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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
   
Location: Montana | When my mare is in heat, we have issues barrel races. Mostly gate issues, but some not listening issues as well. I try hard to work through them, you know make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard, which usually works for us. Once in the gate our pattern is fine.
But it is like a switch turns off on my mare...she goes from sweet and obedient and laid back, to stubborn and b****y. Three weeks of the month, she/we do awesome, then that one week throws us off. I've had her 5 years, and I've only had mares so you think I'd be used to it by now. Any suggestions other than getting a gelding? :)
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-07-09 12:01 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| When it's your time of the month, do you feel like doing hard work?
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
 
Location: MD | don't have mares but have a friend that does and she does the exact same thing. runs the same pattern but gets witchy getting her in and she never has issues but when she's in heat, good luck. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | SuckerForHorses - 2014-07-09 11:40 AM When it's your time of the month, do you feel like doing hard work? Good point, and I know what you are saying. But like yesterday, I get done with work and go load up and get there, and then figure out what is going on it is kind of a bummer.
Crowned Image...in a way it is good to hear I'm not the only one...maybe if I try to time it right I won't have to run her when she is in heat.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-07-09 1:01 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Have you tried raspberry leaves or regumate? |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | oija - 2014-07-09 12:14 PM Have you tried raspberry leaves or regumate?
I haven't yet...I've looked into supplements this morning, but that is as far as I have got. Last night we finally just got it figured out, so I haven't had a chance to try anything yet.
Thank you for the idea...I look up supplements, but does anyone have any advice which is best. Personally I would prefer to try herbal before I go to hormonal supplements, but I'm not ruling anything out. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | mtcanchazer - 2014-07-09 1:29 PM oija - 2014-07-09 12:14 PM Have you tried raspberry leaves or regumate? I haven't yet...I've looked into supplements this morning, but that is as far as I have got. Last night we finally just got it figured out, so I haven't had a chance to try anything yet.
Thank you for the idea...I look up supplements, but does anyone have any advice which is best. Personally I would prefer to try herbal before I go to hormonal supplements, but I'm not ruling anything out.
Oh yes, I was going to mention this! I haven't tried it, but I've heard good things and its just herbal.https://www.smartpakequine.com/mare-magic-4738p |
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 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | Silver lining herbs has a supplement for mares that I've seen good results with. I keep my mare on alternogest when she's running. 1shot a week and she doesn't cycle. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| You could also have her checked for cysts on her ovaries.
If they are clear, Regumate, hydroxyprogesterone, or Vitex, or one of the "mare" products may help. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| Yes, before I tried herbals and other oral supplements, I would have a vet check her out to make sure there isn't a physical reason for her issues. Its possible that she is just sensitive during that time, but it would be good to make sure she doesn't have cysts or other repro issues.
One of my best friends bought a mare last summer. Everything seemed okay with her. Then she started refusing to lope, would stop and turn around and bite at her leg. I suggested maybe ulcers, so she tried some ulcer meds for a few weeks to see if that helped. The horse only got worse. Started to refuse even walking forward. The vet did an internal exam, and discovered a soccer ball sized mass that he said was either on her uterus or her kidney (if I am remembering correctly). She had her ultrasounded and I think biopsied, and it ended up being a tumor on her kidney. She euthanized her about a week later.
So, don't just assume that she is being a crabby mare. There could be something very physical going on with her. |
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  JMHO
Posts: 1869
Location: Oklahoma | You could try a little bute. Easy to take with you too. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Because of a plan to breed her next year if all goes well, I'm anticipating having a breeding soundness exam done this fall. This week I'm getting her teeth done (it is time for it) and I budget accordingly.
I looked into pain last night as well, and I nor other horse people could see anything that would indicate pain. Personally I would think something was really hurting her if she didn't act completely normal the rest of the time.
At the arena where I was barrel racing last night and barrel race most often, there was stud horse penned right next to the arena, and if nothing else, his presence convinced us more than anything else, as I can ride by him, no trouble, when she's not in heat.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-07-09 2:20 PM
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | This is cheap and has worked for me (except on one mare, but she does have a cyst)... Put pennie or copper wire in her water. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | UTAHCANCHASER - 2014-07-09 1:28 PM This is cheap and has worked for me (except on one mare, but she does have a cyst)... Put pennie or copper wire in her water.
Really? I'm not being smart, but how does it work? Is it something in the copper I'm guessing? Does it cause her to go without her estrus cycle or does it help with the hormonal moodiness? Just curious. |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Mare magic is a good herbal supplement but its based off of, you guessed it, raspberry leaves. :) I'd definitely have her checked for cysts first though and then try the raspberry leaves if you wanted to go herbal first. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | My mare is a rip when it's her time of the month. I finally started her on Silver lining herbs and she acts like a gelding. I noticed a difference within 3 days of being on it. |
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