Covering in field

[ktj1891]

My mare has been put out in field today with stallion and two other mares. She's in season and been firting but he has mounted her twice and she keepings bucking him off. She's maiden and been running around a lot. Is there a reason why she's flirting but then saying no?

 

[AmyMay]

Cos she's maiden, not ready??

 

[ktj1891]

Will she get the idea eventually? Sounds like a stupid question but do they cover through the night as well?

 

[ktj1891]

Anyone?

 

[RhaLoulou]

In my experience mares that were to turned out with a stallion were covered first in hand and then turned out with the stallion makes sense really especially if either or both animals are novices. As to whether they carry on all night I really can't help!

 

[JanetGeorge]

The fact that he's mounting her suggests she IS ready - just a bit frightened at a big lump landing on her back. My maidens are all covered in hand - so rarely a problem - but I did have one sit down (and refuse to get up until he was taken away!) Is she trying to kick him?

 

[ktj1891]

Um I wasn't there so not sure it was described as bucking him off but at the same time flirting but then saying no? Will she come around eventually?

 

[Faithkat]

- but I did have one sit down (and refuse to get up until he was taken away!)

LOL! Wonderful subject for a cartoon!

 

[Spring Feather]

I used to breed quarter horses and they are almost exclusively pasture-bred. I have seen what you are saying a number of times, it's been when the mare is in heat but not quite yet receptive to the stallion. She's basically teasing him! The mare should allow him full access once she is closer to ovulation. If for some reason she doesn't then you may need to cover in hand on the next cycle.

 

[ktj1891]

Ohrite I see that sets my mind at rest a little. Hopefully she will be more settled over the next few attempts but as you said may need to try in hand next cycle.

 

[JanetGeorge]

LOL! Wonderful subject for a cartoon!

I just wish I'd taken a picture. It was a scream - he lowered his front end, trying to work out how he could do it - shook his head - and got up again! Thankfully he has the most wonderful temperament and didn't take offence!

But she's remained a cowbag to cover - we've AI'd her the last 2 years!

 

[Alexart]

I've never pasture bred a maiden - we've always covered in hand first to make sure they get the idea as most maiden mares have never seen a stallion let alone know what is expected!! So in hand is the usual way for a stud to introduce a stallion safely and it helps reduce injuries to both parties.
She maybe bucking him off as she has no idea what's going on, or she is not receptive and the stallion is too keen and maybe young so trying his luck?
If it were my mare I'd insist on an inhand covering first then let her run with the stallion as she could continue to do this even when in full season and you miss this chance to cover, it also may make the stallion frustrated and attack her which I have heard of before especially if in a small herd with only one mare in season! It's not a very responsible thing to do imo!!

 

[Enfys]

Completely natural, most of my mares are covered at pasture.

But ....

1) I have no hard and fast rules. We do whatever works for all concerned.

2) I do try them first and only when they are receptive do they go in together and stay together until nature runs its' course. Generally they settle, eat, boink, eat, sleep, boink some more.

3) I know my stallion. I have an extremely mannerly, polite, and submissive stallion, he chats them up, says please, and thankyou and as he is used to looking after himself, when a mare tells him to take a hike, he does just that.

4) I always put them together in the morning, it gives them plenty of time to settle, and I observe, closely. If the mare is not ready, or is not happy then they exit the honeymoon suite and go their separate ways.

5) I cover maidens in hand first if they are a bit shy, then let them run together.

I had one maiden who decided to take things into her own hands as it were, she jumped a stockwire fence in with the man of her choice. Twice. Tart.

An aggressive stallion can frighten a maiden and make her a shy breeder (and shy breeders often turn into kickers when other horses come up behind)

ktj1891 She will stand when she is ready

and OH Yes, they do boink through the night.

Zeus had a mare in with him earlier this season and they were at it like rabbits, that mare is a sex maniac
Poor Zeus was exhausted and actually stood at the gate begging to come in.

