Mean mare unless she is in heat

[pasoglide]

My friend has had this five year old mare for two months now . She is having trouble with her . She will buck and kick out at her . For the first time the other day she had a nice ride on her , she even rode her all over without a saddle . The only thing differant about her was she was in heat .
What would make her mean when she's not in heat ? Could it be a cist ?
Cowboy Ed you said that she is hormonal . Had she ever been checked out that you know of ?

[GeorgeGuns]

When a mare is in heat, she becomes a lot more submissive - usually. it sure doesn't mean she becomes smarter though, lol.
I'd definately have a good pelvic exam and sono done on her to see what is going on, and a hormone check for her progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone levels. yes, testosterone, even females produce a little bit. I'd also get a good chiroprictic evaluation, it may be that she has an alignment problem that she is basically distracted from while in season, but feels more when she is out.
Get her saddle checked - mares "hunch' when they are in season, and may be hunchy enough under saddle to alleviate a bad fit that otherwise makes her cranky.

[Terry Wallace]

Yes...certainly could be a cyst. Does this mare have any discharge when she is NOT in heat? What is her normal temperature?

[pasoglide]

Her vet just came out yesterday to do coggins and she asked him about her . ( get this) He said that he never heard of a mare having hormonal problems . I don't think she has disharge and I know my friend doesn't know how to take temp. Do you think breeding her would help ?

[CarolU]

I would get a new vet. They are not all created equal. I certainly would not breed this mare with this vet!

There is probably an equine specialist not TOOO far away. If they are, have her insist on the bloodwork and exam.

Your mare might have something else... But when we bred are mare which was real mean she became a sweetheart after. Don't know how it happend but it worked.

[Abejita]

Well..breeding..IF she has a problem that wouldn't be conducive to getting or staying pregnant you need to know that before you think of breeding her..IF this is just your mares personality you might get a baby just like her ( oh how sweet) but many people do breed hoping it changes a mare..and it does work sometimes. I too would be looking asap for a new vet..and then when you get one have them teach you the basics..You should know how to take a temp.Many vets ask that if you call with a problem to help evaluate if its an emergency ..

Not trying to be mean..but if your friend can't even take her horse's temp..She has NO business thinking of raising a foal just to see if it helps the mare's personality...

[stella]

That is not unusual for a mare to behave more submissively and be more amenable when in season than when not.
I like to start them under saddle when they're in season, their attitude is so much more "open-minded" and tolerant of new things, it makes for an ultra positive experience for both rider and horse.

Its more unusual, when not, to buck and kick.
It'd be more likely hormonal or a cyst, if the mare was older, but of course, its a possibility!
And also, if she'd owned the horse awhile, more than 2 months.
I'd say, she has still not adjusted to her new home, and hasnt taken too well to the change. Some take longer than others, especially if they've never changed environments before. Everything that ever gave them a secure feeling is gone, literally overnight.

BUT YES, DO get her checked, just in case!
If maiden mares start acting a bit bizarre, its more likely to be at ages 7-9, that their biological clocks start getting antsy.

But, if all is well.....make use of that time to make the most of building the relationship, getting the mare to "open her mind"(on a more regular basis!) to accepting the new home, new person, new routines. Slow body language, making SURE the saddle fits, the signals nice and mild...maybe even call the previous owner, and get a GOOD CLEAR picture of what she was used to, routine wise, etc. that will help make the transition easier on her.

[cowboy ed]

pasoglide, squirt was never checked by a vet, not that i know of. the background info i gave you on her would account for some of her "mean" streak, but cystic ovaries will sure make a mare act weird to. it would be worth it to check for that.

[Ginger]

you think breeding her would help

NO. Breeding doesn't solve anything. It's at best temporary. Besides that, you're creating a new life "as an extra".

[pasoglide]

My friend traded this mare for a gelding and the person that is getting her
is better qualified to deal with her . So all is better.