Need help with a horse that is going crazy in her corral!!

[horse21]

Ok everyone, I need help with a situation I've been having with my 5 year old Mare who is usually really laid back in her corral. (It's 24x24 with a 12x12 three sided shelter.)

I am usually out during the day when it is really quiet at the barn and my mare is quiet and well behaved during this time. The few times I get out there at night she's usually like that too.

People at the barn have been telling me that over the past week or two my mare has been going crazy in the evenings. They say she's running around her little pen bucking, rearing and screaming. Apparently, it hasn't been happening every night but fairly often and when it does it's bad. Overall, she's not a spooky her and is pretty laid back. So, I don't think it's because she's spooking at something.

My biggest worry about this is I don't want her to have one of these tantrums when she is getting her blanket put on and hurt someone.
No one at the barn can figure out what's setting her off and the few nights I can get out there in the evenings she's mellow and quiet so I can't either.

Any ideas of what could be causing this or how to stop it?

TIA!

[Packy]

Sounds like she needs to be worked or excercised or turned out to play in a big place- maybe too many groceries also? They need a job if they a penned up. Hope this helps.

[reata]

Yes, I was thinking a little over fed and underworked too.. Or maybe its her way of getting warm .. Horses need to run around to get warm and that corral sounds awful small ..

[Scout]

Not sure where you're located but any chance of nocturnal predators/critters in the area at night that are worrying her (coyotes, big cats)? If she's quiet during the day and just does this at night could be the environment changes for some reason. Might be good to stick around a night or two and observe. Reducing rations and increasing work sounds like a place to start as well.

[Titania]

How often does she get to socialize with other horses? that would be the place I'd start...

[FrancaV]

I agree with Scout. I would try sticking around at night to see what's changed in the past week or two. This sounds like something more specific going on, not just lack of exercise or too many calories. Last time I heard of something like this (maybe it was here on the forum some time back?) it was due to a starting bell or gunshot relating to some evening activity nearby. It could be anything, but it really sounds like something worrying her, not boredom.

Unless ... it's happening specifically at feeding time and it's not really brand new behavior, just escalated behavior. I have seen some crazy stuff at feeding time in big barns where the horses are in small stalls and don't get out much. Does she have a new "neighbor" that maybe she doesn't care for as much as a previous one? Dislikes of this kind may not be apparent at other times of day and show up with a vengeance where food is involved. Ask me how I know.... ;) In any case, I don't think you will be able to solve this until you can see it for yourself. Just hearing about it second hand doesn't really give you enough information.