couple of questions about mares.....

[rafty]

My new pony is a mare. I have never had a mare before so am finding this a bit of a learning curve. Anyway, she has been a little bit stressy with handling during the past week (only had her a week yesterday). I have already had a thread to do with her stressy behavious. So, today I went and spent lots of time in her field with her, brushing her, stroking her, generally hanging out. This went well and she seemed very content.

When I was leaving she went straight up to the fence, and faced the field where another (very stressy mare) and started to squat and squirt. So of course she is coming into season. But whats interesting is, her worst behaviour is when this other mare is on the yard with her at the same time. I know that the owner has a lot of problems with her mare, as she is very aggressive and seems to always be in season and squirting all the other horses at any available chance. This other mare was actually living in a field with cows fo the past four years, completely unhandled as the owner was scared. My yo then bought her and sold her on to this novice owner after rebacking her for 2 weeks!!!

So I wondered if it is possible that there are cetain mares that can wind others up? Also any other tips you have on mares in season.

Thanks

 

[Izzwizz]

Yes I do think some mares can wind others up for sure. I also think that some are more in tune with their hormones than others too. I have had 3 mares and my current one is definitely more of a mare than the other 2 I owned. She is fed NAF Oestress which does seem to help things and she has this all year round. She did have a foal before I owned her so probably accounts for her marey moments - though these aren't that bad to be honest. Shes not a squirty sort but we did have a pony living with us for a couple of weeks over Easter, she was a pain in the bum, constantly calling to eachother and she was generally stressy. It all settled down when the pony went back home.

If you speak to your Vet they may be able to recommend something like Regumate. Your pony will probably settle down in time. Could the other mare be moved elsewhere? All I would say is persevere, I have a mare and a gelding, they have very different characters but I would say a mare is like a best mate once you get the relationship between you going. They can be very lovable and loyal, (having said that my gelding is pretty much the same). As for the being in season time, if yours doesnt mind being ridden, then ride lots to settle her down and take her mind away from her hormones, try Oestress or something else likewise and above all enjoy her, you need to remember you are dealing with an entire horse which is not the case with a gelding.

Good luck x