biting mare

Question
QUESTION: Hello, today whem my foal was nursing on my mare I was standing on the outside of the stall watching as I usually do, when the foal started to nurse my mare pined back her ears and reached out and tried to bite me.She also made a noise like the foal was hurting her, it was the same noise she made when the foal was trying to latch on for the first time. So I backed up a little bit from the fence, but still freaking out and a little scared. I was saying okay she did that because the baby has teeth now and it was painful I guess. So as I was standing there still in shock, and then she did it again really fast, her ears pinned back and she strethced out her neck to try to bite me again this time there was no noise. What does this mean? She never ever did this before. She sometimes tries to nibble on my fingers when I feed her carrots or when shes hungry and wants to eat right away. I stand there and try to rub on her nose or side and she sometimes tries to nibble but I say NO, and she just walks away. She is head shy from getting back handed from her other owner. But she lets me scratch her when shes eating or has her halter on. I don't know what to do. Im kinda scared and dont want to trust her anymore. So do you know if this is normal, if the foal trying to latch on and maybe biting her. Maybe cause I was the closest thing she could bite for relief or something? Don't know please any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

ANSWER: Hello and  thank you for your question

Firstly I have to ask how old is the foal and he/she due to be weaned away from mum yet?   This could be one reason why your mare is making noises when foal is trying to suckle.  Maybe if old enough its time  for mum to have some time away from baby and see how things progress.

However if this is not the case then I would say its more a protective instinct from your mare.  She  is simply saying to you 'stay away this is my baby and I don't want you near him whilst he is suckling'   Its really a defensive reaction.  As your mare has not had a good experience from a previous owner she maybe thinks that you will react in the same way.


Don't be scared though,  its unlikely that as she lets you scratch her on the side of  her head and her nose that she will bite you, its just a warning that she is giving you.  Carry on with the stroking and the rubbing on her head, just to get her used to it and let her know that you will not hurt her.  She will come round, its just that she needs to learn to trust again after having had such a bad time previously


Continue to play with both mare and foal, just go in the stall (when you feel safe to do so) and sit quietly in a corner, ignoring them just display negative body language, make no attempt to put on a halter of touch them  let them come to you, their curious nature will get the better of them.  If this causes the mare distress or she makes to bite you then leave quietly and try again another day.  Do not stay long build up the time gradually.   She has to learn that you will not hurt either her or her baby.

This will take time and patience but will be worth the effort


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

QUESTION: Hi, the foal is three weeks as of today. I always go in the stall and the baby always follows me around. The baby lets me scratch her all over her body with no problem. She follows me to the other end of the stall when the mare is eating, the mare will look but wont make a big deal and do that callling noise she does. Now if there is somebody else in the stall than she makes that calling noise to come to her. I've had her for about a year and she came along ways. She has never kicked, dosnt turn her butt to anybody.Never seen any aggressiveness from her.I thought when the vet came the first day to vaccinate the foal ang check the foal out I thought for sure she would start to kick or bite everybody in sight, but she didnt. My husband was really surprised when I told him what happened. He said she trusts me the most. I know they say don't let them get away with anything, but she would of taken my arm or face off if I didn't have such a fast reaction. Thank you much

Answer
HI thanks for the additional information.  

Just a thought really has your vet checked the mares hormone levels out lately

Only asking because my daughter has  just reminded me that we used to have one of ours do the very same thing when she had foaled.   

It was the sudden drop  in hormone levels that caused her to  be overly aggressive with folks.

Might be an idea to get vet to take a quick blood sample and see.

hope this helps