Management of Pregnancy in Mares

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Management of Pregnancy in Mares

• ABAS 4090

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The Twinning Tree
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Gestation Length

• Average 335 342
• Abort lt 300 days
• Premature 300 to 320
• Viable gt 320 days
• Influenced by
• Season Jan-Feb foaling, gestation 5-10d longer
• Fetal gender Colts longer
• Ergot Alkaloid ingestion Dopamine Agonist, gt360d

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General Health

• Annual Dental Care
• Deworming at 2-4 month intervals
• (check label for use in pregnant mares)
• Ivermectin on day of foaling
• Minimize transmission of strongyles 4 days after
  foaling
• Monitor fecal egg counts
• Nutrition maintain condition score of 6-7

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Use Good Judgement

• Transport mare only as necessary
• Avoid undue risk of injury or disease
  transmission by isolating broodmares from
  unstable horse populations
• Provide nutritious forage, but dont overfeed
• Supplementation unnecessary if diet is balanced
• Consult veterinarian regarding specific
  vaccination and deworming program
• Avoid use of hormones or other drugs unless
  specifically prescribed by veterinarian

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Preparation for Foaling

• 5,7 and 9 months
• Manage against potential exposure to
  rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1)
• At 9 months
• increase feed by 10
• consider providing calcium supplement to achieve
  2 1
• Calcium Phosphorous Ratio

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Preparation for Foaling

• At 10 months
• Increase feed an additional 5
• Vaccinate (about 1 month before due date)
• Relocate to foaling area
• Deworm to manage infestation of foal

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Passive Transfer of Immunity
Maternal Antibody Production
Vaccination Area Antigen Exposure
Intake and Absorption By Foal
Antibody Incorporation Into Colostrum
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Other Vaccines

• Rabies
• Strangles
• Botulism
• Potomac Horse Fever
• West Nile Virus
• Equine Viral Arteritis

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Preparation for Foaling

• At 11 months
• monitor closely
• remove Caslicks
• prepare place for foaling

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Foaling Kit

• veterinarians phone number
• cell phone
• hard brush
• clean bucket
• sponge
• Ivory dish soap
• source of warm water
• tail wrap
• Blunt surgical scissors
• enema
• plastic cup

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Foaling Kit

• thermometer
• small baby bottle
• 35cc syringe
• twitch
• IgG test kit
• flashlight
• chain shank
• nylon o.b. strap
• note pad and pencil
• 7 iodine or Nolvasan solution

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Impending signs of Foaling

• Mammary development
• Loss of muscle tone around tail head
• Elongated vulva
• Waxing
• Dripping milk

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Prediction of Foaling Time
6 1, Distilled Water to Milk Ratio
1 or 2 zones ( lt 200 ppm CaCO3) Less than 10
within 24 hrs 3 to 4 zones (200 to 400 ppm
CaCO3) 60 in 24 hrs 85 in 36 hrs 99 in 72 hrs
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Stage I of Labor

• Signs of discomfort
• Increased heart rate
• Light sweating
• Change in shape
• Cervical and vulvar
• relaxation
• Duration 30 min to
• 4 hours

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Stage II
Active Labor Should last only about 20
min Assist if the foal is not presented
normally or if there is no progress after each 5
minute period
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Stage III
Tie up placenta Do not pull Clean mares
underside and bag Should pass within 3 hours
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After Foaling

• 12 to 24 hr Uterine size reduced, obvious
  discharge normal
• 5 to 15 days Involution, resorption of
  microcaruncles by d7, Foal heat, cervix does not
  normally close until after ovulation.
• Day 10 mares with ovulations after day 10 post
  foaling have more normal conception and pregnancy
  rates.

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Lactation

• 1st 3 months Milk production
• 3 Body weight / day
• 70 increased energy requirement
• 120 increased protein requirement
• ( above maintenance levels)

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Lactation (cont.)

• After 3 months Milk production
• 2 Body weight / day
• 50 increased energy requirement
• 60 increased protein requirement
• ( above maintenance levels)