Naughty Mare.

[Libby]

Hi
My sister has had this TB mare for 5 years now and for 3 of those years the horse has been a real bitch.
She can be alright in the arena but when you take her out she works herself up into a real sweat. She doesn't jump her because she gets real excited and starts rearing.
We used to rug her but one day when we put the rug on her she just went mad. And when it's time to let her go she rears and runs around not letting you get near her head.
We recently moved her to a paddock with only one horse and the letting out has improved but the propety is real far away from us so it's hard to go see her.
any suggestions???

[Somethingroyal]

I dont know, ive never had this problem but my friend had a similar one and she just asked her mom to ride a calm horse next to her. Her horse calmed down with the other horse alongside him, maybe this will work???

[Wally]

I presume the horse was OK for some of the time you owned her?
I think you need to put your relationship on a firmer level. She sounds as if she thinks she can get away with such behaviour. She needs to see you as leader.
Start with join up. Then I'm afraid you need to re educate her. She needs firm handling with plenty of positive reward for good behaviour. It could be a long job. Is there anyone experienced in re training difficult horses near you? I'd ask there for help.
If you want to jump her, you will have to teach her that just because there are jumps set out, she isn't always required to jump them. Set out a small course of jumps and quietly ride her round the field once, jump nothing, don't even trot. Then walk her away from the jumps and do something else. Do this regularly so the mare will not associate jumps with excitement. Once you can walk, trot and canter her round the jumps without upsetting her. Jump one fence, walk round and go out. Work like this gradually doing more jumps indespersed with slow walking and trotting. If she winds up go out.
Do you ride out alone or in company. There are so many things that could be the problem.