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03 Jun Breeding Guide

Posted at 22:50h in Vet News by

Before the Season Begins

  • Breeding Soundness Exam
    • To determine if the mare will make a good breeding candidate and if there are issues needing correction.
    • Requires adequate scanning facility, sedation rarely used.
    • External genital exam – of the vulva, udder, teats for conformational faults, discharge or other problems that may predispose to infection or prevent her from nursing effectively.
    • Rectal/Ultrasound examination – of the uterus, cervix and ovaries to check for any abnormalities including tumors, infection, scarring, or cysts.
    • Speculum exam – of the vagina and cervix for scarring, urine pooling and inflammation.
    • Uterine and clitoral swabs are performed closer to breeding time, however if infection is suspected they can be done earlier to be treated before the breeding season.
    • If any abnormalities are treatable, a plan will be made to ensure she is suitable to breed for the season.
  • Choose stud, stallion, method
    • Natural, chilled or frozen semen?
    • Local, interstate or international stallion?
    • Is mare approval required?
    • Do they offer a live foal guarantee?
  • Find out Breeding farm/Vet requirements
    • Vaccinations, anthelmintic treatments, uterine and/or clitoral swabs.
    • Do they require your veterinarian to set the mare up for breeding or theirs?
    • Chilled semen – how much notice for a collection? are there any days they are unable to?
    • How will it be shipped to you? Will you need to pick it up from the airport?
    • Frozen semen – needs to be at your vets prior to breeding her.
  • Nutrition
    • Lighter side (not thin) through autumn and early winter with her feed increased during late winter and spring so that she is slowly gaining weight.
    • Obese mares and mares that are losing weight are more likely to have fertility issues.
    • Hard keepers – vet check her for medical issue, dental exam and faecal egg count.
    • Minerals and vitamins – to correct any deficiencies your pasture or hay may have.

Once the Season Begins

  • Determine your ideal foaling date.
    • When the weather is warmer, and the grass is abundant, ie Spring.
    • 11-month gestation – i.e. breed in October for September foal.
  • Wait for the best chance of conception
    • Wait until your mare is having an obvious and regular cycle.
    • The mare is seasonally polyoestrus, this means that over winter she stops cycling (anoestrus) and has transition periods in Autumn and Spring.
    • Late spring/summer – days are longest – mares are cycling regularly and are most fertile.
  • Tricks for earlier cycling
    • Stabling under lights from July 1st and gradually increasing the light exposure to 16 hours a day. Artificial light must be added in the pm and there must be a period of darkness.
    • Keeping her warm (rugged), in good condition and in a green grass paddock will also help.
  • Watch for signs of heat (estrus)
    • Signs of estrus include holding the tail up, frequent short urination, and vulval ‘winking’.
    • Pattern of 2-5 days of estrus followed by 16-18 with no signs.
    • Record when you see these behavioral changes.
    • As the days get longer the cycle becomes more obvious, regular and shorter in duration.
  • When she is ready for breeding
    • Veterinarian to scan her reproductive tract, they can then manipulate her cycle and/or ensure she is bred at the optimum time for the best chance of conception.
    • The vet can also help your mare cycle earlier with the use of hormones, synchronize her cycle around when is convenient to travel her, and influence her ovulation date to increase her chance of conception.

After your mare has bred

  • Post breeding ultrasound
    • To check she had a good ovulation and does not have any fluid.
    • Normal to have a self-limiting endometritis up to 48 hours post breeding – If this endometritis persists it can result in reduced fertility and conception rates.
    • Treatment includes uterine flushing, intrauterine antibiotics and oxytocin starting the day after breeding.
  • Pregnancy Diagnosis
    • 14 days post-ovulation – to confirm the mare is pregnant and to check for twins.
    • If the mare is not pregnant, she can then be set up for another breeding.
    • If twins are found, they can be easily dealt with at this time.
    • If the ovulation date is not known – best checked 16-18 days after breeding.
    • 28 and 45 day checks are recommended while there is still time to re-breed.
  • Caslick surgery
    • Involves the suturing shut of the upper portion of the vulva to prevent contamination.
    • If she has a conformational problem, or pools urine this will help to prevent uterine infections.
    • Performed with local anesthesia in an appropriate crush and may require sedation.
    • Will need to be opened 2 weeks from foaling or the foal will find another way out.
  • Nutrition
    • A pregnant mare’s calorie requirements are 28% higher, protein is 42% higher and calcium and phosphorus requirements are up to 80% higher.
    • Nutritional needs highest in the third trimester when 80% of the foal’s growth occurs.
    • Once the foal is born and she is lactating her requirements will continue to increase.
    • Most will meet this increased requirement by eating quality grass and hay with a vitamin/ mineral supplement. Some will require additional pelleted feeds and grain.
  • Routine health care
    • Keep the mare up to date with routine worming, dental treatments and vaccinations.
    • Tetanus booster 2-4 weeks prior to foaling – mare/foal covered until foal can receive its first vaccination.
    • Herpes vaccination to reduce the risk of Herpes abortion. Primary course of two vaccinations 4 weeks apart then given at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.

Complications

  • Abortion
  • Pre-pubic tendon rupture
    • Characterized by ventral edema, dropped abdomen, raised tail head and often a saw-horse stance.
    • The mare will require assistance during delivery and often requires euthanasia following foaling.
  • Placentitis
    • Can cause abortion and birth of a premature and/or compromised foal.
    • Early filling of the udder before 300 days, and vulval discharge are the main symptoms.
    • Your veterinarian will be able to examine her and check the placental thickness to identify placentitis.
    • Treatment includes antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, and synthetic hormones may help.
  • Laminitis
    • Can occur in late pregnancy due to the increased weight and underlying equine metabolic syndrome.
  • Mild colic episodes
    • Common in late term pregnancy as the foal is changing position and taking up a lot of room.
    • Severe colic can indicate a more serious complication and requires urgent veterinary attention.
    • Uterine torsion can cause colic symptoms and is an emergency.