We had tried them in hand, she threatened to kick his teeth down his throat, moments later, in the paddock she was reversing underneath him. Go figure.

 

[ktj1891]

Oh that makes me feel better. Hopefully she will get the idea soon and comply. Fingers crossed!

 

[Rollin]

I want to echo what Enfys has said. In the UK many Cleveland Bay breeders runs stallions with their mares.

Last time we put her in foal (now 3 months old) we put Rosemary with Arthur before she came into season. One morning there was mayhem with him chasing her round the field - she was not having it but is well able to take care of herself.

The next day she was happy to stand for him. However, in view of his endless enthusiasm for the task I did bring them in each day for a few hours so she could have a rest!!!

 

[mynutmeg]

Completely natural, most of my mares are covered at pasture.

But ....

1) I have no hard and fast rules. We do whatever works for all concerned.

2) I do try them first and only when they are receptive do they go in together and stay together until nature runs its' course. Generally they settle, eat, boink, eat, sleep, boink some more.

3) I know my stallion. I have an extremely mannerly, polite, and submissive stallion, he chats them up, says please, and thankyou and as he is used to looking after himself, when a mare tells him to take a hike, he does just that.

4) I always put them together in the morning, it gives them plenty of time to settle, and I observe, closely. If the mare is not ready, or is not happy then they exit the honeymoon suite and go their separate ways.

5) I cover maidens in hand first if they are a bit shy, then let them run together.

I had one maiden who decided to take things into her own hands as it were, she jumped a stockwire fence in with the man of her choice. Twice. Tart.

An aggressive stallion can frighten a maiden and make her a shy breeder (and shy breeders often turn into kickers when other horses come up behind)

ktj1891 She will stand when she is ready

and OH Yes, they do boink through the night.

Zeus had a mare in with him earlier this season and they were at it like rabbits, that mare is a sex maniac
Poor Zeus was exhausted and actually stood at the gate begging to come in.

We had tried them in hand, she threatened to kick his teeth down his throat, moments later, in the paddock she was reversing underneath him. Go figure.

this made me laugh

 

[ktj1891]

***UPDATE*** My Mare was initially put in field to cover with Stallion after showing signs on 1st June and as I said she is a maiden mare and she let him mount her three times but when he went to put his bits "in" she said no. She stayed out with him the night with two other mares and by 2nd June she was not interested so we think she was right at the end of her season. Fast forward today and by my calculations she should be back in season by next weekend 22nd June.

So what should we be looking out for next week to catch her at her optimum time of cycle. She is kept in a paddock opposite stallion so will she hang around gate and be looking for stallion when she is coming in?

We will walk her along stallions paddock but I do not know when to start this next week, should I start around mid week next week?

The plan is soon as she shows again to put her in paddock with stallion let them get aquainted and if shes still not being completely willing then to catch her and let him cover her while we are holding her.

 

[AmyMay]

Can you just leave her out with the stallion?

 

[Jools2345]

do the people that own the stallion have any idea on what they are doing so they can give you some guidance?

what type of mare/stallion are they?
has he been used before?
and how old are they?

 

[ktj1891]

what type of mare/stallion are they? My mare on breeding contract and traditional stallion
has he been used before? His first year at stud he has covered other two mares so far
and how old are they? He's rising 4 and she's 11

 

[Jools2345]

have the owners of the stallion been involved in much breeding before?

or are you the owner of the stallion?

it just i would have thought they would be the best people to speak too

 

[ktj1891]

Owner of stallion is new to breeding this year and she is away next weekend so will be sort of helping while she is away. I am based at same place so eager to learn and help. Just looking for extra advice.

 

[JanetGeorge]

***UPDATE*** My Mare was initially put in field to cover with Stallion after showing signs on 1st June and as I said she is a maiden mare and she let him mount her three times but when he went to put his bits "in" she said no. She stayed out with him the night with two other mares and by 2nd June she was not interested so we think she was right at the end of her season. Fast forward today and by my calculations she should be back in season by next weekend 22nd June.

