Mule in Heat

nonny's dee · 08-30-2008, 09:26 PM

Does anyone have any experience with mules in heat? I've done some research and discovered that it is unusual for mules to come into heat because they're sterile. From what I've read, my Miss Tilly's heat cycles and irrational behavior are rare. Hooray for me! I talked to one vet who said I should get her an ultrasound to make sure she doesn't have any underlying medical problems, such as cysts. I have Tilly on Moody Mare now, but barring any medical problem (other then hormones!), I am thinking of spaying her. It is my intention to be her forever home so it would be nice if she was more predictable in her behavior. She spooks when she's in heat, is nervous, and becomes very bossy and vocal.
Right now we're working on getting her feet in good shape - her front hoof has a crack that the farrier says will be fine...and yet I worry...she hadn't had farrier care in 6 months when she came to me, with the crack...arghh
When she arrived, she was wormy and had a huge hay belly - so big that would have thought she was going to foal any minute. She's been wormed and she's lost some weight - my goal is to get her fit before winter.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!

ToveroMom · 08-30-2008, 09:42 PM

They are 99.9999% sterile but they still have parts..and parts is parts.
My friend had hers spayed. She was a hellacious beast every 3 weeks.
So do not feel all alone.
Hope vet finds something easily fixed for you.

**taelesean** · 08-30-2008, 09:54 PM

Yup, mules have all the parts, so they get all the hormones, urges and whatnot - all the biological

that full horses go through. Only thing is, they very, very rarely can become pregnant.

Akita it Girl · 09-01-2008, 12:33 PM

I have never had exsperiance with mules, but I do know that they can come into heat though it is unlikely they will become pregnent.

pasopony · 09-02-2008, 04:12 PM

You can also have her marbled. The vet can insert a stainless steel ball (marble) into her uterous which basically acts as an IUD for horses. This will keep her from coming into season. Marbling is not that expensive. Can last anywhere from a few cycles to a year or so. The marble is naturally expelled. Another option is a depo-provera shot which will last most of the season. Just giving you some options in case spaying is too expensive.

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08-30-2008, 09:26 PM
nonny's dee Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate, New York Posts: 5	Mule in Heat Does anyone have any experience with mules in heat? I've done some research and discovered that it is unusual for mules to come into heat because they're sterile. From what I've read, my Miss Tilly's heat cycles and irrational behavior are rare. Hooray for me! I talked to one vet who said I should get her an ultrasound to make sure she doesn't have any underlying medical problems, such as cysts. I have Tilly on Moody Mare now, but barring any medical problem (other then hormones!), I am thinking of spaying her. It is my intention to be her forever home so it would be nice if she was more predictable in her behavior. She spooks when she's in heat, is nervous, and becomes very bossy and vocal. Right now we're working on getting her feet in good shape - her front hoof has a crack that the farrier says will be fine...and yet I worry...she hadn't had farrier care in 6 months when she came to me, with the crack...arghh When she arrived, she was wormy and had a huge hay belly - so big that would have thought she was going to foal any minute. She's been wormed and she's lost some weight - my goal is to get her fit before winter. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!

08-30-2008, 09:42 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,313	They are 99.9999% sterile but they still have parts..and parts is parts. My friend had hers spayed. She was a hellacious beast every 3 weeks. So do not feel all alone. Hope vet finds something easily fixed for you. __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

08-30-2008, 09:54 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,677	Yup, mules have all the parts, so they get all the hormones, urges and whatnot - all the biological that full horses go through. Only thing is, they very, very rarely can become pregnant. __________________

09-01-2008, 12:33 PM
Akita it Girl Weanling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Md Posts: 345	I have never had exsperiance with mules, but I do know that they can come into heat though it is unlikely they will become pregnent. __________________ Everyone has their hobbies...mine just happens to include whips, spurs and leather.

09-02-2008, 04:12 PM
pasopony Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 821	You can also have her marbled. The vet can insert a stainless steel ball (marble) into her uterous which basically acts as an IUD for horses. This will keep her from coming into season. Marbling is not that expensive. Can last anywhere from a few cycles to a year or so. The marble is naturally expelled. Another option is a depo-provera shot which will last most of the season. Just giving you some options in case spaying is too expensive. __________________ Horses are not my whole life, but horses make my life whole.