Catching My Mare!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question
QUESTION: My mare is so hard to catch and i don't know what to do!?!?!? Every time I pick up the halter from the rack she runs out the back of her stall or just turns her rear to me. I know that is dangerous so i need to know what to do.


My other horse has a feeding problem. Every time i start to get the feed ready she gets so impatient she starts to kick sometimes. She even tries to bite other times too. Both my horses need help in behavior so i need to know your advice really soon.

(Both my horses are due in 13 days, do you have any tips in case something goes wrong during the pregnancy)
ANSWER: Hi Jackie,
         Since your mares are due so soon there is not much in the way of training you can do with them until their foals are weaned. You might want to keep your mares haltered until they deliver if they have issues with being haltered.

I would suggest you look for a professional trainer for the mare who rears as that is a very dangerous habit.

Here are some items you should have on hand for the foaling.

Tail wrap (gauze or vetrap) to keep dirty tail from introducing bacteria to the vulva and causing infection.  
Watch or clock of some kind so you know for sure how long it's taking and when you're in trouble
Baby Fleet enema(s).
Camera and film
OB Lubricant (KY gel or such) in case you need to go in and feel around
Shoulder length OB gloves.
Banamine for pain after birth.
7 iodine for umbilical stump
Film canister to put iodine in for dipping navel
Blunt end scissors for red bag (A "red bag" delivery is where the placenta detaches too early).

The foal comes out in a red bag and needs which needs to be cut ASAP.
Flashlight
Thermometer
Baling twine to tie placenta at hock level.
Clean towels
Vet's phone # and phone
Plastic bag or bucket to save placenta for the vet
Clean bucket to offer mare tepid water afterwards
Mare halter and lead

When the foals are weaned you can start working on the mare's behaviors.

Please let me know how the foaling goes.

Lisa

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

QUESTION: Hey, my mare had both of their foals and they turned out to be both colts!!! They are so cute!!! The foaling went fine and nothing wrong went on during. About my mares problem (i can't catch her) what do i do? And the other is still being impatient when it comes to feeding time. I just don't know what to do?!?!?!? I have already started working with both of the colts and they are progressing fine. I have already halter broke them and they are starting to lead OK When do I start to bath them and the mares?

         


ANSWER: Hi Jackie,
         Congratulations on your foals.

You first want to convince your horse that being caught is not a bad thing. You do not want the mare to associate being caught just with work. To do this you will want to just spend time with her.

If she is in the pasture then just go out and sit in the pasture. Bring a book or radio with you. Just ignore her. Do not even look at her.

If she approaches you don't even reach out to touch her. Let her sniff you or nuzzle you and pay attention to your book. Walk away after about 30 minutes. You will want to do this a few times a day. Just keep on ignoring her.

After doing this a few times then bring a brush out with you and brush her and give her scratches. Do not try to catch her.

Another time you go out bring a few treats in a bucket and feed them to her. She is eventually going to realize that when you go out to see her then it is fun.

When she is comfortable with you going out and doing this then you will next bring the halter with you. Put the halter on her,give her some scratches and then let her loose. If you continue this then she will come to the conclusion that being caught is a good thing. Just take your time.

In regards to your mare who is impatient when she is being fed. Has she ever not had enough food? Some horses when they have not been fed enough will be aggressive during feeding time. Does she have hay 24/7 or do you give her a certain amount of flakes at each meal?

You can bathe your mares and foals as soon as the weather is warm enough.

Lisa

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

QUESTION: I will be sure to do that with my mare and will get to back to you if it works. Thanks!! Well I am not sure how much she was fed before we got her but we feed her about 2 cups of sweetfeed and oats mixed together once in the morning and once at night. We also give her 1 flake in the morning, 1-2 during the day, and 1 at night. She does get turned out in the pasture but there is not that much grass for her to eat (thats why we giver her 1-2 flakes during the day). There is aslo another problem. You probaly think she is a horible horse but really she is great. Well when we are out side the stall and are petting her she pins her ears back gritts her teeth or trys to bite someone. Do you have any advice for that problem????? Thank you so much for every thing!!!!!

Answer
Hi Jackie,
         You need to up the feed your mare is getting. She should be eating at least 4lbs of a mare and foal feed or a complete feed 2 times a day for a total of 8lbs. A lactating mare needs to have more feed. You should also up her hay amount. There are two reasons that she may try to bite and pin her ears. Reason one, is fearful of people so she thinks she has to be aggressive to protect herself and reason two is that she does not respect you.

For now I would go with reason one, as she was in foal and now has a new foal. You want to teach her to trust you. This will take time. Whenever food is involved, you will want to be extra careful. Some horses are very protective of their food. When she does this you need to not let her get away with it. By this I do not mean that you get physical. In a sharp but firm voice tell her no when she does this and move towards her. Keep doing this. When she does not pin her ears or try to bite then praise her. The one thing you need to remember is that she will be extra protective because of the foal.

Lisa