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  Discussion on Mare with an attitude
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Posted on Thursday, May 3, 2001 - 7:31 pm:

I bought a paint mare 3 yrs ago. Before I bought her I went and looked at her several times, she was the most loveable, easy mannered horse, so I bought her. She was low on the pecking order out of 6 horses. I brought her home and the next day when I reached in her stall to pet her she avoided my hand and when I persisted she acted like she was going to bite me. Well to put all long story shorter...we havent really gotten along, shes alot better though doesnt mind ya petting her but when she has enough she walks away. She had a foal before we got her and the foal ran through electic fence and had to be put down, our donkey was a yearling and she kinda took him over like he was hers. Anytime you walk out in the field the donkey would come running and here comes cricket with her ears back, anyway this has always bothered me. To this day if he breys she winnies.She is slowly moveing up the pecking order now, I noticed this start the day we brought her home from being bred.
Well this fantastic stud moves into the area and I just couldnt resist so had her bred. I'm worried about her personality when she foals. I was bitten bad on the breast 25 yrs ago and anytime I see a horse with its ears pinned I get flashbacks. Everyone thinks I dont have anything to worry about.
I have been working with her, Parreli's way and I hope before next Jan we get along better. I've tried being real sweet, to her giving treats, that doesnt work, when the treats are gone she leaves. Then I hate to admit it but there are a few times I lost my temper with her big time and then thats when she would be so perfect for about a month then around we'd go again. She seems so defiant, for instance she knows what whoa means and we'd be trotting along and i'd say whoa and she puts her ears back but keeps on going. Thats one of the times I lost my temper with her,then i'd barely say whoa and she'd stop, but seems like we always have to go round.
I've had horses since 73 but always had weanlings or yearlings and had some of the best horses, but this is the first time i've ever bought a 6 yr old.
My question I guess is has anyone else out there ever had a mare that had a bad personality, and bred her? What was there temperment towards you when they foaled and if it wasn't good how do you handle something like this?
Any help would be much appreciated because if she wasnt such a great trail horse, not spooky and goes anywhere I ask, i'd of got rid of her along time ago.
Mary

Posted on Sunday, Oct 7, 2001 - 10:23 pm:

Your mare is probably going through some difficult times as you are with the adjustments. I had a mare that acted as yours did and when I bred her, she was a completely different mare. She became one of the sweetest. I left her baby with her and she weaned it herself. She was with me for 16 years, just recently passing away. One of the things you will have to do is be patient and caring, grooming her with her baby by her side, showing her you care about her. Once she gets your trust, she will be your friend forever.
Good luck.
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