3 yr old filly

Question
Dear Ms. Summers, I have had my filly (Echo) since she was just a year old. She is about 14.5 hh,red roan, 1/2 QH-1/2 mustang. I have worked with her in the round pen since I got her. She trust me and seems to be a one person horse. I have never been the "nagging mom" with her and expect her to mind and pay attention to me when I'm around her. She does. I reward her with praise and love. I got this filly because the people were going to use her for breeding,they owed me money and I took the little filly as payment. I have never been sorry. I loved her from the minute I saw her. Best money I ever spent. We have become great friends. She is in the pasture with my 2 geldings and they get along great. My question is....now when she comes in heat she acts like a complete spoiled brat. She squeals at me, throws her head, trys ti bite at me (for which she got smacked before I thought about it) and acts like a fool. So in the round pen we go moving her feet forward, backward,left and right. I have been told that most people don't like a mare on trail rides, ect because of this behavior. What else can I do to let her know that kind of behavior will not be tolerated. I've only began to ride her in the round pen lately because shes small and I was afraid if I started sooner it would ruin her bones. Therefore, I haven't had her on any trails yet. Any imformation would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. God bless.

Answer
Marie,

Thank you for caring about your horse. You are right to start her carefully...I usually just get on a three year old very lightly.....then do more when they are four.

She cannot threaten you....so if she bites at you you can reprimand her with your voice sharply and slap her on the neck or shoulder...where you can reach. If you hit her on the face it will make her head shy.Any correction or praise should take place within 3-5 seconds. Horses are truly within the moment.

I would get some help to learn to CORRECTLY lunge her...not chasing her around a round pen, but on a lunge line and quietly so she becomes more supple and stronger.

Mares can become quite moody when they come into heat. There are things you can do to help you with this that a vet can help with, but they are expensive.

Ground work (not just round penning, this can actually make a horse moodier and MORE resistant), will help you develop a better relationship with her. I would recommend the TTEAM methods (Linda Tellington Jones) over the Natural Horsemanship.

Keep in touch...you can do follow ups on EXPERTS.