My pregant mare is getting pushy

Question
I own a 4 year old bay roan quarter horse mare.  She is pregant and is due to foal in the end of March to first part of April.  When I bought her in May she was easy going always ready for a ride. Now she is getting more and more pushy.  She moves when you cinch up a saddle on her and she used to just stand there waiting.  She also had no problem when you mounted her now she moves away from you. But has no problem with my 5 year old daughter rideing her. I am wondering if she is picking up bad habbits or if it is the pregancy.  This being her first one the old owners have no incite.  Could this be her problem.  She is great when being shoed, trimed, loading in trailors, and loves getting brushed, Just when the saddle comes out, Please give me some answers.  Thank Autumn

Answer
Hi Autumn, Since she is in the beginning of her pregnancy, I would suspect it is a behavioral problem, her hormones have not changed so dramatically that she would be so difficult, plus she does need the exercise to have a healthy delivery. One thing you might want to check is her saddle fit. It the saddle or girth do not fit her well as her body changes during the pregnancy, it could be causing her distress.  If you do not know how to do a proper saddle fit, call a local saddler, or a professional that can do a saddle fitting for you. It may be cheaper if you take her to them. Don't let them try to get you to buy one of their saddles, just tell them you need a fitting. Many tack stores have people who do fittings, but have no experience, and are only trying to get you to buy a new saddle from them. So hiring a professional saddle fitter, or trainer with knowledge of doing many saddle fittings, is worth the price. Also be sure that she understands that you are now her new herd boss and spend some time lunging and doing ground work, so she is sure that  she knows that she cannot push you around. Leave me some feedback, a nomination (if you wish), and do let me know how things go for you. Thank you kindly for writing. Warm Regards, Susan