Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Mare Doesn't Show Signs of Heat
Summary
During the breeding season (April through October in the northern hemisphere), mares should be in obvious heat approximately 5 days out of each 21 day cycle. Many mares show outward signs of heat during estrus, even without being exposed to a stallion. Most should show obvious signs of estrus when exposed to a stallion.
In this case, you expect your mare to be in heat but she fails to show any sign of estrus. When exposed to a stallion she is not receptive. You have tried this several times and she consistently appears unreceptive.
There are several things that could be going on. The mare might truly not be in heat, or she may be coming into heat but not behaving as though she is. This is known as silent heat or behavioral anestrus.
In this case, you expect your mare to be in heat but she fails to show any sign of estrus. When exposed to a stallion she is not receptive. You have tried this several times and she consistently appears unreceptive.
There are several things that could be going on. The mare might truly not be in heat, or she may be coming into heat but not behaving as though she is. This is known as silent heat or behavioral anestrus.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- You hope to breed the mare as soon as possible.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- There is no hurry in breeding the mare.
your role
What To Do
Assess the mare's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to her body condition score (BCS). Check the vulvar area for any obvious abnormalities and look for discharge. Consider whether there is a possibility she is already pregnant.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Less Common
your vet's role
Your vet will start with rectal palpation and ultrasound of the mare's reproductive tract. The results of those diagnostics will provide the basic information to determine a path for managing the problem.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the mare have a foal at her side?
- Are you exposing the mare to a stallion?
- Has the mare had prior foals or is she a maiden?
- What is the mare's age, breed and history?
- Can you identify when your mare is in heat versus not?
- Have you ever seen the mare in heat before?
- Does the mare appear normal otherwise?
- What is the mare's body condition and feeding now?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Rare
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
