2 year old filly and Regumate

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

I've previously posted about this in Breeding but not had much response so I thought I'd try here....

YO owner insists that my 2 yold WB filly has been in season all winter. She is stabled at night and turned out during the day and is the only female horse at the yard. The worst I've seen her do is 'wink' at the boys, never squirt or flirt at the fence line and she is a very constant 'nice person' with no moods and tart behaviour. The YO wants me to put her on Regumate but I think this is a bit excessive for a young horse.

I discussed this today with our vet who was out on yard visit and she suggested trying her on Regumate for 10 days to see if this 'sorted her out' into cycling regularly.

Personally I would prefer to see if the longer days and turning her out with an older mare works before jumping in with chemicals. She is not causing any distress to the geldings and she is not being a pain in the ***$** ........me thinks best left well alone....what are your views?

 

[Genesis]

Hi Ya - I've posted several times before about the virtues of Regumate..BUT I seriously think in your situation its not right for your little girl. I use it on a very sassy 10year old WB who has behavioural issues when shes in season. My Vet examined her internally before prescibing Regumate, checking for ovarian irregularities. When she starts on it I don't notice any difference in her behaviour for upto 3 weeks, then she polishes her halo and is loverly again. Hope this helps. D

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

Helps a lot, thank you. I see Regumate as a bit of a chemical cosh to fix something that isn't broken (yet). We have no behavioural issues and it is not causing a problem for others. We do have the odd moment but she is only 2 and she has never once pulled a nasty face and been unsociable.

Not sure why YO has a 'bee in her bonnet' about this as the filly is not causing a problem. Guess I will have to be big and brave and stand up to YO.....

Just need to find a mare to turn her out with!!

 

[AmyMay]

A lot of filly's go through a 'sexy' stage - and unless something is really amiss (which it doesn't sound as if it is), I'd leave well alone.

 

[Theresa_F]

I have only every resorted to using this with one mare who was very hormonal and to be honest, a pain to ride when in season to see if it helped - it didn't.

If your filly is just a happy tart - and I have had plenty of these sort of mares, I would tell the YO no way would I stuff her full of chemicals and if needs be find another yard.

I have had mares and geldings together for years with no problems - OH's mare keeps my gelding very much in his place but they adore each other and we never have any trouble.

I used to turn my hormonal WB out with Cairo as we found with him she was at her best as he was such a steady old chap with no interest in girls apart from a good groom. Being in a mare's field made her even more hormonal.

Unfortunately some people have no idea of mares and how to deal with them and think the tiniest sign of their sex is a problem.