Mares in heat, are no doubt the most difficult to
train. It never fails. You have every intention to warm up for that upcoming show, and then wham! Mother Nature will interfere with your plans. Cycling mares are nervous, have a shorter attention span and will not perform the already learned lessons, satisfactory.
You simply cannot fight Mother Nature. But, all is not lost. It seems that cycling mares have more energy, and I like to take advantage of this. Additional longe line work will enable you to school your mare and perhaps even get on with the so called lesson. And, if you are doing high performance schooling, such as hunter/jumper work, you may find that your mare is able to perform more boldly and a little longer than usual. However, if progress is not being made, do not get discouraged, simply take a break for a couple of days. After all, the poor dear is merely responding to her hormones.
Modern veterinary technology, now offers spaying your mule as a solution. I have read and heard many positive things about this procedure. If you are a serious show person, this would no doubt, be an option for you. This issue needs to be taken seriously though, since mules respond differently to anesthesia and other medications, as compared to the horse. And, keep in mind, this procedure doesn't work on all mare mules. Sometimes, the brain will send a message through the mare's body, that it is time to cycle. In other words, she is psychologically in heat.
That is what caused your problems in the beginning, right? It is worth researching, so by all means, talk with your vet.
Source: http://www.everycowgirlsdream.com
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