why is 3 YO mare doing this ?

[Asha]

I have a 3 year old mare that is in a field with 1 gelding, 1 mare and 1 yearling. All happy.
When i put her in the field next to my other mare with her 3 month old foal, she is constantly squirting at her. As if shes coming into season.

She has been doing this constantly now since the mare has had her foal.

Any ideas as to why?

Thanks

 

[zoelouisem]

Is the foal a colt ? Is so could possibly be why?

 

[Asha]

No, foal is a filly.

She doesnt do it with the gelding shes in the field with or the other 2 mares.

 

[mandwhy]

Maybe she can sense the hormones and is getting broody! That's my guess anyway

 

[Natch]

My guess is something to do with pheromones. A stallion can cause a filly to start cycling earlier than she naturally would, so perhaps a lactating mare'ss pheromones means something to other mares. I'm unsure what, perhaps its an ideal time for another mare to get an opportunity to be covered in the wild?

 

[Tnavas]

MAybe she is just having a very heavy season - my 3yr old was like that in the spring this time - she peed so much that the ground around her - her tail and her legs absolutely stank.

She was also unsound behind throughoout the season.

Vet put her on bute for 5 days and advised that she shouold be better with the next season.

 

[Asha]

Maybe she can sense the hormones and is getting broody! That's my guess anyway

i did wonder if she was broody, she looked after last years foal as if it was her own, now she looks over the fence adoring this one. Foals mum is very protective and she hasnt a hope of getting close just yet.

I just wasnt sure if mares as young as 3 became broody, thanks

 

[Asha]

My guess is something to do with pheromones. A stallion can cause a filly to start cycling earlier than she naturally would, so perhaps a lactating mare'ss pheromones means something to other mares. I'm unsure what, perhaps its an ideal time for another mare to get an opportunity to be covered in the wild?

Certainly sounds right, although shes going to have to wait a bit to get covered. Want to see whta shes like under saddle first. Thanks

MAybe she is just having a very heavy season - my 3yr old was like that in the spring this time - she peed so much that the ground around her - her tail and her legs absolutely stank.

She was also unsound behind throughoout the season.

Vet put her on bute for 5 days and advised that she shouold be better with the next season.

I will keep an eye on her next season and see if shes any different, thanks