Mare broncing after jumps - in season

[dolloe]

I jumped my mare yesterday and she was broncing after every jump coming away from her “boyfriend”. So she would jump it, land in canter and bronc and come to a stand still. She was fine with jumps going towards her “boyfriend” and “home”. I think she’s coming into season as she’s got stuff on her back legs and is uncomfortable in her back to tack up but she is not yet showing any of the other signs.

Is this normal? I’ve never jumped her when she’s in season before but it correlates to how she is on the flat when in season - grumpy, doesn’t want to go forward, refusing to canter, crabby.

She was also a lot more head-tossy yesterday. I put it down to perhaps being uncomfortable in the back due to season but also me not allowing her to jump and just working on the circle - this settled the more work I did to be fair

 

[JBM]

How old is she?

 

[dolloe]

She’s 5

 

[JBM]

She’s 5

I’ve heard mares can be worse there first couple of seasons
Do you have her on anything for her season?
I wouldn’t rule out pain such as possibly a cyst on her ovaries but a vet would know much better than me!

 

[dolloe]

She’s got better on the ground during her seasons, which is a good thing. I don’t have her on anything. She was on Oestress but I ran out and wanted to see if it made any difference and she was just the same off it as she was on it.

Okay so you recommend getting a vet out to scan her?

 

[ycbm]

uncomfortable in her back to tack up but she is not yet showing any of the other signs.

I'm sorry but I have to question why you are riding, never mind jumping, a horse that is clearly uncomfortable to have a saddle put on her back?

She sounds as if at the very least you need to try Regumate, which can only be prescribed by your vet. And if that doesn't work then an ovary scan.
.

 

[JBM]

She’s got better on the ground during her seasons, which is a good thing. I don’t have her on anything. She was on Oestress but I ran out and wanted to see if it made any difference and she was just the same off it as she was on it.

Okay so you recommend getting a vet out to scan her?

I would just to double check as it’s strange she’s still being as reactive in her seasons when we are coming near to autumn
Usually they’re most upset when their seasons start up again
Vet will be able to have a better look over her as she definitely sounds like an unhappy girl over something!
Hopefully you find a solution bronking can be terrifying..for me anyway!

 

[Miss_Millie]

I don't think it's fair to ride a mare in season. It would be like asking a lady on her period to do strenuous exercise, whilst also wearing a tight belt around her cramping tummy (the girth), and carrying the weight of someone on top of all that. If you know she is cycling and that she's uncomfortable, simply don't ride her for a few days.

 

[greenbean10]

I would just hack her out or do some gentle work, then try jumping again in a week or so and see if she’s better!

 

[Abi90]

I don't think it's fair to ride a mare in season. It would be like asking a lady on her period to do strenuous exercise, whilst also wearing a tight belt around her cramping tummy (the girth), and carrying the weight of someone on top of all that. If you know she is cycling and that she's uncomfortable, simply don't ride her for a few days.

I agree that asking a mare that is sore in season, and is telling you that, is unfair.

however its a proven fact that for human females that exercise, strenuous or otherwise, reduces cramps and boosts “happy hormones” to cheer you up when you’re feeling low.

I doubt if studies have been done to see if this is the same for horses but this isn’t a useful “how would you feel?” Because the answer is for most women that they would feel better for exercise.

Also a mare in season isn’t in the same stage of her cycle as a menstruating woman. They are in season in the ovulating/luteal phase of their cycle

 

[Miss_Millie]

I agree that asking a mare that is sore in season, and is telling you that, is unfair.

however its a proven fact that for human females that exercise, strenuous or otherwise, reduces cramps and boosts “happy hormones” to cheer you up when you’re feeling low.

I doubt if studies have been done to see if this is the same for horses but this isn’t a useful “how would you feel?” Because the answer is for most women that they would feel better for exercise.

Also a mare in season isn’t in the same stage of her cycle as a menstruating woman. They are in season in the ovulating/luteal phase of their cycle

Every woman has an individual experience with her cycle. I become extremely fatigued during ovulation, and experience worse cramps during this time than when I bleed. If I were to force myself to exercise when I felt like this, I would most likely pass out. There's also a difference between choosing to exercise vs. being forced to by someone else. Autonomy is the key difference here.

