mares, seasonal

[Peanot]

I bought my mare in January and her flatwork needed some work as she was on the forehand in trot etc, and we worked on this and we started to get some really nice light work and started jumping and even took her out to a clear round practice. She was perfect. However, over the last 2-3 weeks she has been very argumentative to ride, not coming round, taking off etc. Had saddle man out yesterday, and he said that the new saddle is a very good fit, so no problem there. I have the back lady out again on Tuesday just to check as back lady and Bowen lady been out start of March and she didnt have a lot wrong. Teeth have been done. I try to eliminate everything that may be causing pain.
So was talking to fellow stable mate last night, after my mare had dribbled outside her geldings stable door...

, and it was suggested that it may be because she is in season that her work has gone a little `0ff`
Has this happened with anyone else, have you noticed a decline in your mares work when in season or indeed this time of year? I would love to take her out to a few shows but I`m thinking that she needs more work at the moment and because of her not being very easy at the moment, I am a little reluctant to jump her as she gets really excited and pulls me into the fences. I havent jumped her for about 2 weeks. My other mare isn`t struggling with her work and is working and jumping really nicely. Could something like `stroppy mare` help or `Oestress`? I`m sure she couldnt have gone from being nicely round and working through to going hollow and innatentive in such a short space of time.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Nortonlala]

Agnus Castus pills cost £7 drop one into her feed Bobs your Uncle mines been on them for a week now different horse though behaves like a tart at every opportunity

 

[RuthP]

Sounds just like my mare, when in season (which is most of the time)! she is a completely different horse to ride, she creates problems that aren't there. I tried her on a product by 'Hi Form' called 'Topline' its designed to give topline but vets have found it regulates mares seasons and generally calms them. it worked wonders with my mare, completely different horse. its quite pricey, about 60pounds, so i've now switched her 'Oestress' and shes on a magnesium calmer which both seem to do the trick. tried 'stroppy mare' on an old mare of mine and found it did nothing! but Oestress has definately made a difference. as for riding if my mares in season and isnt going well i just do something easy with her and let her get things right, i dont ask for an outline at first or ask anything too demanding and she seems to just settle into an outline and chills . if shes feeling really grumpy i avoid cantering as she seems to resist my leg. i think the trick is to just let them get it right and not hassle them or get into an argument as they do create problems that arent usually there. hope this helps! sorry to go on, i've had six years with a crazy mare so have lots to say!! XXX

 

[Cop-Pop]

I have given my TBx a few weeks off coz she is a devil atm. Because of the weather being so warm then cold then warm then cold again she kept starting to come into season then stopped so now she is in season it is more painful than normal.