From: Adrienne Johnston
Hi Jessica. I have some questions concerning mares that I was hoping you'd address. First of all, what is, in general, the most effective way to deal with an irritable mare that's in season, both under saddle and on the ground? Secondly, I will be showing my mare this summer and wanted to know your opinion on the use of Regu Mate and other similar products. Is it a good option to look into? Would it show up on a drug test, and is it legal for dressage competition? Thanks in advance, Adrienne Johnston
My first suggestion is that you discuss the medical/drug aspect of this question with your veterinarian. Regumate is a synthetic progesterone (altrenogest), one of several progestins used on horses to regulate their cycles. It can be a very useful drug on a breeding farm, as it can be used to induce oestrus and ovulation; it can enable breeders to pinpoint a mare's heat cycle -- or to schedule it!
It's true that some trainers do use progestins, including this one, to treat "behaviour problems" in horses, especially at the racetrack or at busy show barns, when the trainers are convinced that a particular orse's sexual behaviour is interfering with its racing or showing program.
One of the first things you should consider, though -- and your veterinarian will be able to advise you on this -- is that the problem may be one of handling and training. In other words, don't use hormones to treat a problem unless you are CERTAIN that the problem is hormonal. If it's possible to change your horse's behaviour without using drugs, that option would be preferable. However, having said that, I should say that Regumate IS popular on the show circuit.
Mares are more sensitive, alert, and excitable than geldings -- it's a function of being sexually entire. Stallions are similar in their sensitivity, but few of us are privileged to ride and train stallions. And since most of us don't work with stallions, we tend to compare mares with geldings, and judge their behaviour accordingly. That doesn't work.
Telling a mare what to do, and when, is a more subtle dance -- you need to be a bit of a strategist; this can be even more necessary during a heat cycle. With mares, you ASK and relax and wait for her to do what you asked -- demanding and forcing will simply result in a fight, and you will both lose. You need to be careful, because although you must give your mare work to do, and be sure that she does it, you must also know when to back off. This -- and the brilliant performance that you CAN get when you and your mare understand one another clearly -- is truly the joy of working with mares.
It's reasonable to assume that your mare's apparent physical discomfort may be very real -- not a product of her imagination. Her sensitivity and her resentment of the girth, or of anything -- even a brush -- touching her back or flanks, can be very real. Some veterinarians believe that, for some mares at least, ovulation may be painful. So keep these things in mind, and remember that increased sensitivity is NOT something to be punished.
Whether your mare is in season or out, you don't have to make excuses for her or "let up" on her training, and you certainly shouldn't accept behaviour that you wouldn't accept at any other time or from any other horse, but you can make YOURSELF work your mare carefully, persuading rather than insisting. This is useful advice for anyone working with any mare, at any time! Over-riding, trying to establish complete dominance, attempting to control the horse completely, every second, and reacting aggressively to anything that isn't in YOUR plan or program -- these tactics can work with geldings (although geldings deserve better!), but they will not work with mares. Faced with aggressive, overcontrolling force, mares will NOT respond with obedience -- instead, they will offer you frantic resistance.
The best way to deal with a mare in season, I think, is to ask for the same sort of responsible work, and pride in work, that I discussed last week in the letter about dealing with spooking. Give your mare a job to do, put her in a position to do it, and let her do it -- in other words, set it up and let it happen.
Back to the Regumate question! If you do choose to use this or a similar product, be sure to listen CAREFULLY to your veterinarian's instructions, and follow them exactly, for the mare's sake and for your own. This is not a substance you want on your own skin -- USE those gloves! Regumate is a potent drug, and will affect your own hormone levels if you don't protect yourself when you handle it.
As for the question of the legality of ANY drug in any AHSA competition, don't take a fellow competitor's word for what is or isn't legal. That person may be misinformed, or may not have the most recent information. Go directly to the source -- you will get the most comprehensive and up-to-date information from the AHSA Drugs and Medications Program. You may telephone them for specific information: (800)MED-AHSA, or (614)771-7707, or you may FAX them at (614)771-7706.
Jessica
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