mare not coming in season

[highlandlassie]

I have a highland mare who refuses to come into season while she has a foal at foot, any ideas on how I can get her interested in the stallion? I`ve tried injecting her but no joy.

 

[Fahrenheit]

Have you had a vet scan her follicles?? I have a mare that doesn't show to the stallion whilst she has a foal at foot but she was actually cycling and the vet scanned her follicles, he monitored her cycle and we fresh AIed her and she got in foal, all whilst she was grumping at the stallion putting her ears back, kicking and squealing and protesting that she wasn't interested!

 

[highlandlassie]

sounds as if this would work I will try and find a Highland stud that does AI. thanks

 

[the watcher]

What now? I wouldn't be trying this late, she will almost certainly bounce back into season in early spring (jabbing and fresh AI worked for mine but that was a month ago)

 

[pocomoto]

Some mares are like that and are so engrossed in the foal at foot that they either do not cycle or do not take.

Mine is one of them, I have now settled for a foal from her every two years, mind you they have all been of super quality so I forgive her! I now know not to waste money when she has her foal at foot. Its not unusual and there are a couple of mares that go through my local AI centre and stud which are exactly the same.

 

[AndyPandy]

HG is correct

... and this is the most likely explanation. This condition is sometimes referred to as lactational anestrus, and can occassionally last until the foal is weaned. Some studies have suggested that mares will start to show/be receptive if they are teased HEAVILY (for 15-30 mins) (but this can become dangerous for everyone involved).

Sometimes lactationally anestrus mares have no ovarian activity whatsoever, and this will only restart once the foal is weaned.

The only way to know which is happening is to get her scanned regularly.