In heat - AGAIN?!!?

[SedonaThunder]

When does it stop? I adore my filly but she's really making me think that geldings and sheath cleaning isn't so bad.:) Her stall is in between the stalls of the boys and when she is in heat she stands in her stall all day and squirts that yuck! She could walk five feet and do this outside but NO... she stands on her rubber matted stall and does this so when I get home not only is it a completely disgusting mess to clean up but it's like stepping into an ice arena - slick as snot... and about that consistency.:puke: Yes, I've put in shavings during these times but then she just pees too so not a good idea. I know it's a "girly thing" I have to deal with but I thought when Fall came (we've had two frost already!) this would end for AT LEAST five months... when does it end? Anyone else's mares still winking and acting like hussies?

[Ryle]

Spring and fall the heat cycle gets more random. This has to do with the changes occuring to go from having normal heat cycles to not going into heat for the winter and coming back to having normal heat cycles.

[Gypsy Rose]

I got lucky with Gypsy, and she had fairly quiet heat periods when she was younger. Now, at 29, if she's still getting them , I sure wouldn't be able to tell, lol!

Can't help you there, Sedona- sorry!

[AppyLady]

Yep, it seems like Harmony is in heat all the time! At least she's on pasture so stall cleaning isn't a problem.

I'm glad Sparkle is in foal so I don't have to deal with her heat cycles too.

[JackieB]

There's a mare like that at our farm. I jokingly say that she comes into heat once a week and it lasts for a month. I know it's not anything to do with her, and I really do love mares, but sheesh. It can be management problem. The geldings fight, squeal, one got upset that another gelding's pen was between his and the mare's and got through the electric fence and bit up the second gelding.

[SedonaThunder]

Thank you for the info Ryle... since this one came on fast and strong maybe it's the one getting ready for NO MORE until Spring! I hope, I hope...

Appy and Gypsy - lucky dogs!:)

Jackie... tell me about the boy problems.:( I actually saw Thunder try to mount Lele tonight but then Timber came running over to put a nix on that and then "alpha" Sedona came running over (as fast as a lame horse can run) and bit Timber! Now normally Timber and Thunder run when they see Sedona heading their way but this time Timber turned and kicked him - made contact in the chest that I heard and I about had a heart attack. They all ran when I came running and screaming...

You know - this all reminds me of why I'm not a mother... I could NEVER handle the stress a teenage daughter would cause me.;)

[SedonaThunder]

Another couple questions related to this "heat thing" (I so need to learn more about the inner workings of female horses!)

Has anyone noticed a decrease in water consumption during a heat cycle? I monitor Lele's water intake like a hawk after almost losing her in June and I've noticed it goes way UP and then way DOWN. I just realized that often the down turn in drinking is during her "time".

Also, what about salt intake? Lele has loose salt hanging in a feeder on her stall wall and it will just sit there and all of a sudden one day a whole cup is gone. This week (while she is VERY in heat) I can't keep the thing full. Anyone else noticed these two things going together?

So is there a book like "Mares for Dummies?":)

[cloedoll]

I'm lucky, Cloe when into once this year - that's it. Last year it seemed like she was in heat 24/7. Odd creatures mares are. =P Any who, you have fun with your squirtin' mare! I know it's annoying as heck, but you know you love her. :D

[WashingtonBay]

Another couple questions related to this "heat thing" (I so need to learn more about the inner workings of female horses!)

Has anyone noticed a decrease in water consumption during a heat cycle? I monitor Lele's water intake like a hawk after almost losing her in June and I've noticed it goes way UP and then way DOWN. I just realized that often the down turn in drinking is during her "time".

Also, what about salt intake? Lele has loose salt hanging in a feeder on her stall wall and it will just sit there and all of a sudden one day a whole cup is gone. This week (while she is VERY in heat) I can't keep the thing full. Anyone else noticed these two things going together?

So is there a book like "Mares for Dummies?":)

The thing that doesn't make sense to me in all that is that usually an increase in salt intake would make them drink MORE.

[SedonaThunder]

Gee thanks Cloe! Could you get any luckier? I mean c'mon, ONE TIME all summer?:)

WB - that's what I was thinking and since we never figured out what caused her impaction back in June, I am always looking for clues. I'm thinking that eating a couple pounds of salt and drinking no water might just cause some constipation.:( Because of my fear, to this day she still gets her mash filled with water to the 3 quart mark and she eats soaked hay for two of her three meals each day.

[missdixie]

I'm surprised she is throwing herself into heat this late in the year... my girl goes nuts when she's in heat but she is definitely done for the year. How old is she? The younger they are the worse it is. She will probably mellow out as she gets older...

[oursarge]

I call mine "Trampy Girl" seems she's always in heat, it drives me mad. She's also about uncontrollable when she's in heat. I haven't been able to ride her for awhile because of a bladder infection, one day when I thought I could ride I went to get her and she was in heat acting like a crazy lady so I just let her be.

I had no idea mares went into heat so often. Spring is really bad you can't get near her. When she's not in heat she's so good but when she's in heat I wish she was a boy!!!!

[Country Girl 43]

If we bring a new gelding in my mares go into heat. Drives me crazy. The first time I saw ole Ladybird go into heat, I was kinda shocked, but I guess age doesn't matter. Of course it doesn't help that Dallas still thinks he's a stud...:mad: