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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 29, 2015 16:29:24 GMT -1
Both mares are in season, Connie has been in season since Sunday and I noticed Emerald had come into season this morning, Connie was behaving out of character this morning when I took her out for a hack, very spooky, calling on and off most of the way round and was very much on her toes.
The real issue was this evening however, when I went to give them their tea Connie was mounting Em, she let out a sort of a shrill cry, somewhere between a squeal and a whinny and bit/nuzzled Em on her thigh then mounted her, right on top even did the hip thrusting.
Em didn't seem to mind in fact she lifted her tail out of the way to one side and stood for her, it lasted about 10-20seconds then she simply got down and they both resumed grazing as if nothing had happened. 5 minutes later she did the same again in fact she did it 4 times in the space of about 20 mins whilst I was poo picking etc. Connie is not shod and Em doesn't appear to be hurt just damp ruffled hair where Connie has slobbered on her back/withers.
My question is, has anyone experienced this before? I've never had 2 mares kept together before, usually mixed with geldings but I've not heard of a mare doing this , although I've often seen heifers behaving like this.
Also what if anything should I do about it? Should I separate them or just leave them together and let them sort themselves out?
Connie is on a herbal supplement to calm her seasons down as when I first got her she was constantly in season and parading herself in front of Silver over the fence. The supplement appeared to be working as I've not really noticed her in season since she's been on it, until now, she did miss 2 days supplement at camp as I miss calculated the amount I took with me.
She has only been in with Emerald for about 4 weeks since Silver went and I have had Amanda's mare Ebony with me for 2 weeks, Ebony is in a separate paddock next to them and Connie has been very protective of Em, herding her away every time she tried to go and say hello to Ebony.
Any advice /thoughts would be welcome as I don't quite know what to think or do about it. |
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Post by Tynedale on Jul 29, 2015 17:27:08 GMT -1
I would get the vet to scan her ovaries, stallion like behaviour in a mare could be a sign of a cyst secreting testosterone. Bloods can also be checked if there is a cyst to check hormones. I only know this because Delight had a large cyst and we had her bloods tested for hormone levels including testosterone.
Could it be the herbal supplements?
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Post by harveydales on Jul 29, 2015 19:32:43 GMT -1
As you say, heifers do this when coming into season so, although I've not seen it with mares, I guess it is a similar hormonally triggered reaction. Since you say Connie had season problems when she first came, I would definitely have a word with the vet. An additional concern comes from my experience with Harvey. At one point, not long after Dolly first came to stay with me, I put Harvey and Dolly together in the field. It all went well at first but when Dolly came into season, Harvey started mounting her several times in the way you describe. I didn't think much of it until a couple of days later when Harvey had a tying up problem. We finally traced down to a pulled muscle in his inner thigh from the mounting exertions which he wasn't used to. So I would be tempted to separate Connie and Emerald until it's sorted. I no longer risk putting Harvey and Dolly in the field together.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Jul 29, 2015 20:52:16 GMT -1
As Barbara says get the vet to check for cysts on her ovaries
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Jul 30, 2015 9:12:28 GMT -1
Tinker has done this in the past with Doris, I always put it down to her 'bossing' the others.
Is Connie on Agnus Castus? I've heard it can calm/regulate seasons, but not to be used too much/regularly as it can go the other way!
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Post by valerie n scout on Jul 31, 2015 9:10:47 GMT -1
Nothing much to add, lots of sound advice above x
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Jul 31, 2015 14:43:02 GMT -1
I spoke to my vet yesterday and he agreed it could be a sign of a growth on the ovaries, possibly malignant, so she is booked in on the 10th August for a blood test and a scan, the blood test looks for hormones but also for specific markers for the type of cancer they can get on the ovaries.
He said 7 times out of 10 it is just their hormones getting a bit mixed up but if it is a cancerous growth it will need removing and is better done sooner rather than later before it gets too big.
Fingers crossed it's just hormones, she appears to have stopped mounting her but is still displaying rather amorous behaviour, she has also calmed down when ridden so hope the worst is over.
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Post by harveydales on Aug 1, 2015 6:00:09 GMT -1
Chances are it is just hormonal and nothing sinister but now your vet has said this, I'm sure August 10th can't come quick enough! All fingers crossed.
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Post by Debbie on Aug 10, 2015 21:43:11 GMT -1
I hope the vet's been and fingers crossed it was just hormones being crazy. I've seen bitches do this before, but haven't seen it happen with ponies. Far better to rule out anything sinister, who knows? Maybe the vet can help sort the supplements so Connie has a better time with her seasons?
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Post by zeldalithgow on Aug 11, 2015 11:51:29 GMT -1
Have you heard anything back - hope everything is ok
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Aug 11, 2015 14:32:58 GMT -1
We went for her scan yesterday and both ovaries are normal, the results of the blood test will be back next week so fingers crossed it's just a blip in her hormone levels.
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Post by NFK Dumpling on Aug 11, 2015 15:39:31 GMT -1
Glad all is normal so far. The two mares either side of the lane spend all spring and summer making eyes at each other whilst ignoring the boys (although who can blame them!)
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Aug 14, 2015 10:04:36 GMT -1
I had Connie's results back from the blood test this morning and everything is normal so we can rule out any growth on her ovaries.
Hopefully her next season will be more normal but if not I'll separate her from Em while they are in season.
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Post by colmworthdales on Aug 14, 2015 10:30:01 GMT -1
That is good news Andrea. ~At least you checked everything possible and now can put it down to just her behaviour - and treat her accordingly.
Mollie was very confused at her first show this year - spraying and showing off to all the geldings she met, and totally ignoring the poor stallion who was lined up next to us in one class! At least it kept her on her toes and she did very well at that show. Mares, eh!
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