MY NEW HORSES ISSUES

Question
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT HER EARS ALWAYS BEING PEELED BACK EVEN WHEN SHES HAPPY? THE OTHER AREA YOU HELPED GREAT I WILL TRY THAT!! THANKS TIFFANY
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-----Question-----
I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD PAINT MARE THAT LIVES WITH ONE OTHER 5 YEAR OLD PAINT MARE (HALF SISTERS) AND TWO GOATS. THEY CAN ALL GO OUTSIDE TO THE PASTURE OR INSIDE THE BARN AS THEY PLEASE. MY ONE MARE SWISHES HER TAIL WHEN YOU MESS WITH HER BELLY OR BACK END SOMETIMES WANTS TO KICK AND SHE ALWAYS HAS HER EARS BACK. SHE IS NOT REALLY MEAN BUT HAS THIS ISSUE WITH HER EARS ALWAYS PEELED BACK. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO???
-----Answer-----
Hi Tiffany!

It is common for horses to have a "sensitive" area that they do not like being touched.  Mares can be especially hissy when they are in season.

When you are grooming her and she is doing her little game of "Don't touch me there!"  add in something she DOES like....Treats!

Work your way slowly to the body part she does not like being touched and right when you get there....give her a treat.  As she's chewing, calmly but firmly touch the area. Then stop and go to a neutral area she does not care about.

Keep repeating these steps and always reassure her with your voice.  Pretty soon she will forget about about being unhappy and kicking you and only think about the treats.  When you can freely touch her all over, start to give her the treat only every other time...and then only every third time and so on.  But, ALWAYS praise her verbally.

You will not need the treats all the time eventually and she will not care so much about you touching her anywhere.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange

Answer
I would have to say she is either a "Boss Mare" now or one in the making.  She is communicating to you like she does to her horse mates.

It is not dangerous because you say she does it all the time.  A horse who only flattens his ears when he means it will follow-up with a kick or bite.  She sounds more like a drama queen who just is always huffy!

Ignore it for now and see if the reward system with treats softens her edges a bit!  It could take weeks or months but, be persistent and being smarter than her will always work better than force.

Have fun and be safe!