Which hormone management techniques allow mares to be at their competitive best? H&H investigates
Regumate
Regumate is a synthetic progesterone-containing medicine that suppresses the behavioural signs of oestrus. It is administered orally on a daily basis.
Pros
• Proven to be the most effective hormone suppressant
• Now allowed under FEI rules (although paperwork must be completed with the FEI vet prior to competition)
• Should not compromise long-term fertility
Cons
• Costly — in the region of £30-£40 for a two-week course
• Must be given daily
• High risk of cross-contamination
• Must handle with care
Mare-bles
Mare-bles are glass marbles placed in the uterus to manage behavioural problems. It is thought that the marbles mimic pregnancy in the mare.
Pros
• Does not rely on medication
• When it does work, it is effective and does not appear to cause discomfort to the mare
• No risk of the cross-contamination you could get with some medication
Cons
• Not widely available in the UK
• Not always effective
• Undetectable from the outside, so could cause problems when horses change ownership
• Risk of uterine inflammation
Natural/herbal/homeopathic supplements
Various alternative remedies which are usually in the form of dried herbs or liquid added to feed.
Pros
• Cheap compared with Regumate
• Should not compromise long-term fertility
• A wide variety of products to choose from
Cons
• No ‘hard’ science to prove they work
• Risk of some of them containing banned substances
• Their effectiveness can vary greatly from mare to mare
For the full article on managing competition mares, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (1 July, ’10)
