I work as a stablehand at a stable with approx. 40 horses. Normally, I feel very comfortable around horses and I don't have any problems with the horses the other stablehands at my barn have trouble with. However, there is a mare at my barn who HATES me. She always pins her ears back at me whenever I walk by or clean her stall.I don't know why; I've done absolutely nothing to provoke her. Usually all she does is pin her ears at me- when I'm cleaning her stall, she goes to the opposite side and will move if I tell her to. It seems to be only ME that she hates though- I've seen other people around her and she doesn't do this. The last time I went there, I couldn't even bring myself to finish her stall. I was only mucking out near the doorway, but out of the corner of my eye I could see her nipping in my direction and several times it looked as though she was going to lunge forwards, then changed her mind and stayed back, so I didn't stay in there for very long. She was fine when I fed her that morning..I don't know why she's being so suddenly aggressive, I haven't done anything threatening towards her at all. Any advice on what I should do? I'm too nervous to go in there again.

talk to your trainer about it. Maybe he/she could pair you with a different horse and ask around to see about the horses new adituattitude

give her treats

Watch someone else do the same thing nd observe her behavior. Then have the person observe you while mucking etc. and see if there is anything at all that you may be doing differently, which the horse may react to.

It sounds like you remind her of someone who mistreated her in the past. I would catch her using a horse treat and put her out of the stall on cross ties while I cleaned her stall. She can easily pick up on your nerves and will be more likely to act negatively toward you at this point. Talk to the stable owner and see if someone will observe her while you interact with her--if they feel she is a problem then some change will need to be made. Good luck.

She is just testing you.

I worked with a mare just like this. The one time she bit me, she got elbowed in the muzzle (put in her place) and she was great after that. After establishing that her behavior would not be accepted by me, we were able to build a bond.

First off, if your having a problem with that horse and you don't feel safe around her talk to the owner of the stables and see if they will switch the schedule up. Like instead of having her, you trade with another stablehand. But before doing that why not try getting her to like you? Maybe spend more time with her, and try giving her carrots or apples- by hand. Pet her. Work slowly and try not to show your fear. She may see you as a threat. Or she just feeds off your nervousness. Speak calmly to her and no sudden movements. You really shouldn't be cleaning the stalls with the horses in there. That's how accidents happen. As a rule- via all the stables I've ever worked at or boarded my horses at- you put the horse in a paddock, attach a leadrope and tie it to the door (were they had hooks) or another stall while you clean it. Its dangerous to be cleaning a stall with a horse in it because they can be territorial. Not just that, they can get spooked, rear, corner you, charge you, or kick you. So next time just remove her from the stall. And is she in heat? She's a mare. They can become aggressive, territorial and irritable. So it could explain the sudden change in behavior. But her only doing it to you is a warning. Maybe see if there's another stablehand who feels uncomfortable with one of the horses they look after and switch? It can't hurt to try these. But I strongly suggest the following: pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

1. Remove the horse when cleaning the stall
2. Try spending time with her (feed her some apples/carrots/treats from hand. Pet her. Etc but that's if you can get close enough and if you don't think shed do anything.
3. Speak calmly
4. If there's a major problem talk to whoever runs the stables. Does anyone else feel unsafe with her?

Hope she stops the bad behavior and that your able to work with her!

The worst horse at the stables I had belonged to a handicapped girl. He was safe while she was on her when someone was holding the leadrope and her. But we had to keep him in shape and he bucked/reared/ran off/kicked/etc. When I went to buy a horse the owner of the stables tried selling him to me (I had ridden him before and could keep him in check) he ended up kicking another horse and rearing on a much older rider. And was unfit. So he was sold as greenbroke and went to a trainer. He can't be sold again and has to stay with the trainer. But sometimes you must realize when its unsafe and move on. Don't let your heart keep trying to work with her if its unsafe.