Mare increasingly reluctant to be tacked up despite seeming fine ridden

[ThatAvidLemonUser]

I have a 19 year old mare, forward going, always up for anything. Her enthusiasm can often be greater than mine (Im mid 50's), but we have loads of fun, mostly hacking, low level jumping, just been away to camp. She's not worked hard, very easy life. Ive owned her for 10 years.

Anyway over the last 12 months she's been increasingly reluctant to be tacked up. Its got to the point that I have to tie her up to tack up, and sometimes if I produce a headcollar after grooming etc she turns away then (I guess in anticipation of being tacked up). Not every time, but more often than I like. Once Im on board she's full of beans, happy to go, asking to canter - exactly how she's always been. It doesn't feel like theres anything wrong.

Ive checked the ususal - physio (regular 3 monthly), chiro (found nothing), saddle (checked twice), teeth (done by vet). I asked instructors at camp for advice and they saw no signs of lameness or difficulty with her going. No signs of discomfort when Im tacking up - not girthy or anything like that. She affectionate and loving on the ground but firmly turns her bum on me when the tack comes out- sometimes. She also hates a fly mask, fly spray, fly ears and nose net, all of which she needs at this time of year and will do anything to avoid the fly mask, including turning bum on me and not allowing the headcollar on.

The only thing I haven't done is a full vet check, which Im now considering.

Id be grateful for any thoughts. I don't like the thought of her not wanting to be ridden, but like I say, once Im on board she she's happy as Larry. If she felt off when I was riding I would of course have got her vet checked long ago. And its not every time she's tacked up, just sometimes.

Any thoughts? What would you check next?

I might be able to help you with this! We have a mare on loan who really hugely struggles with her seasons, not as in hormonal and grumpy, but physically ovulating is extremely painful for her, she started throwing herself against the stable wall, reluctant to be tacked up, but once rider on she loves her work. We investigated thoroughly, and the older a mare gets, the more painful seasons can become. At first sign of a season now, we jab her with a hormone that halts ovulation. She is back to being a happy, comfortable horse. Worth considering

Thank you thats very helpful. Ovary pain was something I considered but the physio didn't find any..but Im never sure when shes in season anyway. Presumably that something you consulted the vet about?

Ive just lightly hacked her today, and it was ears pricked and happy all the way.

Definitely get the vet out. I'm not one of those that say absolutely every behavioural issue in horses is caused by pain, but equally horses don't suddenly decide to wind us up or 'be naughty' for no reason. In circumstances you describe where there's no obvious trigger to be making her afraid of her tack and it isn't that acting as she is is being positivity reinforced in some way, I'd say it's likely she's trying to tell you the tack is hurting her somewhere - it may be that the discomfort is particularly bad when you put the saddle or bridle on or that when she's warmed up and working her adrenaline and/or desire to please and do her job is pushing her through - only your vet can tell you really. Could well be hormonal/ ovaries as PP says, or ulcers, it's a myth that all ulcery-y horses get girthy, hind gut ulcers for instance sit further back so don't hurt them in the tummy area so much. Could even be poll pain or even eyesight issues if it's the bridle she's worried about - if only they could talk! I'd get a thorough work-up from the vet as lots of these things are easily treatable...

Yes, we are very lucky that our lameness specialist vet also is very experienced in reproduction, so had extensive knowledge. Our mare is so much happier now. We did also treat for ulcers without scoping, as felt certain coping with that much discomfort had undoubtedly caused other gut issues

Thank you for your advice. Honestly, if only they could talk, Im trying so hard to understand whats bothering her but the signals are so mixed. Vet booked.

Most definitely get a full vet work up by an experienced vet. The other people who have seen your mare are not a substitute for a vet. Ulcers/Ovaries/KS are all possibilities. I have had various chiropractors and physios over the years and all have missed major physical issues. They’re supplementary to horse welfare but not to be solely relied upon over a vet’s clinical analysis of your horse.

Thank you. Vet is already booked.