Ugh...

[Bratterratt]

Ok. So this week has been pretty stressful all by it's self and now on top of it all, my baby Borie (for those of you who don't know, she's a two year old American Paint Horse) has gone into heat! And to make that even worse, I'm pretty sure this is her first cycle. Ugh! She's been incredibly grumpy and snaps at everyone but me. She's even been biting at her stable mate, who she usually tolerates fairly well. So, does anyone have any advice on how to handle a young mare in heat? I can use ANY advice!

Bratterratt

[Cecelia]

I don't really have much advice but I know how horrid their heat cycles can be. Penny always was terribly behaved and extremely flirty with the stallions........ Um all I can tell you is that if it gets too gross hosing her off back there would probably be a good idea. Some horses might not like that but Penny seemed to appreciate that. Her heat cycles were exceptionally disgusting though hopefully Borie won't be that bad. Good luck!!!


i'm sure glad llamas don't have heat cycles........ Cecelia~thellamallady~

[Queso]

My mare Winnie has horrible heat cycles too. She's really moody and cranky and "flirts" with literally everything. She also gets butt and hind legs absolutely disgusting. I give her a supplement called Moody Mare from Wendals herbs. It's all natural and really helps even her out. She still gets messy back there, but she's much more manageable. Normally I can't even tell that's she's in heat unless another horse bumps her in the bum or she sees a stallion. I would highly recommend it, it's worked miracles with Winnie. It takes a few weeks to kick in though, so it won't be able to help your girl until her next cycle. For now I would just have a no-nonsense attitude, she need to learn that even though she feels cranky she can't take it out on humans.

[Bezzella]

If it gets really bad, you should ask your vet. I own a gelding, but I know there is a drug that they give my friend's moody mare that really helps.

[Queso]

I would try the Moody Mare before you try the drug Bezz is talking about, it's called Regumate. It really wreaks havoc with their hormones, if you skip a day or decide to take them off they will start cycling irregularly and will be even worse than before. You also have to be really careful when you handle it, if you get it on your skin it can cause problems with your own cycles or even cause infertility. It also costs like $250 a bottle. If your mare is absolutely miserable/unmanageable then it can be worth it, but I would try other options first. I'm sure your vet would be able to recommend some good things to try.

You may not even need to put her on anything though, it might just be because this is her first cycle. I would try just handling her carefully, a lot of mares I know are fine when they are in heat if they know the person that is handling them isn't going to take any nonsense. Don't punish her for her crankiness unless it's directed at you though, you need to be fair about it. If she tries to give you trouble growl at her or maybe give her a little smack on the chest. Then make sure you give her lots of praise when she is behaving, especially when she is focusing on you. Heat cycles are just one of the joys of owning a mare, you'll both get used to it eventually. Think of it this way, at least you don't have to clean a sheath

[Bratterratt]

Lol, Queso. Well, she's been just as cranky today, snapping at my mom. She's never really liked my mom, but she usually tolerates her! *sigh* Oh, hey, I've got another question (I guess I should probably google this or something, but whatever), how long do these cycles last in mares, and how long in between them?

Bratterratt

Thanks everyone for your advice. I may check into that supplement if she gets to much worse...

[Kholran]

I got lucky with my mare...it's barely noticeable when she goes into heat. She just gets a little touchy on her sides, but no real behavioral differences. Anyways, yeah...some are just really bad, and stay really bad their entire lives. She might grow out of it, she might not. Like people, they cycle about every 21-27 days (so once a month, give or take) and stay in heat for 5-7 days.

If she's truly horrid while in heat, and is not of breeding quality or you do not plan to ever breed, you might also talk to your vet about having her spayed. It's becoming a more common practice for mares (at least in the US) and can be done pretty easily with minimal surgery. Like drugs, I probably wouldn't jump right on this immediately, as (if it is her first heat) she might improve on her own, but it is an option if she doesn't.

Nifty article: http://www.equestmagazine.com/v1s6/article12-6.htm

[Bratterratt]

Well, she's been a little better today. If her cycle lasts 7 days, then she's about half way through now. I would hate to spay her first because it costs money, and second because she's a purebred, registrable, mare with INCREDIBLE conformation and usually a good attitude. I'm even planning to breed her when she's a little older, she's gonna have gorgeous babies... So I guess I'll just have to wait this whole heat thing out then... Thanks all y'all for your advice though!

Bratterratt

[Queso]

I just want to add, you will probably get people telling you to breed her to settle her down. Don't believe them, it's a silly myth. Not that you would do this, just a warning

[Bratterratt]

Ya, I read an article about that. And that breeding can actually make them worse and not better. Thanks for the heads up though!

Bratterratt