26. Feeding ‘Marey Mares’: What to Feed and Avoid for Behaviourally Challenging Mares

Join Dr. Nerida as she tackles a listener question about feeding “marey mares” — those behaviourally expressive, sensitive, frequently moody, often brilliant mares. This solo Happy Horse Nutrition episode explores why behaviour challenges in mares are rarely caused by specific feed ingredients — and are almost always rooted in gut health, management, or pain.What You’ll Learn:• Why hindgut health is THE most important nutrition factor in mare behaviour 🐴• How the gut-brain axis influences temperament via dopamine and B-vitamin production 🧠• Why feeding hay before riding is non-negotiable for sensitive mares• The 3 things all mares need for stable mental health• How mycotoxin contamination (especially zearalenone in corn 🌽) wreaks hormonal havoc• Why pain (feet, ovaries, saddle fit) must be ruled out first before blaming the feed• The right way to test individual ingredients when sensitivities are suspected• And why your own energy might be mirroring back through your mare’s behaviour 🪞Dr. Nerida shares how her own anxious horses transformed through life changes, not supplements — and reflects on 25 years in the field, where true ingredient sensitivities are exceedingly rare (just 3 for alfalfa, 1 for soy!).🎧 Ideal for mare owners navigating grouchiness, grooming drama, or hormonally “hot” behaviour. Get the real framework for fixing it — starting with pain, gut health, and feeding management, not guesswork.📲 Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324🤖 Ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-aiIf this episode helped you or your mare, please leave a review! It helps more horses benefit from grounded, science-based feeding advice. ❤️