Spring may be months away, but it’s not too early to start thinking about the arrival of sunny, warm weather and how you’ll begin preparing for an active show season. This can be especially true if you own a mare. The longer days not only afford more opportunity to ride; they also increase the activity of the hormones involved in equine reproduction, triggering her estrous cycle and likely some unwelcome changes in her attitude and behavior. Planning for that now can help you both weather the ups and downs of estrus and keep your plans for riding, training and competing on track.
Recognize What’s Happening
Many mares begin
