I have witnessed really good horses do some awful things when 1. They think they can get away with being dominant, they are animals and it is natural for them to try to establish this 2. When forced into a situation that does not allow them the space to establish this pecking order (forced to live the majority of their time sharing a 15-20ft space with 2-3 other animals, including feed time) this can cause the best of horses to become an irritable bundle of nerves. 3. They will act out when they need or want extra attention. It does not matter if it is negative or positive, it still makes you interact with them. This is most common in horses that do not have other pasture mates.
I think the first applies to your situation. Don't think for one moment that your state and body language isn't easily interpreted by your horse. Something as simple as backing away so your belly isn't within her striking area is seen as being submissive. Regardless of my condition, I have never allowed one of mine to get the best of me. I had a colt that was almost two, it was a constant knock down drag out with him,constantly coming at me when I was turned. Correct him, worked him, praised for good behavior, twenty minutes later it was back to square one, very hormone driven, he was gelded, it was not worth keeping him intact. All behavior subsided. He went on to be and still is a wonderful youth show/ driving gelding.of course, this is not an option, but the point being, between horsie hormones and our own body language.....we can sometimes end up with a wicked mix. For the time being, it may be best to find someone to work with her. Out of curiosity, did you give her a lot of time off during the winter and are now trying to reestablish the handling schedule?
