They can be very sensitive and even buck. Mares in heat can spoil the riding experience. However, not all mares show the typical signs, and some even need a little help to become pregnant.
According to textbooks, mares reach sexual maturity at around 18 months of age. Breeding maturity, i.e. the point at which the mare is physically developed enough to become a mother, is usually reached at three years of age.
The cycle begins with estrus, which occurs every 21 or 22 days and can last between two and twelve days. During estrus, the eggs mature and ovulation occurs on the last or penultimate day of estrus. The entire phase is also called estrus. This is followed by diestrus, the interval between estrus. Now the corpus luteum is active and produces progesterone. The uterus is ready to receive a fertilized egg. If no embryo implants, the cycle starts again.
Mares are seasonally reproductive and do not go through menopause. In the northern hemisphere, the estrus cycle begins in spring and ends in fall. Most mares do not ovulate at all from November to February.
The mare is "flashing," as it is called in technical jargon. Her labia are swollen. She stands with her legs apart, moves her tail to one side, and exposes her clitoris while secreting a fluid consisting of urine and mucus.
The mare's hormonal situation is now changing, and so is her behavior. The hormones stimulate the ovaries via the pituitary gland to form follicles. The follicles in turn produce estrogen, which prepares the uterus for implantation. Towards the end of the estrus cycle, another hormone triggers ovulation. During these physical processes, the mare may be very sensitive. This can manifest itself in actual bitching or in her being particularly needy. Brushing under the belly, touching the loin area more firmly, and sometimes even lifting the hind legs can lead to conflicts between horse and human during this time.
Some mares are also tense when being ridden during this phase. They "tail wag" more and shy away from work. Sometimes it can be helpful to just move them around gently during this time or to come up with an alternative program.
However, there are also mares who show no signs of being in heat and appear mostly balanced. In fact, this can also be caused by cycle disorders, which make it difficult to foal the mare. Sometimes external circumstances, such as stress, prevent the foaling from happening. Plenty of sunlight and relaxed hours on lush pastures in a herd can help the mare return to a regular cycle.
Of course, a veterinarian can also provide medical assistance for mares with severe heat problems. There are medications available to suppress a strong heat with resistance when handling or riding. It is important to be aware of the doping implications in competitive sports.
Persistent estrus should always be discussed with a veterinarian. Not only can a mare that is constantly in heat, squealing and whinying be very stressful, but ovarian tumors can also cause real distress in this case.
Ataxia is Greek and means "disorder." The term actually describes quite well what ataxia is all about. It is a disorder of the horse's normal movement and posture that is caused by damage to the central nervous system. Ataxia is therefore not lameness!
You've probably heard of it, and if you see a horse with long, curly fur, irregular fat deposits, weakness, and possibly even laminitis, you immediately think: That must be Cushing's! But it's not quite that simple, because Cushing's has very different symptoms and the diagnosis should not be made hastily.
A cat can have kittens twice a year. Unfortunately, unneutered stray and outdoor cats are often pregnant, resulting in too many "unwanted" cats being born. In some areas, cats that appear to be homeless are caught and taken to the local animal shelter, where they are neutered by a veterinarian. However, if the birth was planned and takes place in a safe environment, it can be a wonderful experience for both the mother cat and her kittens.
Coccidiosis, caused by parasites, is a common disease in rabbits. A distinction is made between liver coccidiosis and intestinal coccidiosis. Young, stressed, or weakened animals are particularly at risk.
For horses, which are flight animals, the eye is an important sensory organ, but it can also be very sensitive to internal and external influences. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye disorders in horses. It can occur as a separate disease or as a result of a general illness.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (the airways in the lungs). It is one of the most common respiratory diseases in dogs.
Birds such as budgies, beos, and parrots can not only learn to talk, they are also capable of performing small tasks. With enough patience and a few training tricks, humans and birds can have a lot of fun together. And the results are often impressive!
Inflammation of the testicles and epididymis, which usually occur together and are medically referred to as orchitis and epididymitis, are rare but can lead to reduced or even complete infertility in stallions.
Leptospirosis is a contagious infectious disease of dogs that is widespread worldwide and can also be transmitted to humans, which is why it is also referred to as a zoonosis. This bacterial disease was first discovered in dogs in 1852. Almost half a century later, it was observed at a dog show in Stuttgart, which is why it was initially called Stuttgart dog disease. In Germany, leptospirosis is a notifiable animal disease.
Both dogs and cats can have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food. This causes the immune system to overreact to certain ingredients in the food. Between 1 and 5% of all allergic skin diseases in dogs are caused by food allergies. Animals of all breeds and ages are affected. As in humans, an increase in allergies can also be observed in dogs and cats.
Pulmonary stenosis, also known as pulmonary artery stenosis, is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in dogs and describes the narrowing of the pulmonary artery, which originates in the right ventricle. This heart disease is extremely rare in cats.
A withers fistula refers to any disease of the horse's withers that is accompanied by inflammation and fistula formation.
