Continuing with the theme of rollercoasters, Lucy was an absolute ANGEL on Tuesday, and then was a NIGHTMARE on Wednesday.
After my ride on Tuesday, which consisted of w/t/c in the outdoor (!!!) with zero problems or disobedience or pinned ears (!!!), I was like, hmm, maybe we've turned a corner.
Then on Wednesday, she didn't want to be brushed, didn't want to be tacked up, didn't want me to get on, was totally chill about walking around on a loose rein, but went bonkers when I tried to pick up a little trot. Not to be discouraged by a little bit of crazy, I patted her on the neck, gently asked again, sat that tantrum, walked for 20 minutes while asking for a bend/shoulder in + out, etc, then tried again. In the end we managed a trot around the whooooole ring and no one died, but come on.
I came to the conclusion that she was in raging heat. AGAIN. I feel like she was just in heat two weeks ago...oh wait, because she was!! Each time she's in heat, I think, "thank goodness, this must be the transitional heat, now we can relax and enjoy our winter off from hormones." Then she's back in heat before I know it.
To all my friends with geldings: you are way smarter than I am.
Jetta and Lucy must be on the same page because we're going through the *exact* same thing - I keep thinking this will be the last heat for the winter, when will it be over??
ReplyDeleteneverrrrr!
DeleteWe have a gelding and two mares. I have come to realize that I don't like mares. The constant heat and obnoxiousness is bad enough, but the mare is also a completely disgusting stall keeper. The gelding's stall is a breeze to do. I'm now doing horse classifieds searches with gelding only selected.
ReplyDeleteI like her 75% of the time. The rest is challenging.
DeleteI thought they stopped cycling in the winter? Although I guess winter doesn't technically start until tomorrow...they must just have time for one more! I have to say that thus far Dani is pretty darn consistent and I haven't noticed any overt mareishness *and* she lives in a barn with stallions, but I'm afraid the reason I determined I liked mares so much is I have never had much experience with one that *is* mareish. I do have Dani on Mare Magic but admittedly it is one of the least expensive supplements and I love the way it smells. She does too and will eat it plain out of my hand. No idea if it actually does anything :)
ReplyDeleteIn theory, yes, they are supposed to stop cycling. Is my horse defective hormonally? Well, it would go along with the trend lol.
DeleteI may have spoken too soon. Two new stallions in the barn, mare is nuts today. Related? Who knows.
DeleteI think it depends on temperatures, if it's been mild so far, there is no reason to stop going into heat quite yet, since her body would probably be telling her she could still be bred.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember the heats when Promise was Lucy's age being far worse than even 7 or 8 years old, particularly the first heat of the spring and last heat before winter. But in general, around 5, they were stronger/more hormonal/obnoxious/etc, lasted longer, seemed to have less time in between and all the other fun stuff that comes with them, lol. You have her on a mare supplement already, don't you?
I guess it has been kind of mild, but we have had some pretty cold nights and over the past couple weeks it has been "seasonal".
DeleteI keep hearing that 7-8 is the magic number. She'll be 7 in January!
forgot to say that yes, she's on SmartMare Harmony or Balance or whatever the hell SmartPak is calling it these days. It works great....she was even worse when she wasn't on it.
DeleteThis is somewhat random, but I have heard & even experienced to some degree, that some mares around the age of 6-8 years old, go through a hormone change when they suddenly become dominant, bitchy, fearful, spooky, or all of the above. In the wild, this is the age where mares become the "alpha" mare or really establish their place in the herd. almost like puberty maybe? Still no excuse for rude behavior but it popped into my mind.
ReplyDeleteWell, that wouldn't be any different from normal Lucy :)
DeleteShe's not ALWAYS that bad but when she's in heat, she lets you know. I empathize.
Yes...geldings. Lucy - better smarten up or there will be no carrots in your stocking!
ReplyDeleteI use red raspberry leaf for Shy. Works amazing to keep her mood in check and I think it actually keeps her heat cycles in check. I took her off of it for about 2 weeks and noticed a huge difference, then immediately put her back on.
ReplyDeleteOh Lucy! Give Kate a break.
ReplyDeleteYikes. Hope that she's better for your next ride...
ReplyDeleteHmmm. does make me ponder looking at mares or just geldings for my future ride. Hope she gets over herself and you guys can get back to happy rides
ReplyDeleteHaven't read the other comments so someone could have already asked, but do you have her on any mare supplements? I don't have Libby on them, yet, but I have a friend that put her mare on it this year due to her recurrent heat cycles. I'm pretty sure it was SmartMare, or the Smartpak equivalent.
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley, yes she is already on a mare supplement and believe it or not, it has made a big difference.
DeleteYes, I am glad I have a gelding ONLY b/c I can soooo sympathize with Lucy! I feel so raged myself as a female lately, lol ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great Xmas and travels to England!
Henry is a gelding... this has NOT been our week lol. I feel ya girl!
ReplyDeleteI have a non-mare ish mare, and people constantly tell me they can't believe she is a mare. I have no idea if she has always been this way or has mellowed with age. But she is twice the horse of every other gelding I had which all seemed a bit less rational. So you never know...
ReplyDelete