Mare can be moody at times, any advice

[Owlyhedgehog]

Ive had my mare nearly 3 years. She can be moody at times, she is now in season as was calling for the others the other day and prancing around the menage cos she had maanged to get in with 2 new horses who she now loves.

We had a lesson yesterday, she tripped and fell and I fell off and am in so much pain today even though I had my airjacket on.

I am thinking about a suppliment for her to help with her moodiness, not liking her girth done up and just being sensitive.

Does anyone have any suggestions please> Oestress or sassy mare and you can get calming cookies etc, are these all a waste of time?

Thanks

Tripping isn’t a sign of being a ‘moody mare’ nor is girthiness. Her behaviour could be due to hormones - in which case you’d need a prescription for Regumate to suppress her seasons - or it could be due to ulcers and/or pain somewhat. Personally I wouldn’t waste my money on supplements or calming cookies but spend the money on a work up by my vet instead

Vet. Tripping and falling isn't moody.

I would want her checked for pain.

And calming cookies! I mean how can they actually work (other than lining the stomach in a horse that actually has ulcers,which is what I suspect)

Try feeding her a scoop of chaff 30 mins before you ride while organising vet.

Mares get such a rough end of the stick in terms of welfare as people assume they are moody and don’t investigate further.
Has she been scoped? She sounds ulcery

Think you might have three separate things going on here and one supplement or treatment won’t do all three. It sounds like she is hormonal and if this is a problem the vet can scan her and prescribe regumate if appropriate. Some people say that the over-the-counter “moody mare” supplements do the trick but other cases need prescription stuff.
Was the trip a one-off, or does she stumble frequently? If the latter then it may well be a lameness issue- possibly arthritic changes - but again the vet is needed.
As for the girthiness, I assume there’s no rubbing or soreness in the area? If not, it’s a classic sign of ulcers and the vet will need to scope her before starting a course of treatment. In the meantime you could try feeding a small chaff feed before work - my vet said a double handful, immediately before riding her.
Good luck!