MOODYMARE mellow out your


BY BOBBIE JO LIEBERMAN WEBER T


hroughout the history of do- mesticated horse breeding, the mare has been recognized as the linchpin of success. In the performance arena, however,


the female of the equine species has trod a somewhat rockier road. At times, sweet and cooperative and then perhaps witchy and unwilling, mares are legendary for behaving unpredictably. T eir inconsistency of tem- perament, frequently labeled “moodiness,” has also given them a reputation for being more diffi cult to work with than geldings or even stallions.


T ere are good reasons, however, why a mare may behave in ways that are unex- pected. T e same ebb and fl ow of hormones that give her reproductive and maternal ca- pacities can also present a unique challenge when it comes to training, performance and pleasure. Still, it is possible to have a rich, satisfying relationship with a mare. T e key is fi rst to understand the physiological forces that can infl uence her behavior and then take them into account as you establish a bond of mutual trust and respect that may help you both through her moody moments.


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