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odd behavior or her just maturing?

2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  appylover31803 
#1 ·
Vega is 5 years old (will be 6 in March) and she used to be really spunky and spooky. Over the past 3 months she has really calmed down and has been a real mush ball. I thought it was due to the fact that she was not coming into heat as often, but she also got her butt kicked, and she is now low man out there (when she used to be the queen).

I'd prefer not to have to call the vet out, but will if anyone thinks it's 100% necessary.

Could she:
a. be calm because's not in heat?
b. be maturing?
c. her being low man out there have changed her completely?
d. could she have something seriously wrong with her?

She is still active, though she's not being ridden, but she is moving about. Her appetite is normal, she's drinking a normal amount of water as well.

anyone have any ideas?
I'm really thinking it's because she's getting older.
 
#2 ·
I would say it is because she is getting older and probably because her position in the herd has changed. I had a 6 y.o mare that was just as bossy and had the WORST manners and respect for any human. I worked and worked with her and got her past all the disrespect and stubborness but that still left her being hot headed and spooky about everything. That all happened when she was 2-4 years old. Around the time she turned 5 her attitude was quite a bit calmer, she was less spooky and not so hot headed. Then it really changed when I brought the mustang mare home. Lady the mustang kicked her butt and Pearl became the biggest sweetheart in the world. She was a sweet horse to begin with but she was spooky over the littlest things like a leaf blowing by that she had seen a million times before. I believe they calm with age and especially if they become lower on the totem pole for one reason or another. I know when I sold that 6 y.o mare she went to live with a older gelding and I know she has turned back into miss bossy pants with him as he never tried to push her around and show he was boss.

I do not think anything is wrong with her, as long as she is eating and drinking and pooping fine and still hanging out with the herd I would not worry about it to much.

I would say she might become a little more mareish when she does come into heat but it probably will be a lot less than what you know her to be.
 
#4 ·
Has her diet changed at all?? Hay?? Hard feed?? Amount of pasture if you have any that is??

Doesnt' sound like much to be worried about maybe HAPPY about though.. Iknwo I was so relieved when Sassy finally "grew up" and stopped the silly stuff
 
#5 ·
Well she is getting 1 quart of a pelleted feed 2x a day. I could get the name when I go out to feed tonight. She has access to a round bale, but if she's going to be in (like today) she gets hay in the am and pm. None of this has changed.

The only thing that has changed is the amount of time she is outside. She used to be out 24/7, but when the temps dropped to, i believe below 30 at night, they would come in.

She is always around Gem and Montana, though if Montana gets upset at Gem, she'll walk away. I think she has been bumped lower than before.

I just always knew Vega as the "crazy" horse, but she's been so calm, I was like "What happened to my crazy pony?" Glad to know that its just a part of her growing up. I'll report back in the spring when she comes back into heat.
 
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