How do you know when a horse is in season/heat? And what is the proper name for it?

1) Squirting, flirting with geldings, driving stallions a mile away nuts, winking vulva, general stupidity

2) in Estrus

"Ask a mare, tell a gelding, discuss with a stallion."  Your pick.

Some mares you'll never notice, others are HUGE flirts ;)

For those who show signs (to a stallion, gelding, even another mare), they will lift their tails, possibly squat, and "pee" ... usually just a little bit, and their vulvas will "wink" They may also make noises (kinda a squeal).

It's called being in season, being in heat, being "in" or in estrus if you want to be technical ;)

Jessi

Thanks for your help. Going by your symptoms, I have a horse in heat. How long do they stay in heat?

Thanks again!

Too long when you are trying to ride/get things done, not long enough when you are trying to breed :)