QuestionHi! I asked a question last week concerning our mini mare. Well everything is getting better with her attitude! she has not had an episode since that one...other than the occasional nipping at ya. but I have another concern right now. She is locked up in a large stall w/ her baby. but we have a reg sized saddle horse we just got gelded on Friday! the vet said he could breed one more time? and that our mare would be in heat/season about 9 days after giving birth!! Well he is not near her but he did jump the fence on Sunday(just 2 days after his surgery!) We are afraid he may be smelling her in the air?? HOw long do mares stay in heat(is that the correct word for that? i feel like I am talking about a dog? LOL! sorry... forgive my ignorance we have just never had to deal w/ the mating habits of horses before) only had geldings(already gelded) when I was younger! Thanks for any help you can give. hOpe this made some sense!!
AnswerHi Crystal-
Thanks for the question, its a good one. Normally, a mare is able to be impregnated for 5-7 days every 21 or so days. There is also the "foal heat" which is generally 9-10 days after birth and lasts 5-7 days, then they normally go back to their regular cycle which again commonly doesn't occur during the winter months. Geldings can have some residual active semen after gelding (there are arguments as to how long) but even so, given his recent surgery, jumping the fence and the whole size difference thing (unless she was on a chair) I think it is doubtful although, I suppose, possible. Hope this helps. Best, Toni
