FORT COLLINS, CO - The breeding season is quickly approaching, and many horse owners often ask us, "What's the best way to manage my moody mare?". During the spring and early summer, mares will enter their breeding cycle.
During this time of year, 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 difficult mares in season.
Herbals to the Rescue
Your equine veterinarian may suggest a variety of medicinal therapies to help manage your moody mares, 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 cohosh, 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 cohosh 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 for 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. Botanical Animal Flower Essences can be mixed and matched to enhance the benefits. Tame your mare's emotions during high-stress situations or directly before a ride with Botanical Animal Flower Essences.
This March, Arenus Animal Health is celebrating foal season with its Foaling Forward campaign. Learn facts about foals, tips on spring horse care and beneficial supplements for a mare, foal and every horse in your barn. Follow Arenus Animal Health on social media to keep up with the latest updates.
Learn more about the full line of Arenus Animal Health products by visiting arenus.com. Currently, site visitors can enjoy a free 8 oz. of Sore No-More Performance Ultra Liniment when they purchase select BeneFab by Sore No-More products. Visit arenus.com to place your risk-free order today.
About Arenus Animal Health
Arenus Animal Health has been a leader in the animal health products industry since 2007 and offers health solutions for companion animals as well as competitive animal athletes. Arenus Animal Health’s nutraceutical line offers complete digestive solutions to horses as well as total joint health for horses and dogs. Arenus Animal Health also offers a complete line of herbal health solutions for both companion and competitive animals. For more information on Arenus Animal Health, visit www.arenus.com.