AvoidingThe Barren Blues By Laura McCormick, with Carolin von Rosenberg, DVM
If you have ever bred a mare, you are no doubt familiar with the “14-day check” and the an- ticipation leading up to that day. Your invest- ment of time, energy and, of course, money, after possibly breeding your mare two or three times, is a reminder that trying to con- trol nature is a tricky business. If your mare didn’t take, naturally you want to know what happened. Why did the process not work?
T
here are many things to take into account when addressing a barren mare, which include the mare’s reproductive and medical history, her physical con-
dition, her reproductive conformation and stallion selection. Here Carolin von Rosenberg, DVM, of Buena Vista Farm, an equine reproduction center in Ocala, Florida, offers mare owners advice and guidance on the subject. For most mares, a carefully managed plan of care and treatment can result in a healthy, productive mare and ultimately a happy foal.
DEFINING THE CONDITION In simple terms, when a mare has been bred in the past breeding season, but did not get in foal she is considered “barren.” If she did not carry a foal to term, and lost the foal, she is considered “aborted” and “barren.” This is different than an “open” mare, which merely means the mare has not been bred in the last year. Barren and aborted are not the same as “infertile” which means she is unable to conceive.
DUE DILIGENCE IN THE OFF-SEASON The best way to avoid the “barren blues” during breeding season is to have your vet do a breeding soundness exam in the off-season. This allows any problems that may arise to be resolved well before the next breeding season, since some conditions need a lot of time to be treated. A good reproductive veterinarian should begin by tak-
ing a thorough history of the mare. How many foals has she previously had? Does she cycle normally? Does she develop normal follicles and does she ovulate as expected? Does she tease when she’s in heat? What problems were identified in the past and how were they dealt with? What type of semen was she exposed to? Has she been bred to more than one stallion? These are just some of the questions that need to be explored. Were there any complications during, or after,
foaling? Has she been barren before? How old is the mare? Age can sometimes be a determining factor in pregnancy because older mares may have conformational problems, cysts or adhesions from previous foalings or general repro- ductive limitations. What about her medical history? Another important factor is the semen that was used for breeding her. Was it fresh/cooled or frozen or was she live covered? Some mares respond differently to fresh and frozen semen.
PHYSICAL CONDITION The physical condition of your mare plays a bigger role than we may realize. First, determine if your mare is at a healthy weight. Mares that are too fat may not be able to get in foal because they are not moving around as much as they should be. By not being active, they are less likely to properly clean themselves out, allowing bacteria to reside in the uterus and preventing a healthy embryo from develop- ing. On the other hand, if your mare is too thin, she will not be able to nourish the embryo properly and her body will reject a pregnancy. Definitely check her mouth. Broodmares are often neglected when it comes to teeth care, but her ability to masticate without pain can make all the difference between a poor keeper and mare that blooms. The ideal situation is for a mare to be on an increasing plane of nutri- tion. Breeding your mare when she is slightly below the perfect weight, as you are increasing the mare’s grain and forage intake, provides the best scenario for an otherwise healthy mare to get in foal. If a mare has a chronic illness, or has been sick in the re-
cent past, it may prevent her from getting in foal. Does she have any musculoskeletal issues or physical conditions that are causing pain or general inflammation? Inflammation and lameness are both determining factors in a mare’s physical condition when it comes to a successful breeding. On the farm, it is important for a mare to be able to move around regularly to support continuous circulation and regular blood supply to keep her uterus healthy and clean. Conditions such as laminitis, other hoof problems, hip problems or other
Warmbloods Today 69
illustration by Amy Stuverude.
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