Keeping Mare from cycling for next 4 weeks

[Pandarus33]

My daughter's idiot gelding decided that he would become a "stud" for the first time in 15 years. While one of my mares was more than receptive, she wound up kicking the crap out of him and bruising one of his tendons. He was unrideable for nearly three weeks.

I have no way of separating them and can't afford to have the gelding out of commission for another two weeks when she goes into heat again in August. My daughter is taking him to college on the 23rd and HAS to have him sound. I need something to keep her from coming into heat until then and it has to be pretty certain to work.

Who here has had that problem and what have you done to stop it? My vet recommends Progesterone shots. I won't use Regumate as the girl who feeds my horses shouldn't be near it. What has anyone experienced with the shots and how effective were they in stopping the heat cycle for a while?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[pintopiaffe]

Ask your vet about biorelease Altrenogest. It's one shot per... 2 weeks? I think there might be a longer one even. We use it for timing in breedings, but my vet was so pleased with it's efficacy for that, he was going to try it on some of the track mares instead of Regumate. Even 2 shots is cheaper and easier than daily Regumate.

Editing to add: the biorelease Altrenogest is available from BET Pharm in KY. You can google them and get a phone number, they *do* actually answer questions to Joe Citizen, though obviously only ship to vets.

[magnolia73]

They use progesterone on a few mares at my farm. One was absolutely nasty- constantly peeing, acting studdish, just a red hot mess of hormones. She's been great since they started. I want to say there was a bit of a lag time though between starting the drug and her behavior modifying. Your vet should be able to let you know how dependable it is in the short term.

Perhaps there is also some sort of sedative that can be used to further modify their behavior?

[maybedog]

There now is a Regumate implant that lasts for 100 days.

[Horseymama]

I second the Altrenogest. I think it's once every seven days, though. Way easier than feeding Regumate!

[osgoka01]

Depo shots..... We give them to our mares AND geldings for show season. It helps to keep everyone mellow while we travel.