Mare Hormones and Behavior

A mare’s hormones naturally fluctuate throughout her estrous cycle, influencing behavior, attitude, and performance. During heat, some mares might show mood changes, distraction, or sensitivity, while others remain unaffected. Understanding these hormonal patterns—and when the behaviors extend beyond normal—is important for supporting your mare’s overall health. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt Carleigh Fedorka, PhD, of Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, describes normal mare behavior and how to determine when your mare’s behavior might be cause for concern.
This is an excerpt from our Ask TheHorse Live podcast, “Mare Reproductive Problems.” Listen to the full recording here.
About the Experts:
Carleigh Fedorka, PhD
Carleigh Fedorka, PhD, assistant professor of equine reproductive physiology at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, is a global expert in reproductive immunology. She has focused her research on understanding the relationship between the immune system and the reproductive tract, evaluating the efficacy of treatments on various reproductive disorders, and discovering biomarkers for reproductive health. Fedorka earned her BS degree from St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, and her PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, after working in the industry as a manager of a commercial Thoroughbred breeding farm. She maintains a presence in the equine industry by retraining countless off the track Thoroughbreds, including her personal event horses Judge Johnny (JJ) and Strike Two (Jeter). In her spare time, she enjoys fly fishing, spending time with her husband and their dog, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.

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