 

[dolloe]

She is booked in for a scan of her ovaries to rule any issues out there.

 

[JBM]

Every woman has an individual experience with her cycle. I become extremely fatigued during ovulation, and experience worse cramps during this time than when I bleed. If I were to force myself to exercise when I felt like this, I would most likely pass out. There's also a difference between choosing to exercise vs. being forced to by someone else. Autonomy is the key difference here.

I think it depends on the mare
Personally haven’t had one sore yet..I couldn’t even tell you when their seasons are to be honest but I know some mares and it’s blatantly obvious when they’re in season and feeling the effects

 

[Darkstar11]

My mare is very sensitive when she comes into season in the spring (after this I can’t tell). I tend to either give her the time off if she tells me she’s uncomfortable or we just do a little walk out on the buckle end to stretch her legs.

I found that before I understood what she was telling me, when I did ride her and she would just be a nightmare, bucking, bronking, napping, planting, reversing…

I know now at the point I get her bridle. She loves work so when she hid at the back of her stable, I knew she was in pain. I found that Angus castus has helped but more so, a few days off, then back to it really helps her. I get bad periods so maybe I just sympathise with her too much haha

 

[Sossigpoker]

If she's sore in the back and tossing her head , this means there's pain and I wouldn't assume it's anything to do with seasons.
You should get a good vet our to look at her and take it from there

 

[Abi90]

Every woman has an individual experience with her cycle. I become extremely fatigued during ovulation, and experience worse cramps during this time than when I bleed. If I were to force myself to exercise when I felt like this, I would most likely pass out. There's also a difference between choosing to exercise vs. being forced to by someone else. Autonomy is the key difference here.

I agree that exercising a mare that is showing clear signs of discomfort is unfair.

I just don’t think comparing a horse’s reproductive cycle to that of a human’s is helpful. And yes, whilst everyone’s individual experience is different but the majority of women benefit from exercise. I too feel tired and get cramps and don’t feel like exercising yet I always feel better for doing it.

And you shouldn’t feel so bad that you would pass out, at that point I would be seeking medical advice.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I agree that exercising a mare that is showing clear signs of discomfort is unfair.

I just don’t think comparing a horse’s reproductive cycle to that of a human’s is helpful. And yes, whilst everyone’s individual experience is different but the majority of women benefit from exercise. I too feel tired and get cramps and don’t feel like exercising yet I always feel better for doing it.

And you shouldn’t feel so bad that you would pass out, at that point I would be seeking medical advice.

I never said that women don't benefit from exercise on their cycle, what I'm saying is that I don't think it's ethical to ride a horse on their cycle if you know that they show pain behaviours when they're cycling. There's a big difference between a human choosing to go for a run at their own pace, to a mare being tacked up (probably pulling a face when the girth is being tightened) and then being 'ridden through' behaviours which are signalling pain/discomfort.


I do think it's helpful to compare human and horse's reproductive cycles if it helps their rider to have more empathy for their horse.

 

[blitznbobs]

Yeah I always give my mares either a very light hack or a rest during their seasons - does them no harm. If they are competing hard they go on regumate

 

[Abi90]

I never said that women don't benefit from exercise on their cycle, what I'm saying is that I don't think it's ethical to ride a horse on their cycle if you know that they show pain behaviours when they're cycling. There's a big difference between a human choosing to go for a run at their own pace, to a mare being tacked up (probably pulling a face when the girth is being tightened) and then being 'ridden through' behaviours which are signalling pain/discomfort.


I do think it's helpful to compare human and horse's reproductive cycles if it helps their rider to have more empathy for their horse.

I don’t want to argue because I actually agree with what you’re saying in reference to if the horse is showing discomfort and telling you they are.

Your original comment was less nuanced “I don’t agree with riding a mare in season. Its like asking a lady on her period to exercise” and that’s where my discussion was around. Now that you have expanded I agree with you.