Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

As a horse breeder and owner of many mares / broodmares I'll share that a 
mare cycles fairly regularly, similar in timing to the human female. 
However, the mare's potential for pregnancy has a narrow window of 
opportunity and during that period a mare may exhibit behavior not common 
during the non-heat periods.

Some mares are rather "silent" about being in heat (aka: in season), some 
are blatant, and most are somewhere in between. Cycles and related behavior 
tends to be stronger in the spring and summer, and some mares barely cycle 
in the cooler months or have a false cycle where they couldn't become 
pregnant. During the most intense breedable portion of the cycle a mare is 
more focused on procreation and tends to more easily distracted. This is 
caused by hormonal changes and physical changes internally.

Commonly the mare will pay less attention to the handler or rider unless 
that handler / rider has the knowledge and experience to insist on manners, 
stay focused, etc. Mares that live in an environment where their human 
handler doesn't have the skills to control the mare - or doesn't bother to 
insist on manners, etc. - learn through experience they don't need to 
control their behavior and sometimes blatant misbehavior can occur. Mares 
who display misbehavior during their heat cycle often also display 
misbehavior the rest of the time - it is simply more obvious during the 
cycle.

Mares in full season can be a distraction to other horses during a SAR. Even 
if that mare is under control, the scent of the mare in season can cause 
problems for other riders who don't know how to control their mounts around 
a mare in season. Also, a mare can experience physical discomfort during her 
season. Infrequently you find a mare that finds it painful to pack a rider's 
weight during the strongest part of the cycle. In general, it is safest to 
ask that a mare in full season not be ridden during SAR ... even if that 
mare is well under the control of the handler / rider.

If a mare is not intended for breeding or isn't suitable for breeding, the 
owner may want to invest in a surgery that essentially spays the mare.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
CEOates Ranch
www.CEOates.com