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mare and gelding mystery

3K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  horseservant 
#1 ·
I turned my 12 year old maiden mare out with a "gelding". Two months ago they had about 4 days of passion. My mare hasn't come into heat since....so the question is: Is the gelding really not all the way a gelding or is her cycle now really irregular?
Has anyone had a similar experience? The mare has been with me since a baby and never turned out with anything other than mares before. There are no other male horses for miles. The gelding is new.
 
#2 ·
Yes, this is rare but not uncommon. My aunt had a mare (10 yrold Paint) whom she purchased to ride/breed. She knew that the mare had had atleast 3 foals prior, but she decided to put her in with her riding horses instead of the other brood mares.
Well, the one gelding is proud-cut & still thinks he's a stud so ofcourse when they put the new mare in he "did his duty" & the same thing happened. She stopped going into heat & her milk bag even began to get bigger. Of course we knew that there was no way she was pregnant (her bag shouldn't have been filling up that fast anyhow), & so she talked to the vet & he informed us that she was going through a "phantom pregnancy".
It's more common in mares that have had foals before but does happen to inexperienced mares as well (expecially if they've never been around males & their hormones).
I'd just wait a little while to see if she'll go back into heat. If in doubt, you can always call the vet ;)
 
#3 ·
I sure hope it is a phantom pregnancy! They are both nice horses but I really don't want to have to keep them apart half the year to prevent an endless stream of offspring. If by some odd quirk of fate he is fertile I will keep the foal.
Horse rescues are overly full of horses and I don't need to generate more. I'd rather help a horse in need.
 
#8 ·
I sure hope it is a phantom pregnancy! They are both nice horses but I really don't want to have to keep them apart half the year to prevent an endless stream of offspring. If by some odd quirk of fate he is fertile I will keep the foal.
If he has no visible testicles, he will not be able to settle the mare.

The good lord did not create 'perfect' male testicles. They need to be outside of the body in order for the sperm to do their job. Think bulls, cats, dogs, human, etc etc.
 
#6 ·
the issue is more the lack of cycle of the mare now. My vet knows. If she doesn't cycle again between now and fall shots we will check her out. I've had mares and geldings together before but never had them get so romantic. I've seen other people's horses do it but not mine! I was just getting used to the idea that this would happen ever couple of weeks and I would have to avert my eyes and now they aren't interested in each other anymore and she treats him like a bad one night stand after being all in love!
I hoping to hear about people who may have had a mare behave this way in an irregular pattern. I've owned horses for 40 years and they have all had regular vet care so don't worry about me calling the vet if I think there is a reason.
I know I am using less than technical language here but I am trying to keep it G rated.
 
#7 ·
If he does not have any testicles that are descended (so he would obviously not be a gelding) he can not get her pregnant. If, by some strange miracle, he has a testicle up inside those sperm would not be viable.


Mares are mares.

Most that I have known when introduced to new horses seem to go into heat even if they were just in heat. And the new horses do not need to be male.
 
#9 ·
She didn't go into heat until 6 months after them being together and now she is not going into heat anymore. I'm thinking it might be that phantom pregnancy issue the first person mentioned.
Or perhaps she just isn't very regular and I hadn't paid that much attention before their display
 
#10 ·
She might also have a vaginal/uterine infection that will keep her from cycling.

Since you said there were multiple times she was penetrated, she could very well have an infection, especially if the gelding hasn't had his sheath cleaned.

I'd get the vet out to examine her, just in case.
 
#11 ·
I only know the gelding part from first hand knowledge. My last horse was a studdy gelding. He loved the ladies! He can and would mount every single time the mares were in heat. Not just once either! After pressure from the mare owners, I had him blood tested for testosterone levels. He is a gelding...for sure. We know that he was cut late and that has a lot to do with his behavior. In our situation, he did end up being fielded with a mare...just not one who was terribly receptive to his come ons. No matter if she was in heat or not.

My advice is, if his sheath is cleaned and he isnt terribly agressive...let it be. I highly doubt your mare is pregnant. It would have to be a miracle of miracles.

Good luck! I know these situations are frustrating...its just animals being animals
 
#12 · (Edited)
they have been together for 8 months and he only has mounted her during that one four day period. He really only acted studdy that four days. He was in another pasture and my other mare would come over to the gate and pee. He'd look confused and pee too.
He's been recently cleaned. She has no discharge. He is gentle with her. Unless I see anything really wrong before the fall shots I'll just have her checked then. I still wonder why she isn't cycling. She should have been in heat twice since then.
She is 12 years old.
 
#13 ·
He'd look confused and pee too.
QUOTE]

^^ Love this!

As soon as the mares went out of heat...Nico the manly man went back to being his short round self. He doesnt bother the ladies unless they are in heat. We are a barn full of old broodmares, which doesnt help the situation. He was one of 3 geldings there and the other two boys were probably gelded in the womb...lol. The girls were actually peeing INTO his stall. I was washing his face and chest a couple times a week because they were peeing all over him. Gross lil mares!
 
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