How to Manage A Moody Mare

By Arenus Animal Health Breeding season is quickly approaching, and many horse owners often ask us, “What’s the best way to manage my difficult mare?”. During springtime and early fall, mares will enter their breeding cycle. At this time, hormone shifts, such as fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen can contribute to changes in your mare’s behavior. While not every mare will have mood swings, some mares can become unruly to deal with. Read on for our advice on how to handle a mare in season.

Unwelcome Behavior

If you have ever dealt with a moody mare, you may be familiar with the challenging behaviors: squealing, aggression, kicking, pinning ears, decreased cooperation, or even unpredictability. These mood swings can lead to an unsafe environment for riders, handlers and other horses. Training progress can slow down and show schedules can be affected. So, what can you do to ease your mare through her cycle?

Herbals To The Rescue

Your equine veterinarian may suggest a variety of medicinal therapies to help manage your moody mare , such as Regu-Mate or altrenogest. This progesterone hormone therapy works to stop your mare from cycling and has been found effective in managing behavior. While prescription drugs can be an appropriate option for some mares, some horse owners prefer not to administer them. In some cases, drug therapies can be expensive, come with side effects or hinder your mare's breeding cycle entirely. If you prefer an alternative option, herbal remedies may be the right choice to improve your mare's behavior. Look for products that contain ingredients such as: valerian root, chamomile, blue vervain, black cohash, wild lettuce and cherry plum to help curb irritability, aggression and stubbornness in your mare. Arenus Animal Health has an excellent formula called RelaxHer Blend, for those seeking an easy, all-in-one herbal supplement. This proprietary blend contains: valerian root, chamomile, passion flower, black cohash and wild lettuce. RelaxHer Blend works to soothe tensions, regulate hormones, reduce depression, and decrease restlessness. RelaxHer Blend can be safely combined with other supplements or medications, making it a great option during injury recovery.

Botanicals That Give You Options

Another popular herbal remedy is the Arenus Animal Health Botanical Animal Flower Essences. This unique line features 14 potent flower essence blends derived from fresh flower blossom extracts. Each blend works to address a specific behavioral issue in animals of all kinds, including difficult mares. We recommend the following flower essence blends for mares during their cycle: Mellow Out, Easy Does It, Devil Be Gone, and Clear Thinking. These botanical blends are easy to administer (give them orally, or simply add to a water source), and they can be given any time of day. Keep in mind, repetition is important to the success of these products. Additionally, Botanical Animal Flower Essences can be mixed and matched easily to enhance the benefits. Tame your mare's emotions during high stress situations or directly before a ride with Botanical Animal Flower Essences. Need help deciding on an herbal solution? Book a free consultation with our on staff Equine Nutritionist, Brady Karren, by signing up here. As with any remedy, be sure to consult your equine veterinarian before adding herbs to your mare's diet. Often, herbal remedies are safe, gentle and incredibly useful. However, some health conditions contraindicate the use of some herbs, especially in the case of pregnant mares or mares you are attempting to breed. That said, with a little herbal support, many horse owners can look forward to a calmer, happier mare this spring.