How to support your pregnant, or mare in heat

Every horse has its own needs, that differ due to different factors such as age, breed, living conditions, and exercise. But also the sex of a horse has its influence. For example, mares have to deal with the oestrus cycle, but mares could also be pregnant with a foal or could nurse.

During all these stages of life of a mare, they also need different nutritional needs. A mare can get quite a few nutritional needs themselves. However, some needs aren’t met due to their living conditions. Supplements for mares could be a solution. In this blog, we tell everything about the different stages of life of mares and what nutritional needs have to be met.

What are the differences between mares, stallions, and geldings? Vrijwel iedere ruiter heeft een (lichte) voorkeur. Maar wat is, buiten de duidelijke biologische verschillen, nou echt het verschil tussen een merrie, hengst en ruin?

Almost every rider has their preferences. But what are the differences between a mare, stallion, and gelding beyond the biological differences?

Stallions are mostly known for their rather intense behavior. This is also the main reason that stallions are castrated, unless when the stallion is used for breeding. The male sex hormone testosterone is the main cause of most stallions for their ‘stallion behavior’. Think about behaving dominantly, biting, aggressive behavior against other horses, and being distracted by mares. This might be a reason that some stallions aren’t welcome in boarding stables and riding schools.

A castrated stallion, a gelding, are completely different. Geldings aren’t fertile and produce less testosterone, which means that their behavior is more stable. Geldings are regarded as more trustworthy and quieter in comparison to horses where their sex hormones are fully active, as is the case with mares and stallions. Mares also have an ovulation cycle. Due to this cycle in their hormone levels, you might notice fluctuating behavior as the hormone levels fluctuate.  Mares are often known as ‘moody’ and for their strong character. Mares are also in heat every few weeks which means that their hormonal character is more intense.

The cycle of a mare

Even though the cycle of some mares is idle during winter, could some mares theoretically be in heat during the whole year. However, is it much more intense during spring and summer. Due to the rising temperatures, number of light hours, and the changing rations the cycle starts again in February or March. The cycle of a mare is every 21 days. During this period a mare is in heat for about five to seven days. When the horse is in heat a mare is more fertile and feels the need to breed. Most horse owner know when their horse is in heat. Mares that are in heat pee a lot, are more sensitive when being touched on their belly and they could show different behavior.

Do you want to breed with your mare? In most cases mares breed between April and August, which means that the foal is born during spring. A mare is most fertile during the final two days of being in heat. To increase fertility, you can support your mare with good quality roughage. In the most ideal situation have your mare access to grass. Grass contains many important nutrients for the fertility of a mare such as Vitamin E. When your mare gets fed roughage, then you can support your horse by giving them natural Vitamin E as a supplement.

What to do with a mare in heat?

It differs per mare in what extent it is noticeable if it is in heat. With some mares, you might not notice it, but some mares can’t be ridden during this period. Mares that are in heat could get more sensitive, be irritable, react more intensely to other horses, be less manageable, or even show aggressive behavior against humans.

Do you notice that your horse suffers from being in heat? Please remind yourself that it isn’t only annoying for you, but also your horse. Luckily there are some natural ways to support your horse. Think about the soothing herb mix with L-tryptophan, monk’s pepper, passion flower, hop, and valerian roots. Passion flowers, hop, and valerian roots contribute to inner peace and monk’s pepper contributes to the hormone balance when your mare is in heat.

Supporting pregnant mares

Is your mare pregnant and is there a foal on the way? Congratulations! During this fun, but exciting period is it extra important for your mare get all the possible nutrients for herself and her unborn foal. It is also important that the mare keeps their weight. This means that she shouldn’t lose or gain weight.  You should give your horse a balanced ration with enough roughage, and proteins. A supplement with plenty of amino acids for mares could be a great supplement for your pregnant mare as amino acids are the cornerstones of proteins.

During the final two months of being pregnant, you could give your mare raspberry leaves. Raspberry leaves contribute to the belly muscles and uterus when giving birth. The herb also contributes to the recovery and could help to experience a more relaxed birth. This is because raspberry leaves stimulate the uterus, you shouldn’t give if before the final stages of being pregnant. You could give the raspberry leaves after giving birth as it stimulates milk production.