I have a mare who gets rather cranky (bucking, kicking, biting) when
she is in season. After considerable discussion on options I ended up
having the equivalent of a "Norplant" implanted under the skin of my
mare. The "Norplant" lasted about 7 months (it was inserted in early
February and removed in September), it was implanted under the skin in
her neck, mid-way between poll and wither) under the mane. It took
one stitch, felt like it was about 1/2 inch long and maybe 1/8 wide.
If you didn't know and you rubbed her neck, you thought that she had a
bug bite or something.
Some of the vets I talked with didn't like the idea of stopping the
heat cycle, but could give me no specifics when it came to tangible
risks.
However, for me, it worked great. Her temperament stayed even, it
cost less than Regumate ($60, including the farm call, procedure and
"Norplant"), and it was no-hassle. (This year my plan is to insert
the "Norplant" in late March, or maybe in April.)
If you are interested, I will dig out my records at home and give you
the technical name of the "Norplant".
I rode the mare in 11 rides during the 1995 season (primarily 25 and
50 milers). Because she is young, I did not have any competitive
goals so we certainly did not go fast. However, in my research I came
across a woman who events who uses the same "mare temperament control"
and she was very aggressive in her competitive goals. She had had no
physiological problems using the "Norplant".
If you are interested in more information, let me know and I'll dig up
my records.
Sue McLain
MCLAINSM@PUGET.COM