Unwanted behavior in mares and fillies can have a significant impact on their performance across a range of equine competition events.

At the Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference, which took place June 4-9 in Melbourne, Victoria, Simon Robinson, BVSc, BScAgr, MANZCVSc, Dipl. ACT, of the Victorian Equine Group, discussed the most common types unwanted behaviors in female horses and ways to manage them.

“The types of behaviors that are commonly reported as ‘unwanted’ include aggression, sexual-like behavior, and resentment or unwillingness to work or perform,” he said. “All of these can have an adverse effect on training and performance at competition or racing, and can impact the safety of riders and handlers.

Robinson cautioned, however, that not all unwanted behaviors are actually abnormal