Mare acting like a stallion

[Hormonal Filly]

I moved yards 10 days ago, my 5yo mare has always been on individual turnout since buying as a 3yo.

Its lovely she finally has 2 friends turned out with her. Problem is she has become absolutely obsessed with one mare.

This other mare squirts and backs up like my mare is a stallion. My mare also doesn't like the other (3rd) mare near her friend. Shes screaming when they're separate and getting herself in a state. Bringing her in has been a challenge.

I've read it can be normal for some mares, I've put her back on Chasteberry.

I'm keeping her to her routine. Anyone else experienced similar?

Said worried owner hoping as she settles in more, it passes..

 

[blitznbobs]

It can be normal or can be sign of ovarian disease - id scan her ovaries and get her checked over

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It could be because she has been on her own for so long as it sounds more like a separation anxiety rather than stallion behaviour, it's only been 10 days they might just all settle over time.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

It could be because she has been on her own for so long as it sounds more like a separation anxiety rather than stallion behaviour, it's only been 10 days they might just all settle over time.

Its like separation anxiety over this one horse. The other mare she has no interest in but grazes next to her. She literally gallops across the field to see this special mare, then said mare squirts in her face and backs up to her. My mare seems rather interested, almost like my riggy gelding.

Will see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Caol Ila]

My old mare was problematically posessive of other horses when turned out in a group. Vet could not find anything physically wrong with her ovaries or anything like that. But she would act 'studdish,' almost, pawing at and pooping on poop piles, and she would aggressively chase off any horse who got too close to her horse. She would stick to her horse like glue. She would also herd horses away from their humans, which did not make other owners very happy. She was respectful enough of humans that someone confident could shoo her off, but there were a few novicey owners who were unable to manage that.

The horse had been on invidividual turnout from age 2, when her previous owner bought her from a breeder, to age 7, when I bought her. I gave her a good year to settle in a herd and maybe learn some social skills. It became apparent that this was not going to happen, and she spent most of the next 20 years on individual turnout. It wasn't ideal, but it was less stressful for everyone.

She could also have really strong seasons. For one week per month during the spring, she was no fun to handle or ride. Every mare is so different - there are plenty who don't lose the plot when they come into season, but she was not one.

There was another mare at the yard who started acting studdish, mounting other mares and so on, and it turned out that she did have an ovarian cyst. That happens too.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks @Caol Ila that is interesting, sounds similar and if I'm honest I'm a bit worried she won't settle but keep reminding myself its early days.She was always settled when on individual turnout and she has always been able to groom others over a low fence in my ownership, but was in a herd before I bought her.

She could also have really strong seasons.

I know mine also has strong seasons because she becomes very sassy and opinionated, I wrote down when she was due a season all last summer because she would be so difficult to ride. Did you ever try regumate? I like the fact she has friends, I've just never seen a horse so obsessive over one specific other. Its not good when they're getting themselves in such a state.

I'll call my vet for a chat if shes still the same next week.

 

[Caol Ila]

The horse may settle in time. Before you bought her, was she with a big herd or a small herd? Mixed or single sex? All of that can make a huge difference to herd dynamics. When my current mare was in a smaller herd, she was like a magnet for horses who wanted to glue themselves to another horse. Maybe because of her winning personality. I don't know. She didn't care all that much, but it drove me crazy because I would have to squeeze her out of gates without letting her paparazzi out with her. Now she is in a herd of 15 and doesn't seem to have this problem.

Others don't function in large herds at all but are fine in small groups.

Did you ever try regumate? I like the fact she has friends, I've just never seen a horse so obsessive over one specific other. Its not good when they're getting themselves in such a state.

I never did. It costs an arm and a leg and it's a pain to handle if you are female, so I didn't bother. Just lived with it. However, I had some success with St. John's Wort and (don't slag me off for this, forum), homeopathic stuff called Tiger Lily C30. It did not make the in season bonkers behaviour completely disappear, but it made her a bit more manageable and less nuts.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

big herd or a small herd? Mixed or single sex?

