Do you have a “Moody Mare?”
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love discusses ways to handle moodiness in mares. The main concern is that the moody behavior may affect interactions with other horses, and impact performance at horse shows or events.
By understanding your mare’s specific needs, balancing her hormonal system, and addressing any physical discomfort, it becomes possible to improve her behavior and overall well-being. Similar to humans, horses can become irritable when in pain.
Episode Transcription
Expand to read more...
Lillian: Hi, this is Lillian. I’m here with April Love. I have a question about mares. It’s summer time. So they’re cycling.
We had an incident where we had a mare that was just being moody.
00:31:22
All the other horses she was with were geldings at the time.
00:31:26
And she just wanted to be horrible. What can I do to help this mare not be so moody?
April 00:31:33
So, you know, just like us when we’re in pain, you can be cranky and snappy.
00:31:38
You know?
00:31:39
So first I would try, you know, my horse yoga program just to make sure in her body that she’s more comfortable.
00:31:47
And I have a free horse yoga video, and they’re just five basic stretches to do every day.
00:31:53
So first, you know, I would do that.
00:31:56
I know that if they’re cycling really strong, I know some vets will put a marble in there which will kind of trick the uterus to think like they’re pregnant, so they’re not, you know, squirting and peeing and, you know, doing that in front of every gelding when you’re trying to at a horse show and you’re trying to get in the ring in there, squatting and presenting, you know, for a gelding or stallion next to them, it can be quite irritating.
00:32:21
I also know that Silver Lining Herbs has a really good product called Mare Moods.
00:32:27
It’s a moody mare supplement, and I’m not quite sure of all the ingredients.
00:32:32
I know Raspberry leaf might be in there because I’ve heard raspberry leaf is really good.
00:32:38
So first I would look at body issues and I do long-distance readings for viral, bacterial, what bones are out of alignment?
00:32:46
What does the horse need? Where do they have pain? You know, I would like to start with that first and balance their system before spending $75.00 on a moody mare supplement and you know, even using my yes-no kinesiology.
00:33:03
You know what would help this mare be happier and her body does.
00:33:07
Would a marble in the uterus or you know, the herbs, the Mare Moods or, you know, bodywork?
00:33:13
Or is it a combination of all three?
00:33:16
You know what can I do to help balance her hormonal system?
00:33:20
Because you know, I’ve known mares that had a horse show or event which is back you know, go out of their way to back up and kick another horse.
00:33:30
And that’s just so dangerous.
00:33:32
So yeah.
00:33:34
So, I would definitely do my horse yoga and make sure they can do the butt tucks.
00:33:38
The belly lifts all of that, make sure they’re comfortable in their body.
00:33:42
Try the mare moods and talk to your vet about if a marble inside you know, would be better for stabilizing them depending on how severe their cycling is and what’s out of balance in their body.
00:33:57
So I hope that helps you. I do have my free ebook which is Horseacademy101.com.
00:34:03
I also have on Amazon Horse 102 Holistic Alternatives with some essential oils and other products that you can try for issues like this. And of course my website is www.holistichorseworks.com. We’ll see you there.
Horse Yoga: A Foundation for Comfort
Just as we humans behave when we are in pain or discomfort, our horses can lash out, too. Horses can become cranky and snappy when they are uncomfortable physically or hormonally. Therefore, addressing any physical discomfort is the first step to take when addressing a “Moody Mare.”
Start with the horse yoga program and do it daily for 10 days to ensure the mare is comfortable in her body. Horse yoga involves a series of simple stretches that can be done daily to alleviate tension and discomfort. It is a proactive way to support the horse’s physical well-being, making them less likely to exhibit moody behavior. If your horse cannot easily do these stretches then there are deeper issues in their body that need therapeutic adjustments to correct skeletal misalignments.
Consider Using a marble
In some cases, mares may cycle quite strongly, leading to unwanted behaviors when in the presence of geldings or stallions. A unique solution that some veterinarians use—a marble placed in the mare’s uterus. This marble tricks the uterus into thinking it’s pregnant, which can help stabilize the hormonal fluctuations, making the mare less irritable during her cycle.
