Mare (horse)
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- This page is on equines; for other uses see mare
A mare (from an old Germanic word, possibly derived from Gaulish) is an adult female horse; the young female is a filly. The word mare is an etymological root of marshal (originally Latin marescalcus 'horse servant', or stable hand).
The word can also be used for other female equine animals.
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[edit] Behavior
Mares are considered easier to handle than stallions. However, mares have a notorious, if sometimes undeserved, reputation of being "marish," meaning that they can be cranky or unwilling on the ground or under saddle, especially when they come into season. Due to this, many amateur riders prefer geldings. However, there are many riders who prefer mares because they generally try very hard for their rider, perhaps more so than the average gelding. Some mares may also be placed on hormone therapies, such as Regumate or herbal remedies, which are believed to help control their "marish" behavior.
[edit] Uses
Mares are used in every equestrian sport. However, there are some that prefer mares over male horses, or vice-versa. Bedouins desired mares on their raids, because stallions would nicker to the opposing camps' horses, whereas mares would be quiet.
Mares are also used as dairy animals, especially by the nomads and formerly nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Fermented mare's milk, known as kumis, is the national drink of Kyrgyzstan.
Mares are kept in North America for the production of their urine.PREgnant MAres' uRINe is the active ingredient in the hormonal drug Premarin.
[edit] Heraldry
The mare occurs very rarely as a charge in heraldry.
[edit] Derived terms
A broodmare is a mare used for breeding.
- A mare's nest is an expression for "excitement over something which does not exist" since 1619
[edit] Disorders more common in mares
Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis has been cited[citation needed] as more common in mares and fillies than in male horses, suggesting that there is a hormonal component to the disorder. This is especially true for "hot" and excitable mares.
