Is it normal for a mare to change her behavior?

Is it normal for a mare to change her behavior?

It’s not unusual for mares to exhibit behavior changes related to their estrous cycles. Sometimes the behavior interferes with their management, training, or performance, which can be frustrating for owners, handlers, and riders.

When do mares go through their normal cycle?

Normal vs. Abnormal Mare Behavior. Mares are seasonal breeders that cycle from about early May through October. A normal cycle consists of roughly seven days of estrus and a 14-day period of diestrus (when she is not in heat).

Is it OK to ride a mare in diestrus?

“The behavior of a mare in diestrus (which involves active rejection of the stallion) generally is not objectionable for training or riding her,” says Ryan Ferris, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, an equine reproduction specialist at Summit Equine, in Newberg, Oregon.

When is it safe to ride a mare?

By six or seven months, you should probably not be jumping a mare, and getting your saddle to fit properly may limit some other competitions. Mares can be safely ridden up until they deliver, as long as the rider is careful, but the size of the mare’s abdomen may limit your choices.”

What kind of horse is Annie the mare?

Annie is a 14-year-old Quarter horse mare who started acting aggressively toward her pasturemates. She’d raise her head, prance, and whicker like a stallion—especially when she saw another mare in heat. Her owner assumed she was simply a dominant mare, until Annie’s behavior escalated to the point where she was difficult to handle.

Is it normal for a mare to act like a stallion?

I have had mares that were in foal act like a stallion (the mare that I have that foaled a few weeks ago was that way early on but then settled down). But no, this mare hasn’t been near a stallion, she has been at home in the pasture for the past 3 years.

When do you Blame a mare’s behavior on Estrus?

Sometimes the behavior interferes with their management, training, or performance, which can be frustrating for owners, handlers, and riders. It’s no surprise, then, that when a mare is particularly moody or distracted, we blame her demeanor and actions on estrus.