So what should we be looking out for next week to catch her at her optimum time of cycle. She is kept in a paddock opposite stallion so will she hang around gate and be looking for stallion when she is coming in?

We will walk her along stallions paddock but I do not know when to start this next week, should I start around mid week next week?

The plan is soon as she shows again to put her in paddock with stallion let them get aquainted and if shes still not being completely willing then to catch her and let him cover her while we are holding her.

Oh dear, this does sound like the blind leading the blind.

1. How do you know he didn't 'get his bits in' overnight - if a stallion can mount a mare but NOT gain entry, it might suggest he's incompetent (my big old stallion has managed entry without assistance about once in the last 10 years but has plenty of progeny.) If he DID manage overnight, she might be in foal - might have been an idea to scan her.

2. Some maidens have serious problems with natural cover - it's not common but just the other day we had one (for AI) whose hymen was so tough the vet struggled to get through it with mare sedated and in stocks and couldn't reach the cervix due to a severe stricture. No WAY would she have stood for natural cover, which would have caused her pain at least - if not fatal injury.

 

[Jools2345]

Owner of stallion is new to breeding this year and she is away next weekend so will be sort of helping while she is away. I am based at same place so eager to learn and help. Just looking for extra advice.

ok how tall is mare and how tall is stallion?

 

[ktj1891]

ok how tall is mare and how tall is stallion?

Okay I'm confused why that matters? Stallion is about 13.2 and made made is 14.2hh.

Another question would appreciate answers I went up to check my mare today and I was scratching her tests she loves it and she was expressing like a clear fluid loads of it when I tugged her teets. What could that be?

 

[JanetGeorge]

Another question would appreciate answers I went up to check my mare today and I was scratching her tests she loves it and she was expressing like a clear fluid loads of it when I tugged her teets. What could that be?

You sure she's not in foal? Actually it's not unusual for non-pregnant mares to have clear liquid in the udder (in pregnant mares it precedes milk formation.) I WOULDN'T milk her though - it will encourage her to produce more and there is a risk of infection/mastitis.

 

[ktj1891]

You sure she's not in foal? Actually it's not unusual for non-pregnant mares to have clear liquid in the udder (in pregnant mares it precedes milk formation.) I WOULDN'T milk her though - it will encourage her to produce more and there is a risk of infection/mastitis.

Well I am slightly worried now as she went to someone last year to cover but her stallion was unexpectedly pts and and she assured me they never managed to cover her but if my memory is right she went there like aug/ sept time she dates wouldn't add up anyways! And she was only been with my gelding otherwise. I won't continue to squeeze them I was just generally shocked as I occasionally scratch her teets as she loves it and that has never happened in the 7 years i have owned her.

What could clear fluid be a sign of though without being pregnant?

 

[Jools2345]

Okay I'm confused why that matters? Stallion is about 13.2 and made made is 14.2hh.

I am asking the questions to get a better picture of what is going on for everyone who reads this with a view of trying to offer some advice, if mare was 16hh and stallion was 13hh (or the other way round) it would be relevant!

stallion is not proven yet is my understanding so inexperienced stallion with maiden mare, my knowledge on breeding is fairly limited but I would suggest covering in hand to avoid any injuries to mare or stallion. at least fora few coverings for this stallion. you will be able to make sure he knows his job and is being accurate rather then frustrated-i stand to be corrected by those with more knowledge.

i would also suggest asking more experienced people to be there in person to see what is going on.

a friends mare was sent to stud yrs ago and was supposed to be covered in hand the owner of the stud got a call 2 days later as the mare had been severely damaged by an inexperienced and frustrated stallion when she was turned out with him, she had to be put down there was nothing that could be done.

 

[ktj1891]

Anyone?

 

[ktj1891]

Anyone?

Ah okay he has covered two mares now so obviously still very new to it but he knows what to do as such! Now I am wondering about clear fluid from teets!?