Herd of at least 5, mixed sex before I bought her. All quite young by all accounts. She was pretty much just left in a field until they bought her in to take photos and sell. They actually sent videos of her coming away from the herd though, relaxed, no bother. There is another field I could put her in, about 8 in there but its mostly just rutty mud so chose the smaller herd option.

I called my vet, he said to see how she is in a week. If she is still the same he wants to come and do a swab.. (poss 3rd insurance claim in the last 3 months) so will see how things go.

 

[Caol Ila]

Your vet is probably right. Give it a bit of time. She may settle and stop acting upset about the other horse. I have seen horses (not mine!) who have been on individual turnout become clingy and a mess of separation anxiety when moved into a herd. Like they don't want to ever lose their friends again. With time, they have chilled out.

That said, if she does not settle in the small group, perhaps think about the bigger one? In a group of three, it looks as if the herd is going to disappear when an owner removes a horse, whereas in a group of 8, that isn't the case unless 6 owners show up at once.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Fast forward a month. I moved my mare into the other mares field (3 weeks ago now) because some stay out 24/7 and it would suit and keep her settled more.

Had no problems.. but she has made friends with another mare and it’s started again. The obsessing over one horse, panicking when she’s alway from it. The other mare is in season, same as what happened last time. I’m guessing season related as a month since it last happened. seriously considering regumate or selling.. buying a gelding!

 

[shortstuff99]

Has she had her ovaries scanned? I knew a mare that acted very stallion like and she had a tumour on one ovary and an under grown other ovary so was getting no female hormones only testosterone. With the tumour removed she is fine now.

 

[Jenko109]

Is there no option for individual turnout just for a few months?

Then she could go in with the herd later in the year once the mares are no longer coming into season.

 

[catembi]

I had one that was acting like a stallion, very possessive over my other mare, trying to mount her, very aggressive in general... She had a granuloma tumour on her ovary & when they removed it, it was the size of a football & weighed 15lb... Her behaviour returned to being ordinary within about 6 weeks of its removal. I got bored with her as she wasn't so aggressive jumping & sold her!

 

[Lexi 123]

If I being honest it sounds more like separation anxiety than a tumour. Some mares don’t really work in herds because of attachment issues. I have mare like this it’s a nightmare because they get better and the anxiety stops but you end back to square 1.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

If I being honest it sounds more like separation anxiety than a tumour. Some mares don’t really work in herds because of attachment issues. I have mare like this it’s a nightmare because they get better and the anxiety stops but you end back to square 1.

She’s been ok for the last month, it’s just when her season comes

 

[Hormonal Filly]

So last night she destroyed all her electric fencing and got in with the 6 mares which caused a stir (put her back in a paddock on her own with 2 next door and the herd at the side and she decided to get in with the herd)

She’s in season.. (writing down the dates worked!) today have bought a new battery and this evening she was stood squirting getting excited over the mares sniffing her over the fence! I’m guessing that’s when she jumped out. Is that a normal thing?

 

[shortstuff99]

The squirting and getting excited is pretty normal, one of mine is currently obsessed with a new horse at the yard and is squirting everywhere .

 

[magicmoments]

Is there no option for individual turnout just for a few months?

Then she could go in with the herd later in the year once the mares are no longer coming into season.

If only it were true, that they don't come into season during the winter. Mine was in early January.

 

[Palindrome]

Yes squirting, smelling, pawing are normal behaviour.
I would just ignore it, it will probably settle down at the end of Summer. The first seasons of the year are often a bit more marked and she will be unsettled/unsecure from the move. Just meeting new horses/moving yard can bring a mare in season.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks all, appreciated.

Yes squirting, smelling, pawing are normal behaviour.
I would just ignore it, it will probably settle down at the end of Summer. The first seasons of the year are often a bit more marked and she will be unsettled/unsecure from the move. Just meeting new horses/moving yard can bring a mare in season.

I think it’s best she stays in a paddock on her own (providing she doesn’t jump out) for the summer or she just gets stupidly clingy during her season to random mares.

Thanks all.. lots to learn owning a mare!