Agressive Mare

Question
QUESTION: My friend just purchase a 3 year old mare. The mare seemed nice and calm while we were checking her out, but come to find out that she has just about NEVER been handled. She gets her home and now all hell breaks loose. This mare does not tie, barely leads, and is not relaxed in any sort of situation. Within a couple days she is now starting to get agressive and try striking at us when we lead her. She gets repremanded heavily when she does that. Any tips or ideas on what we should do?? Should we take a more active aproach or should we allow her more time to settle in and relax. I'm not afraid of her, I'm just unsaure of exactly what approach to take. I want to fix this before it becomes worse. Thank you

ANSWER: Hi - first off - how was this mare represented to your friend when she went to look at her/buy her? If she was sold as handled/broke, etc this is a gross misrepresentation. Personally if that was the case, I would return the horse.

Now, on the other hand, horses can act totally different when they get to new surroundings.  It can take as long as a couple of months for a horse to 'settle' in - some horses don't care where they go - I have both at home.....

When she gets aggressive - is it when she is just being handled, leading, around food - when?  It may be her way of saying she is not comfortable in her surroundings......it could also be she has high energy...hard to tell without actually seeing her body language.  Usually a horse will look at you when it is being aggressive - it may not be for long (as in just before it turns to kick!)- but ~usually~ they do give signs.

I still would reprimand her if/when she acts out - but again, you need to try to find out if it is in fear or true aggression - do you know how to 'read' a horse to tell what kind of mood it is in?  I wouldn't expect too much from her for the first month or so - letting her settle in, daily handling, let her get to know her new owner and anyone who will be handling her on a regular basis.  Work slowly with her, but don't put yourself in a position where she can hurt you.

I would also have a trainer look at the mare and evaluate her to see what handling she has had, and what she doesn't.

I hope this helps - if you can provide any more information, please do and I can try to be more specific!

Lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick reply. Here are the specifics. The horse was portrayed as halter broke, stand for farrier, vet ect. The horse was shipped a ways so returning her is not so much of an option.

I am able to read a horses "mood" fairly well. All we are trying to do is lead her around. She's not even a little bit aggresive around food. She first acts frightened of every little thing but will still follow. (Mind you it's a walk around an indoor arena) After a about 2 minutes she decides that she's had enough. She'll pin her ears back and if we don't back down then she strikes with her front leg. We then respond  by giving her a good kick in the gut and telling her firmly "no". Then we proceed on for another 2 minutes then put her away. She's getting handled like this 4 times a day. Short episodes, not more than 5 minutes long. We are not handling her in a confined area, such as a stall because neither one of us would like to be cornered in a situation we can get hurt in.

I'm pretty sure that this mare is trying to assert her dominance over us. I obviously don't want her to win that game. Some people have suggested free lounging her, till she submits.

Hopefully this was a little bit more specific. What do you recommend.

Answer
What I would do is make her start to work.....as suggested to you - I would be careful however to make sure she doesn't get too aggresive if she is off a lunge line.....

Instead of the kick in the gut, make her WORK......I have found over the years that that is not the greatest deterrent....

take her out, then before she starts acting bad give her a job.  If she starts to protest, make her work HARDER....she will learn that in order to stop working, she has to behave.....

I'm sorry this isn't longer - I've been home pretty sick the past 3 days - please send me a follow up though so I can try to help you more. Off to bed again.....Lisa