Early Pregnancy Losses in AustraliaBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 11, 2011
Australian horse owners whose mares have suffered early-term abortions suspect the problem has been caused by caterpillars seen in the Victoria region. Thus far, animal health managers for the Department of Primary Industries have neither confirmed nor denied that the caterpillars are present or are linked to reproductive problems. Foal loss in mares can be caused by a number of factors including viral or bacterial infections. Eastern tent caterpillars were conclusively tied to mare reproductive loss syndrome, a phenomenon that caused the loss of about 30% of the expected 2002 foal crop in central Kentucky. MRLS financial impact was estimated at between $333 and $500 million.
