[kim156]

I was wondering if anyone else had a horse that gets the winter blues?

I have a 7 year old TB mare who can be slightly "mareish" all year round, but is basically easy, easy. No spook, will jump anything, loads, loves to show, can show in the 3' hunter division and turn around and take beginners in short stirrup classes. She even gets used for 6 weeks during summer camp and the kids love her.

However, right around the first of the year for approximately two months, she gets NASTY! I'm not sure if it's the cold, or the blankets that might be making her sore, or if it's just boredom of the indoor, but she does a Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde. She's mean on the cross ties, naughty when getting turned out and when she gets ridden ears go flat back and there is plenty of bucking involved!

There's nothing in her routine that changes during the winter other than the fact that we take a break from showing.

She's on Mare Magic and a supplement with Vitamin D because we thought it might help due to the shorter/darker days.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. This being my third winter with her I think I'm just going to give her a month off to be a horse and then start back up again in about 4 to 6 weeks.

[Gayla]

I was wondering if anyone else had a horse that gets the winter blues?

I have a 7 year old TB mare who can be slightly "mareish" all year round, but is basically easy, easy. No spook, will jump anything, loads, loves to show, can show in the 3' hunter division and turn around and take beginners in short stirrup classes. She even gets used for 6 weeks during summer camp and the kids love her.

However, right around the first of the year for approximately two months, she gets NASTY! I'm not sure if it's the cold, or the blankets that might be making her sore, or if it's just boredom of the indoor, but she does a Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde. She's mean on the cross ties, naughty when getting turned out and when she gets ridden ears go flat back and there is plenty of bucking involved!

There's nothing in her routine that changes during the winter other than the fact that we take a break from showing.

She's on Mare Magic and a supplement with Vitamin D because we thought it might help due to the shorter/darker days.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. This being my third winter with her I think I'm just going to give her a month off to be a horse and then start back up again in about 4 to 6 weeks.

I do know just what you are talking about. I think it might be the weather makes them creaky. I think my mare is cold and she hates it. I think that it makes her arthritis and general middle aged body feel worse. You could try a light on a timer for your girl and have it extend her daylight hours. You would at least know if it is the daylight hours that is bothering her. I hate the cold so I am all for the month off too.