Mare Cycles

[Cor]

Hello all,
I just wanted to ask how often mares get into heat, how long does that cycle last, whether it depends on the climate and also how I can check whether my mare is in heat (apart from temperament changes). On what days of the cycle can mares get impregnated?
Thank you

 

[TrasaM]

Sorry read your title and mental image of a mare on a bike! sorry not much help.

 

[Suelin]

Sorry read your title and mental image of a mare on a bike! sorry not much help.

Sorry to say that was my first thought as well!

To answer you, technically every 3 weeks and should be in season for about 4 days IME. The mare will usually tell you if she's ready by making up to the stallion, however in these days of AI then I believe (and I could be mistaken here) that the vet will give an internal to establish the right time to impregnate. (I have no experience of the AI thing so just what I hear.) When I had a stallion we used to cover on the 2nd morning and again on the 4th as a rule although depending on the mare that can alter. Some can be in season and never accept a stallion. It really is a bit hit and miss at times.

Just to add that you will know if the mare is "winking" and peeing and some straddle their hind legs. Sometimes tail is held to one side.

 

[Mare Stare]

I barely notice my mares cycles. The only telltale sign with mine is that they will stand with their tails held up, winking at any poor male beast that they happen to come across (and when I say wink I don't mean like this !)

I couldn't tell you how long their cycles last but I have seen mares winking at geldings in the bleak midwinter so I think some mares cycle all year. I've only seen mine do it in the warmer seasons though.

 

[Cor]

hi - just realised the silly title . A point to get clarified - I do not want to get her impregnated her but rather to avoid it . Any good suggestions about hormonal supplements etc. to control the moodiness and when and for how long these should be given?

 

[Shay]

The only sure way to prevent a mare being mated is to keep her well away from a stallion! There is no birth control for mares to allow mating without impregnation. Plus the urge to mate is very strong - in both genders - and they may injure themselves, each other or you trying to get to each other.

There are products to reduce the severity of the cycle if the mare is bad with it. These range from supplements like regumate to a surgical proceedure to place a glass marble in the uterus to convine the mare's body that she is pregnant. None are without risk and so are best used where there is a real need - rather than to avoid mating.

How long for and how much supplement to give depends on what you use. Some - like oestress - are available over the counter and will have the dose on the back. I think regumate is vet controlled. (It is also a banned substance for competition horses) and obviously the glass marble thing has to be done by a vet. It might be best to speak to your vet in the first instance and see what they reccommend.