PMS mare

I rode Savannah for the first time in about a month today. I was going to trot and do a little jump (the size of an oxer) and maybe canter out..... but she had other plans. The jump was down so I walked her over it (she hoped over the fallen part) and trotted out. I went to trot over it and she went into a canter, throwing her head, really hard. She went into a full gallop, leaping and then she went bucking! She buck hard, galloped, twisted under the saddle, swerved, bucked reared up and galloped towards home. I finally got her to stop, and hopped off. My mom and cousin wear running behind me (i was on a trail). It was fun, but I was shaking when I got off of her. I was so pissed off at her and her attitude. I smacked her a few times and lunged her then I put her in the goat pen because she didnt deserve to go eat hay with her friend. Mom told me to take her out. And I didnt have a lead rope on her just her halter...... she took of trying to kick me and was bucking all over the place! She ran into the woods and my mom went and got her. Im done with this mare I don't know how to gain respect. Im thinking about sending her to a trainer. I couldnt believe her! She's never tired to buck me off before. But the feeling of her galloping under me was AWESOME! And my mom was so proud of me not coming off. I just jumped off so she couldnt go throw me into a fence. Im still a little upset with her. (really upset)

So what do I do!?! Any suggestions?

Okay need some more information. 1) how old is she and how much training does she have 2) what is her diet? 3) what is your experience, how long have you been riding, ever break a horse or train a young green horse? 4) why has it been so long since you rode her? 4) what kind of horse is she?

Thanks, I will try to suggest more after I get that info....be careful!

1.) she's 9.. She was broke to ride and was used as a lesson pony. 2.) Two cups a day of Triple Crown complete + supplements veggie oil and garlic powder, fescque hay 3.) Helped break two-year-olds, ridden green horses, and I've been riding around 3 years. 4.) Rain, and I have other horses I've had to work with. I do frequwntly work on the ground with her. 5.) Umm icelandic/welsh grade pony. I really don't know, but she's gaited and is 12.2 hands.

Could you be too big for her? 12.2hh is not very big at all... Maybe you've grown a bit in the time you haven't ridden her and she's acting up because her back hurts?

Just a thought. Good luck! =)

First of all, don't get upset because a horse has one bad day after you have not ridden her for a month. Not trying to be rude, but it's just not fair.

Here are the reasons why I think she's acting this way:

1)You haven't been on her for a month
2) You didn't longe her BEFORE you rode after she had been off for a month
3) You tried to jump her when she hasn't been ridden in a month
4) She has lost tons of muscle because she hasn't been ridden in a month, which contributes to why she refused to jump
5) Her back probably hurts because she hasn't been ridden in a month
6) She is a mare and she hasn't been ridden in a month

See a theme here? She just needs consistent work and I would suggest longing her before you get on for the next couple of weeks. I can almost guarantee you will have your old horse back.

I would wait to call a trainer. If you have handled her yourself thusfar, I think she will be fine once she's back in work. I had this problem with one of my horses (she had a stifle injury and had six months off). After a few weeks, she had her old attitude back. After a while off, horses tend to not understand why they are being pulled out of the pasture all of the sudden.

Didn't mean to sound harsh. We've all had frustrating rides!

Good luck and keep us updated on how Savannah does

Im 93 pounds, her limit is 115. I have come to conclude the saddle was on wrong and I does not fit her right so I have to get a new one that fits her. She still has a respect issue, any suggestions? She went of for 2 reasons and one was the saddle, on was to get me off her back.

Eventerdrew,

When I was not working on the ground with her, my mom worked with her... a lot. But Savannah has always had an attitude issue, from the first time I rode her, she took off and would not listen to any cues. I rode her bare back one day (around when I stopped riding her), and she took off galloping with head tossing and sort of leaping. I know she's got 'tude and all mares do, I just was hurt to think "my lil powniee" was that... pissy.

I have never lunged first, but before I rode today I did drive from behind her.

Longing is a very useful tool and if your mare is as "pissy" as you say, I think it would help her tremendously and possibly save you a broken bone or two! It allows the horses to get their "sillies" out before the rider gets on to avoid that behavior under saddle.

Another idea, have you ever considered whether or not she is cold backed? I have a mare now that if you get on her without longing her, she will do basically what your mare does... anything to get you off.

I know how frustrating it can be to have a horse that you love be "not so loving" towards you. I have a mare that is completely business all the time, no loving attitude.
Horses are still horses, and will always put themselves first. It's just their nature

Spend some time with her, without riding. Just lead her around on the trail, let her graze, work on ground manners, take treats for when she's being good, etc. Do NOT ride her until you get a saddle that fits her.

I would also would have an equine chiropractor out to visit her. She may be hurting besides just the ill fitting saddle.

DO NOT punish her AFTER bad behavior. That doesn't do any good as she doesn't know why you're punishing her. You can swat or reprimand her DURING a bad behavior, but not after. If she acts up like that again, you need to put her in a small area and keep working her until she behaves. Then praise her and quit.

Also, if she's on any grain, take her OFF. Any grain or feed products make my moody-mare much worse... She's on hay, hay pellets, flax, and a vitamin supplement now and she's doing much better .

Keep in mind that most mares are "thinking" horses. Like the old saying, "You can tell a gelding what to do, ask a stallion to do something, but you have to Discuss it with a mare." You can't just hop on most mares after not working with them for a month and expect them to be perfect, especially one you haven't had for years and aren't well bonded with.

Maybe because you haven't ridden her for a while, try lunging her for about 10-15 minutes before you ride, that usually calms my horse down alot.