horse winking after breeding

Question
our 8 year old mare was in heat for about6 days and on the 6th or 7th day we figure she was bred cause she was accepting the stallion.  it has now been 5-7 days later and at times when the stud is around her or the other mares are agressive towards her she begins winking but no real fluid just mostly the action.  does this mean that she was not really bred on the 6th or 7th day. just wondering what is going on with her.   thanks,    vic

Answer
Hi Vicky,

Mares are generally receptive to the stud within a day of coming into heat.  By the 6th or 7th day, they should be no longer wanting to accept the stud.  Are you pasture breeding rather than hand breeding?  

The winking could be a sign of submission on her part.  Some mares will act like they are in heat to try to get another horse to not be aggressive toward them.

Also, some mares will have prolonged heats due to a lack of ovulation.  If they never ovulate, they will stay in heat for very long periods of time.

Mares that show submission by winking and mares that have prolonged heats are very difficult to know when to breed and to know whether or not they did settle.  You just never know when they are in "true" heat.
Your best bet is to wait the 16 days or so and have her ultrasounded to see if she did get pregnant.