NF mare

[freyasmum]

I have a little mare who is 7yrs old, very intelligent!!!! She is very green, been backed, but that's all! She is quite mareish and opinionated!, she has been pushed from pillar to post until she come to me now for 6 months, I have allowed her to settle in with my other mares, she appears very happy here, she is fab to be caught, feet, farrier etc, will lunge, long line, free school, we have played games, etc, but as soon as I bring TACK, she turns into a witch! I'm a big fan of IH, have tried advance retreat, asking, sniffing, I'm at present doing a clicker training course, she loves it! Head lowering, targeting, And I have 'just' got the numnah and saddle on, not girthed up tho, she has bitten me, swishes her tail, cat like, swings her hind quarters round! I had had all checks done, back, teeth, brand new saddle for her! I will just point out tho that when she came to me, she hadn't had her teeth done for 3 yrs were long sharp and a mouthful of ulcers! This was seen to immediately, but I cannot get a bit in her mouth either, or even a wormer! Have tried everything! Sorry if this is long and garbled, just need some help and advice! I am too nervous to ride her as she will buck, so I'm longlining etc at mo! I just wonder if I just need to do more each day until she just gets used to it all! My friends will ride her in a Bitless bridle, happy hacking but messing around in school! So she not been ridden now for about 6 weeks as I wanted to go right back to basics with her, am I doing right? Any advice appreciated

[rubydoo]

if she confortable and teeth and back are fine i think shes just being difficult sensing that you will give in before she will , she obvs very intelligent you will prob have to be a bit firmer with her.
id take the saddle with the attitude that it is going on! and being girthed up ! when you've done this remove it again , do this a few times a day so she's not thinking anything other than your going to take it off again.
i would start to long rein her in tack for a few days and then get on after when she's being responsive and is relaxed.

with the bridle id be a bit more sympathetic as she will asssociate it with pain . try a happy mouth snaffle , once she's had it in a few times im sure she will understand theres no pain involved and become easier.
also a chance shes just being a mare lol

hth

[conniecolt]

I feel for you we also have a NF chestnut mare 7yo and not got to the bottom of her yet.
Most fantastic jumper but has always bucked in school not really at shows.
We have o far tried all sorts of products to calm her but nothing yet as really worked, she does seem better turned out all the time and we are just about to restart her now. The only thing I can say to you is if you are a bit scared of her don't do it yourself because she will know and may take the mick. Get someone who is kind, caring but firm to deal with her so that she is safe and happy to be ridden by you and you feel happy to ride her.

[freyasmum]

Thanks for your help and advice! This is exactly what I'm thinking!! I perhaps am not as confident around her as I should be! Half of me wishes I could find her an experienced home, but I'm not sure I could part with her!, she has fantastic breeding, and fabulous conformation she could go far! I will plod on for a while! Thanks again x