I have a ten year old mare who might have this. Either that or she is having some other hormonal problem. The vet is coming next week to do a ultrasound.
Symptoms: sudden personality change… I used to take her riding every few weeks… just throw her in the trailer and go. She was fine even being worked inconsistently. I’ve had her since she was a baby.
Within the last six months she has changed into a different horse.
My easy to ride mare, that goes off of the lightest aids suddenly could not focus. She exhibits very strong seasonal behavior combined with trying to kick or strike at other horses. In order to control her, I now have to use a whip, about fifty pounds of leg pressure, and jerk her in the mouth with the bit…
She has started rearing if separated. She used to separate with no reaction at all. If you stall her, to try and separate, she will try to kill herself. Today I tried her to the fence and she reared up and nearly hooked her leg over the rail, while two other horses were in sight.
We recently got in a new gelding. She won’t let my other mare near him. She charges the fence at him, and physically blocks my other mare from getting near him. After she tried to break the fence down, I’ve moved him to the far paddock, so there are three fences between them. Just leading her past him is difficult, as she wants to go after him.
She had one ride ride where towards the end of the ride she stopped and refused to move. She parked out like she needed to urinate but didn’t do anything. I ended up getting off and loosening the cinch.We were ten minutes away from the horse trailer and it was getting dark. She just refused to move. Finally she urinated a small amount, and I was able to walk her back to the trailer.
I’m actually becoming scared to handle her, as she is so unpredictable. I’ve had a few rides where she is good, usually when I ride by myself as there are no horses around to blow her mind.
Does this sound like a Granulosa theca cell tumor? She doesn’t mount other mares, but definitely arches her neck and prances like a stallion.
If it is a tumor how much does the surgery typically cost?
Ill try to upload a video of her behavior towards the gelding.
