What supplements to use for mare PMS???

[tx3dayeventer]

Her symptoms:
Pinning ears while trotting when ridden, even in 2-point (but fine on lunge line)
Sore back/loin (over her hips)
Constant whinnying while riding
Inattentive (because of the whinnying)


Sounds like Mare PMS to me (not that I know from personal experience :rolleyes:). I just got her on Sunday and previous owner did say she was in heat but I have not witnessed any squealing, squirting, or other obvious signs. She has already had a baby (he is 4 or 5).

When I was riding her last night, I ended up just walked on a loose rein b/c she was very uncomfortable in the trot & canter.

What would ya'll look at using?

Mare Magic?
Moody Mare?
Something else?

We won't be doing any recognized shows until April or so. I tried doing a search but havent come up with much.

[jn4jenny]

Forgive me if you've already thought of this, but talk to your vet before you start throwing supps at her. Those symptoms can sometimes mean ovary problems and could require surgery.

[Melyni]

I'd check a few things first:
Saddle fit
ulcers
Give her time to settle in and get to know the farm and you,

Then I'd try her on extra magnesium, cheap, easy to get impossible to overdose (by mouth).
Then I'd go with one of the herbals mare preps like Stability EQ, Mare Magic, Moody Mare etc.
YOurs
MW

[tx3dayeventer]

I'd check a few things first:
Saddle fit
ulcers
Give her time to settle in and get to know the farm and you,

Then I'd try her on extra magnesium, cheap, easy to get impossible to overdose (by mouth).
Then I'd go with one of the herbals mare preps like Stability EQ, Mare Magic, Moody Mare etc.
YOurs
MW

Thank you. I have ridden many a mare (I love them!) and this is the first that I have ever been on that has done the trot in front canter behind, with rump up higher than shoulders, with ears pinned.

I figured I would ask. The saddle seems to fit her well but I will try a different one tonight and see if that makes a difference.

[mypaintwattie]

My mare had many of the same symptoms, after checking saddle fit and talking with my vet I began treating her for ulcers, and wow! what a difference it has made! My previously grumpy mare now greets me with a nicker and isn't nearly as grouchy under saddle any more. We still have our 'bad mare days' but they are few and far between now.

My mare is on: vit. B and Magnesium, aloe vera, ranitidine, and probios.

[Sparky Boy]

Sounds like more than a moody mare to me too. I'd check some of the things listed above.

[Hampton Bay]

I agree, before you assume that it is just mare moodiness, check anything else that could be bothering her. I would check the fit of the saddle, bridle, and bit, check for ulcers, examine the diet (too much sugar in some and protein in others can make them nutty), and check the balance of her hooves. Sometimes poorly balanced hooves can cause muscle soreness.

I would then agree with Melyni and start with magnesium. I prefer epsom salts (1/4 cup for 1000lb horse, decrease if she gets soft poop). It has made a world of difference for my mare. It is intended to be taken internally (it is sold as a human laxative), so it is perfectly safe to feed.

If you are not seeing signs of heat, I would not assume her behavior is heat-related. Many horses get upset when moved to a new facility, so the whinnying and lack of focus could be that.

[Ritazza]

How old is this mare? Ovarian tumors can cause grouchiness and pain; something to keep in mind.

[camohn]

We have one of them and I do know it it heat relatd since normally she is fine and gets like that like clockwork with her heat cycles only. The Wendals Herbs have worked well for her.

[deltawave]

Gee, I'd give her a chance to settle in before looking to "medicate" something. Also she probably isn't cycling right now, given the fact it's anestrus time for horses. Please don't just go looking to hormones as an immediate explanation for everything--it drives me nuts when people do that about people AND horses. :)

[JB]

I agree, I would not just assume "moody mare" or PMSing. A sore back is not PMS or moodiness. Pinning ears when ridden but not lunged is not moodiness or PMS. Something physical is going on - figure that out first :)

[purplnurpl]

with the 3 year old western pleasure horse I'm training.

She is pretty good most of the time. But when she canters with me on her her, 80% of the time her ears are majorly pinned. No tail swish or any other signs of grouchiness. But those ears are glued to her head!

I'm glad you guys are talking about this.

My suspicions would be:
ulcers
shitty feet (their farrier sucks and her feet are crap. Her shoes were just recently pulled)
PMS?

I have no idea. So please continue this talk...

[deltawave]

Not to mention that horses do not "menstruate", so PMS is just wrong on so many levels when talking about a mare. :)

[BornToRide]

If she has severe hormonal imbalance you will know when she comes into heat, but often those mares react very agressively towards other horses most of the time.

I agree, she may have other issues, as alreday pointed out. If is it hormone related, than vitex might be a good choice to try as well.