, they can all turn nasty if they suddenly perceive a threat.

Imogen
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