Mare Matters

[Roughquest]

I own a 15 y/o mare (horse) and have owned her for almost a year now, when can I expect her to come into season ? I have no wish to breed from her, but my friend and i were wondering what to expect - will she be hard to handle, moody mare if she in season? Or is she past this now at her senior age?
Thanks!

[bubbly girly]

she's is probably past it but if you are wanting a positive answer and not just a guess then don't listen to my answer.

[B00]

During the breeding season from March to October, mares show regular seasons lasting four to six days. These recur 14 to 16 days after the end of the previous season. Mares thus have a breeding cycle of around three weeks duration.

And no, she's not too old, I once knew someone who's mare at 16 was pregnant.

[Clanad]

Here in the western U.S., mares will come into season (estrus) during the warmer months, say April to maybe October. I have friends in some southern States that say their mares will come into season year round. Their cycle is usually lasts about three weeks and a noticeable change is displayed in your mare. If not around a stud or even a gelding, you might notice a holding of the tail higher after a very brief urination. She will tend to squat, as well. If she's around a stud or even an interested gelding, she'll be quite interested, which she would not be if not in season. Here in horse country, the best way to determine her season is to put her in proximity to a tethered stud. She'll be very interested, often nuzzling or "presenting" if she's deep in heat... By the way, for a healthy, active mare, 15 years old isn't too old by any means...

[LaLa1705]

it could be that her seasons are mild and she is coming into season all thru spring and summer as she should but there is no change in her behaviour or body language so you don't realise?It's not like in a dog, there's no blood or anything so it's possible she just has very quiet seasons.My first horse was like this for years until a new gelding came to the yard,well that was the end of her quiet seasons, she wanted this boy bad!