If you have a mare that is expecting, she will need daily maintenance but the first 7 months of the gestation period will require a little extra care on your part.

Make sure your mare is given the proper nutrition and keep her in good shape for the rigors of pregnancy through light exercise. Check with your vet as each pregnancy is unique but most people can continue riding their mares well into their pregnancies.

Also, keep her stress levels down. Don't transport her unless it is absolutely necessary, especially during the first 2 months of her pregnancy as that is when the chance of loss is the greatest. Do not introduce another horse to the herd at this time either.

Make sure her vaccinations are up to date and ask your vet what other vaccinations would be sensible for her at this time. As her pregnancy progresses, monitor her weight and watch for any signs she feels "off". In addition, much like when a woman is pregnant and has hormonally induced mood swings; a mare can have that also. Be aware she may love you one day and avoid you and everyone else the next.

About 9 months into her pregnancy, most vets will advise that she no longer be ridden but can be walked around her pasture or pen area for light exercise. During the 11th and final month of her pregnancy, keep an eye on your mare for signs she is in labor. One way is that her teats will fill and begin dripping milk. Birth usually occurs within a very short period of time after that.

Owning a mare can be a real challenge. They can be moody one day and pleasant as pie the next. Mares are wired a little different psychologically from their stallion counterparts.

In the wild, stallions are typically loners and the alpha horse stallion that is the head of the herd will have very little interaction with the mares beyond breeding purposes. Mares however are very social and determine the pecking order of the herd. More aggressive mares would be at the top of the hierarchy and the mares that are easier going would be at the bottom.

Mares are also hormonal creatures. Some can seem to have the horse counterpart to human PMS. How much her estrus cycle will affect her personality will depend on how aggressive she is. A mare with a dominant personality will definitely be a lot more ornery than a mare with a more laid-back demeanor.

The best defense for dealing with a moody mare is to be constant in your training and interactions with her. Many times a mare will "test" you and repeat undesirable behavior many times over just to see if she gets exactly the same reaction from you. Never let an incident pass or you just gave her the green light to misbehave.

There is another school of thought that herbal remedies can calm down a moody mare. Chaste Tree Berry is believed to have calming properties for horses. Chamomile is also believed to calm a moody mare down. Always consult with your vet before giving any horse supplemental treatments herbal or otherwise.

The best way to deal with a cantankerous mare is to always keep focused when you're with her and stay firm and consistent in your training and you should have no problem keeping her ornery spells in balance.