Why do mares slip foals

Embryo transfer is sometimes a better proposition for these mares, as getting in foal is not as much of a problem as the uterus not being a good environment for the developing foetus. Chromosomal defects generally lead to pregnancy loss before days of gestation. Other deformities in the skeleton, the internal organs or the immune system can similarly lead to loss of a pregnancy. However, not all deformed foetuses will abort, some are born alive and need to be euthanised on humane grounds shortly thereafter.

Examples include severe wry nose and severe cleft palate abnormalities. The Eastern Tent Caterpillar has been implicated in abortion in some areas of Australia. Also of importance are some toxic weeds and grasses linked with abortion, along with insecticides and weed poisons that should be used carefully around pregnant mares.

Fundic pregnancy — this is the term used where instead of implanting in one horn of the uterus, the pregnancy implants either in the body of the uterus or at the junction of the uterus and the horns. In this location, there is insufficient space for the foetus to continue growing. Twins — most twin pregnancies will spontaneously abort.

In the event the pregnancies survive to term, at least one, if not both foals will be undersized and may not be viable. Twin pregnancies are far less common now, owing to the widespread use of ultrasound scanning in early pregnancy.

The presence of a fever in the mare can be harmful to the developing foetus, which is not capable of coping well with temperatures outside the normal range. Equally the presence of endotoxaemia e. Physical trauma is a less common cause of abortion, the fluid uterus protects the foetus within well. The impact of emotional stress and physical pain of the mare on a pregnancy is difficult to quantify but may be a contributing factor in some abortions — if high levels of cortisone are being produced by the mare over a reasonable duration of time.

Short term pain in the form of a foot abscess or laceration appears to be well tolerated by the pregnant mare. Pregnant mares need to be fed appropriately. Malnourished mares may abort in order to ensure their own survival. Underweight mares may also develop characteristic sunken conformation around the vulva and anus, predisposing them to ascending infections and placentitis. We try to do the best job that we can do, so that farm managers are breeding a reproductively sound mare with a relatively fertile stallion and end up with a positive outcome.

Unfortunately, there are just some mares that are going to lose their pregnancies. We can't always figure out why. People concede that there is a certain percentage of mares that will come up empty and we will try to get them bred again this year or next.

Mare management, which farm managers have in their control, is extremely intense, especially in Thoroughbred breeding. Their ability to properly care for the mare during foaling and breeding, maintain excellent nutrition and health and eliminate stresses in her environment, are each important in reproductive success. With careful management and veterinary monitoring using ultrasound, hopefully a healthy full-term foal will stand and suckle her dam.

Veterinary interventions and good management practices will help to ensure that outcome. Kane is a freelance writer for equine topics and senior nutritionist with Stuart Products, Inc. He holds a Ph. D in equine physiology and nutrition from the University of Kentucky. By Role. Early foal losses in mares. February 1, Ed Kane, PhD. The extrinsic factors in mare reproduction are those that can be manipulated. Foal heat and lactation Feces in vagina Higher incidence of embryonic and early fetal loss has also been seen in lactating versus non-lactating mares.

Stress The role of maternal stress and its possible relationship to progesterone concentrations and embryonic loss in mares requires further investigation.

Nutrition There are several nutrients, including vitamins A and E that are lower under such circumstances. After Caslick's procedure. Prevention, management of early pregnancy loss Some management practices can help prevent early pregnancy loss.

Other steps can be used to alleviate embryonic loss. Other steps Oocyte transfer to bypass the oviduct may assist mares when primary embryonic defects are not the cause.

Fertility will be better if the mare population is managed carefully. Mare management "I think if you take a random group of mares and don't carefully manage them, that's when you come up with these 70 percent conception rates, and 55 percent foaling rates," suggests Bud Hallowell, DVM, of Auburn, Wash. Mare veterinary care procedures The primary candidates are older mares and mares that have had problems, whether foaling problems, or those with endometritis early in their season. They may easily pick up infections due to streptococcus or coliform bacteria.

The hospital electric security gates are closed from 8pm to 6am and you will need to ring the gate phone to gain entrance. For hospital appointments and referrals , contact Anna Greensmith on selecting option 2 for the hospital.

For account queries , contact selecting option 3 for accounts or contact Jenny Forbes on Early embryonic loss may be predicted from the appearance on the ultrasound scan.

The signs include:. Abortion is defined as the delivery of a dead foetus less than days into gestation i. If abortion occurs before 4 months the abortion is rarely noticed as the foetus is too small.

Abortions can be caused by infectious or non-infectious factors. The results of these examinations and tests will be vital, not only in diagnosing the cause of the abortion, but for recommending the correct treatment for the mare, risk assessment of other mares on the premises and also predicting the breeding future of the affected mare. Twins are highly undesirable in the mare. If twins are not identified and treated in early pregnancy the usual outcome is abortion in late gestation.

Nearly all twin pregnancies result from double ovulations. These may occur close together or several days apart within a single oestrous period. The incidence of double ovulations differs between breeds and increases with the age of the mare.

Twinning is a serious source of loss to the breeding industry. The cause of embryonic loss is the inability of the endometrium to provide adequate nutrition for both embryos. Twins located in the same horn are likely to die earlier in the pregnancy because the vesicles are in contact with each other rather than with the lining of the uterus and their nutrition is reduced. Some mares even develop some oedema fluid retention on their bellies.

A normal vulva left , and a relaxed, longer vulva when the mare is close to foaling. The hind end will loosen up before foaling. If you lift her tail daily, you will notice she has strong tone in her tail and gives you some resistance. The closer she is to foaling, the less to no resistance you will feel when lifting her tail. Your usually sweet mare may become aggressive towards other horses or even people. When foaling is imminent, the mare should be in a clean grassy area, alone and with a mate nearby.

If you notice the mare becoming restless, monitor her closely. We advise supervising the mare closely during foaling, whilst maintaining enough distance to avoid disturbing the natural foaling process. Ideally mares require checks at least every half hour from when she starts displaying early signs of foaling. Do not be afraid to approach the mare more closely if you have any concerns as to her well — being during foaling — she is unlikely to be disturbed by this and it is vital to make sure the foaling is progressing without problems.

You should be prepared, have a first aid kit containing scissors, disinfectant, string, dilutediodine and towels on hand. It is also a good idea to have a torch. Remember to have our number with you when you check your mare — Do not be afraid to call if you have any concerns day or night — a false alarm is far better than delaying a call for assistance. Biting at the flanks or looking at her abdomen can appear to be similar to the signs of colic.

She has returned to this place several times in the last few hours to lay down. During the early stages of labour, it is not unusual for the mare to get up and down several times.

She is typically repositioning the foal in the birth canal, or may simply be uncomfortable! Foaling can be a test of patience. Mares have been known to remain in this stage for several hours. Monitoring is recommended, keeping your distance and if in doubt, consult your vet. If at this stage you notice the membrane to be red as opposed to white call us immediately, Within the white membrane, you should now see the appearance of a foot, followed shortly by another foot, and then the nose.

Once the front feet, head and neck are presented in this manner the foaling should continue to progress. Once the foal is out of the mare, manual rupture of the amniotic membrane should be performed if it has not naturally occurred,otherwise the foal will suffocate right.

Apart from this, you should have no other interference with mare or foal, and allow them bonding time. Do not disturb the mare or attempt to move the foal from behind the mare.