The non-cycling mare

[BELLARINA]

I just bought a barren mare, who I don't think was under lights. She is not cycling (I tried ProstaMate shot), but I think there is some kind of new ways the vet can get her to start cycling in 4-6 weeks with new hormone drugs and lights. Anyone had this problem, or know of any new ways to manage this? Anyone had luck speeding up mother nature?

[casallc]

I just bought a barren mare, who I don't think was under lights. She is not cycling (I tried ProstaMate shot), but I think there is some kind of new ways the vet can get her to start cycling in 4-6 weeks with new hormone drugs and lights. Anyone had this problem, or know of any new ways to manage this? Anyone had luck speeding up mother nature?

It's too late now. She will start cycling on her own in the same time it will take to get her going with lights and regumate.

[larrygene]

I have to second the motion. Wait until nature takes it's course. I would advise feeding her a high fat diet.

[JaradM]

BELLARINA,

Check out this link below, it has a bunch of articles on subjects such as this one. The bulliten board of this site is also very useful, the beeding problem mares volume 2 is the more up to date information. Hope this helps.

http://www.equine-reproduction.com/articles/index.shtml

[larrygene]

JaradM, a very informative link!! Good info.

[BELLARINA]

About when is it normal for mares to start cycling on their own in Louisiana? What are realistic expectations (WHAT MONTH) for a mare to return to estrus if she is not under lights, and has a GREAT DIET!!!

JARADM-
thanks! I will read that tonight, I've not done any of this in 3 years. I can't believe how much I have forgotten.

[JaradM]

BELLARINA,

April will be the most realistic in my opinion. The first cycle if in March will be erratic and just restarting the repro system of the mares that have shut down. Age is also a big factor, older mares tend to take a little longer than the younger ones.

[madelyn]

I have four in heat right now that were not under lights.

But I have a stallion on my property. They can hear him, smell him, etc.

[Bondama]

Madelyn you beat me to it! <lol> I was going to say, exposure or nearness to a stallion. Works for mares at my place every time. I got a new mare Sunday, by Friday she was parking out, and Saturday she got some! Bill has a way of convincing them..........

[casallc]

Madelyn you beat me to it! <lol> I was going to say, exposure or nearness to a stallion. Works for mares at my place every time. I got a new mare Sunday, by Friday she was parking out, and Saturday she got some! Bill has a way of convincing them..........

Just because they will tease does not mean they are not anestrous. Many (most) mares will tease in dead of winter but they are not producing follicles and ovulating. The amount of daylight is the controlling factor of when an anestrous mare will be ready to breed, temperature and green grass that are sometimes attributed are only a result of the extended daylight hours. Only 30% of mares will cycle normally through winter months the other 70% will be in various degrees of anestrous.

[madelyn]

casallc, that is what a vet told me, and my first year I had a maiden who was showing readiness on Jan 31. I covered her with an experienced stallion, so she would have been jumped, and the mare got in foal. On Jan 31. Mine stay cycling all winter. Last year the February freeze stopped them all for 40 days.

But this has been a very mild winter, temperatures have averaged in the 50's with only two cold spells of three days or less, and my mares are all cycling. Exposure to a stallion is the critical key, followed by a very solid feed program. I know what all the books say, and the vet I had last year would get all adamant when talking about "long day breeders" but my experience is different.

[Gerry]

Madelyn
We are experiencing the same thing here..mares cycled all year long, had a mare that is very ready to breed as of yesterday but she goes early so I have to wait one more cycle...so dang tempted but my luck it would be a 12/31 11:59pm foal

[madelyn]

I've got two mares that both go 360-365. Tempting.

[Mood Swings]

I have a maiden that is ready now .... ahh well as you said Madelyn "tempting", but I think I had better play it safe

BALLARINA You can also put your mare on regumate for two weeks, that should help her get out of a transitional heat.

[casallc]

casallc, that is what a vet told me, and my first year I had a maiden who was showing readiness on Jan 31. I covered her with an experienced stallion, so she would have been jumped, and the mare got in foal. On Jan 31. Mine stay cycling all winter. Last year the February freeze stopped them all for 40 days.

But this has been a very mild winter, temperatures have averaged in the 50's with only two cold spells of three days or less, and my mares are all cycling. Exposure to a stallion is the critical key, followed by a very solid feed program. I know what all the books say, and the vet I had last year would get all adamant when talking about "long day breeders" but my experience is different.

Having bred well over a thousand mares in my life and being partners with several vets in a breeding farm, I will stand by my statement. I don't argue with your experience but I will say you are fortunate to have many of the 30% of mares that cycle all year. As far as the February freeze stopping your mares - temperatures have nothing to do with it - it is the hours of daylight. I can put a horse under a light program at zero temperatures and it will shed out like June. I it all controlled by the pituitary.
Teasing is important in any breeding program but it does not make mares come into standing heat. They may tease a little but I have had mares that would accept a horse 365 days a year pregnant or not. Feeding is important only to the extent that the mare needs to be on the increase (like nature intends) and mares need calories in order to ovulate (a decreasing mare will not ovulate).