Mare Mood Supplement
Herbal supplements are a great way to get natural support for your horse. Mare Moods by Silver Lining Herbs contains raspberry leaf, known for its positive effects on female hormones in both humans and horses, along with other carefully selected herbs, that play a crucial role in supporting healthy and natural hormone balance. When hormones are regulated and in sync, a mare is more likely to exhibit a calm and amiable demeanor. In addition to hormonal balance, Mare Moods also provides essential support for the mare’s uterus and reproductive organs.
Get Help When You Need It
Dealing with a moody mare can be challenging for any horse owner. However, by taking a holistic approach to address the root causes of their moodiness, we can help our equine companions lead happier and healthier lives. If you’re feeling challenged with your horse’s health, get expert advice and valuable insight in a long-distance reading. With just a few pictures, Holistic Horseworks founder April Love can pinpoint the root of specific issues your horse may be experiencing.
Distance Reading for Horses
Are you wondering what is going on with your horse? Spending thousands $$ on saddle fit, mysterious colic, lameness, or other health concerns and just not get the answers you are looking for?
April has the intuitive ability to energetically scan the horse’s body to check for misalignments in skeletal and cranial bones and explain to you how to work on it yourself in her videos that are on watch instantly format. Also, the emotional side of the horse is addressed as well as asking the body if there are any bacterial or viral issues it is working on.
Are you ready to treat a wound in an emergency?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks, April retells a story about an incident in one of her clinics. Despite being told repeatedly to NOT tie the horse to the corral panels, one student did just that. When the horse spooked, the corral panel hit another student in the head and caused a small but bloody gash. While her students were wondering what to do, April stepped in to treat the wounded student.
Caring for Older Horses: Arthritis, Mobility, Nutrition, and Hooves
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love shares helpful practices for caring for older horses. She offers information not only about supporting the symptoms of arthritis but even more importantly, preventative measures to keep it at bay for as long as possible. April also shares many other useful tips for aging equines such as choosing healthy feed to keep on weight, the importance of daily stretching, and even hoof care.
How does your horse’s environment affect their mood?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, host April Love delves into the often unseen environmental factors that can significantly affect a horse’s behavior, mineral assimilation, and overall immune system. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, April sheds light on how power lines, water sources, and even natural elements like trees out in the pasture can impact a horse’s well-being.
Emotional Healing for Horses
Horse care is more than just the physical— there's also an emotional component. Emotions can it directly affects the horse's behavior, performance, and overall health. It's also important to consider how the emotions of the owner can affect the emotions of the horse, and vice versa.
The Importance of the First Rib in Horses
Join us in this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks with April Love as we explore the often-overlooked significance of the first mobility rib in equine anatomy. She sheds light on how misalignments of the first rib can lead to various issues with people such as thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, bursitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. So think about all the things it could be impeding your horse's freedom of movement in the front end. This is what starts the high-low hoof syndrome, horse not picking up right or left lead, mysterious lameness, kissing spine, behavioral issues, and even roaring in horses requiring expensive tie-back surgery.
Horses Grieve, Too. How to Help Them.
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April offers guidance on helping your horse cope with the loss of a pasture mate. Horse's herd is their family, and the absence of a companion can be deeply distressing. While it's natural to want to replace the lost companion immediately, April suggests giving your horse space to grieve and process their emotions.
Why won’t my horse pick up its hoof?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April, addresses a question about a horse that refuses to pick up one of its hooves. If the horse is avoiding putting weight on one hoof, the focus should be on understanding why it’s uncomfortable shifting its weight rather than forcing the hoof to be lifted.
Do you have a “Moody Mare?”
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love discusses ways to handle moodiness in mares during the summer when they are cycling. The main concern is that the moody behavior may affect interactions with other horses, and impact performance at horse shows or events. By understanding the mare’s specific needs, balancing her hormonal system, and addressing any physical discomfort, it becomes possible to improve her behavior and overall well-being. Similar to humans, horses can become irritable when in pain.
Young Horses With Cow-Hocked Posture
A cow-hocked horse refers to a conformational issue where the horse's hocks are positioned closer together than normal when viewed from the rear. We'll explore why this happens and discuss ways to address and prevent such issues for a healthier, sound, and rideable horse.
Black Horses That Fade Out in Summer
Does your black horse fade to brown in the summer? In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April discusses how the color change is likely due to a copper deficiency in the horse’s diet. She suggests feeding the horse Dynamite Liquid Trace Minerals once a week to provide the necessary copper and prevent the fading of its black coat.