A right mare at the show (From Worcester News)

A right mare at the show

9:11am Monday 8th June 2009 in

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BY now the outdoor show season is in full swing and so, unfortunately, is another symptom of summer – mares coming into season.

Most people who have owned a mare have been there. At a show with the animal difficult to control, pumped up, whinnying away like mad and even worse. It is one of the down sides of owning a female horse. The normal mare cycles regularly every 18-24 days between April and October, with longer periods of oestrus at either end of this timespan.

Of course some mares are more affected than others, but at its worse “mare-ish”

behaviour can be a real problem for owners and riders. And it’s not only the “social” aspect of being with an animal that’s being such a pain in the neck. Around ten per cent of mature mares suffer symptoms that affect their performance around the time of oestrus, so if it clashes with a major competition you need to be aware.

Increased oestrogen acts on the behavioural centres of the brain to induce sexually responsive behaviour and may be linked to increased sensitivity or aggression.

This could result in an increased biological drive to mate and override the animal’s training and willingness to perform.

Despite the problems coming into season causes, comparatively little research has been carried out to enable owners and vets to choose the best treatment.

Your local equestrian store will no doubt carry several products that claim to help, but these can sometimes act differently on different horses.

The most common treatments for marish behaviour are herbal or food supplements. Most of these carry a mixture of herbs, including some that have a mildly sedative effect and others which are thought to act on the hormonal system.

But the problem with these is that it is difficult to know which mares will respond to which product. The trial and error process can be both frustrating and expensive.

Also some products contained substances banned under FEI or Jockey Club rules and while that may not matter too much in the Clear Round class at a local show, higher up the competitive chain there could be problems.

Clearly the most effective treatment is to prevent seasons altogether, thus eliminating any difficulties by avoiding both the hormonal and physical effects. There are a number of possible methods available, but it is best to consult your vet before jumping in. Most either suppress oestrus behaviour completely or mimic pregnancy, which in turn suppresses the symptoms.

An “equine pill” has been produced, which acts to prevent oestrus and some owners have found that a low dose of “bute”

(phenylbutazone) around the time of a season can reduce pain and inflammation, although of course this comes under the “banned substances”

category.

Working out the right medical and management methods that work with your particular mare is the key to long-term control of the “season” problem. Or you just simply rest the animal around the affected time, which is the ultimate answer.