Mareish behaviour

[Hutchlou]

Does the behaviour of all mares change when they are in season?!! If so, what is normal and what can be blamed on my mare just being naughty!!!

Also how often does it happen (every 3 wks during the summer?!!) and how many days does it last!! Orla was out of character on Saturday, not happy at all - not sure if it was due to her being in season!

 

[Ziggy_]

My mare goes all sweet and cuddly when she's in season

They are all different; some are dreadful tarts, others you barely notice their seasons come and go. When my mare was out with geldings she used to become very nappy and want to leave the field/yard/other horses at a show, etc etc. I've known mares who get very stroppy and some can get painful ovaries etc which has a negative effect on their behaviour.

She's now turned out with one other mare and the only behavioural change is that she's a lot sweeter and more soppy than usual. Which I'm very happy about

 

[Hutchlou]

Thanks! Sweet and soppy sounds good! Wish that mine would do the same...

Just plenty of bucking and general grumpiness - I definitely think she is in a bit of pain as normally she is lovely. How long does it last?

 

[cjdjivanovic]

They vary from totally stroppy / in pain, waste of time trying to do anything with them when in season, unless medicated by regumate or similar, to the totally non-mare-ish mare whom you can't tell when she is in season.

My suggestion would be to try her on NAF Oestress, Hilton Herbs Equilibrium or something similar and see if it makes a difference. I think younger mares can be worse affected. Horses seem to vary wildly with cycles as to how it affects them, some mares will be much worse one month than the next - I don't really know any more but write from personal experience!

There could be other reasons why your mare was stroppy, unrelated sore back, foot, whatever; it's tempting always to blame stroppiness on hormones.

 

[Hutchlou]

Thanks, think I'll have a look at trying the supplements - don't think she has pain elsewhere.

 

[hoggedmane]

I have had 4 mares now and have not found any of them any different during a season. My big mare I have now is a tart when in the field but no different to ride or handle.

 

[megwan1]

flissy is an massive tart so needs space when handled and ridden with other horses in season cos she squeals squirts and kicks out.... i found oestress didnt work with fliss.

i've found she's better behaved during her seasons now she shares a field with a mare not a gelding