Mare in Heat!!!

Hi!

I have a 7 year old mare I just bought a couple of months ago. She has been at the trainers for 1 month of this time. She has come in heat, and is a mess to deal with. She does not want anyone to handle her, much less ride her nad I can't keep her attention. She seems to come in about ever 16 - 18 days for about 3-4 days. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with this behavior while she is in?

Thanks alot!
Kay-

Hi Kay,

   Hormonal related behavior is a big challenge for all mares, stallions and sometimes even geldings. You can consult a veterinarian to see if it can be handled a bit though some sort of medication. Beyond that, nature is a big force to contend with. The only thing I can suggest is for you to get a bigger bond of trust and respect going by doing a ton of ground play along with your in the saddle schooling program and become the great leader for your horse. You, more than your trainer, need the relationship with the mare. Unfortunately, owners send their horses to a trainer (this happens to me all the time) and, because the animal forms the bond with the trainer and the owner does not participate, its the trainer that gets the best of the horse. The animal never does quite as well (behavior or performance) for the owner as they are in the same old patterns. The horse meanwhile, has progress to new and actually better patterns of behavior and performance that are beyond the owner. If your trainer did more than school the horse and consciously went for trust and respect which would promote the horse being more compliant for the trainer, as well as perfrom better, consult the trainer for their methods of developing trust, respect, compliance and partnership. I have written extensively about this and lots can be found on my website. There is so much more to 'success' with horses than how high it can jump, how fast it can run, or how many wonderful fancy moves it can do. Consider getting more of a personal bond yourself with your horse. That will help everything and I can guarantee that. It probably won't solve all the problems of her estrus cycle behavior. But, it will definately enhance and improve your overall relationship with 'your' horse and how you get along with her in the face of all challenges that arise. Never punish, always 'lead.'

Sincerely your, Franklin