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• Reproduction in Older Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 16, 2012

  Reproductive potential begins to decline in mares that are more than 15 years old. Older mares have a higher incidence of pregnancy loss, possibly due to defective oocytes, changes in the intrauterine environment, or other factors.

• Why Doesn't Your Broodmare Cycle?

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2012

  Mares of breeding age naturally begin to show an active estrous cycle in mid to late spring of each year, but there are many reasons why a mare may fail to cycle normally.

• Post-Foaling Complications in Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 3, 2012

  Delivering a foal goes well for many mares, but problems may occasionally show up shortly after the foal is born.

• Artificial Insemination in Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 19, 2012

  Artificial insemination (AI) is an advantageous option for many breeders because it eliminates transporting a horse for breeding and also allows a stallion to impregnate a much larger number of mares than would be possible by live cover.

• Collecting Colostrum from a Mare

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 17, 2012

  Foals that miss out on colostrum are at risk of infection from a host of environmental microbes, so getting this vital fluid into a neonate is extremely important.

• When Mares Reject Their Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 15, 2011

  Though it occurs infrequently, rejection of a foal by its dam can cause serious health problems for the newborn if not dealt with immediately.

• Feeding Broodmares in Late Pregnancy

  By Dr. Peter Huntington · December 13, 2011

  After seven months of gestation, the equine fetus begins to develop rapidly, and the mare's nutrient requirements become significantly greater during this time.

• Get Broodmares Ready Now for Healthy Spring Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 21, 2011

  Your pregnant mare’s foaling date may still be months away, but there are a few things to think about right now to assure a healthy mare and foal next spring.

• Cribbing in Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 18, 2011

  In foals, cribbing is often related to feeding schedule and composition of meals.

• Mare Breeding Soundness Examination: Gathering a History

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 2011

  Consider the health, performance, and reproductive history of potential broodmares.

• Genetic Cause of Foal Deformities Investigated

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 27, 2011

  Preliminary results from a study on flexural limb deformity and contracted foal syndrome showed that the deformities have a genetic component that is complex and poorly understood.

• Check Mares with Too Many Heat Cycles

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 28, 2011

  Mares that continue to come into heat or have more frequent heat periods may be suffering from ovarian tumors, infection, or other disease conditions.

• Frequent Breeding of Stallions Does Not Affect Live Foal Rate

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 23, 2011

  Researchers set out to establish factors, including book size, that affect live foal rates of Thoroughbred stallions in Kentucky.

• From Racing to Breeding: Not a Problem for Most Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 22, 2011

  In order to investigate the effect of race training and performance on future breeding success, researchers examined the records of over 60,000 harness horses, both mares and stallions, that raced and subsequently were retired to breeding careers.

• Weather Affects Growth Rate of Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 14, 2011

  Can temperature and rainfall affect growth rate of foals? According to researchers in Kentucky, the answer is yes.

• Mastitis in Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · August 2, 2011

  Though uncommon, when mastitis occurs in mares, it is a painful condition that should be treated quickly.

• Dourine in Horses

  By Dr. Bryan Waldridge · July 29, 2011

  All horses imported into the United States are tested for dourine, a venereal disease, except if imported from Iceland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Managing Fertility in Feral Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · July 21, 2011

  The Bureau of Land Management will begin testing a longer-lasting contraceptive product on 100 mustang mares.

• Placentitis Causes Late Fetal Loss in Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · June 29, 2011

  Placentitis caused by bacterial or fungal infection of the placenta is a major cause of fetal loss in late-pregnant mares.

• Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancy in Mares

  By Dr. Bryan Waldridge · June 27, 2011

  The most important decision that the veterinarian must make when dealing with high-risk pregnancy in maresis when to intervene.

• Postpartum Hemorrhage in Mares

  By Dr. Bryan Waldridge · June 23, 2011

  Bleeding into the broad ligament of the uterus or directly into the abdominal cavity is a common and often fatal postpartum emergency in broodmare practice.

• Cutting-Edge Reproductive Techniques for Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 5, 2011

  Techniques continue to be developed to aid equine reproduction.

• Arabian Horse Mutation Linked to Cerebellar Abiotrophy

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · April 21, 2011

  A genetic mutation is the cause of cerebellar abiotrophy, an untreatable neurologic disorder that mainly affects horses of Arabian breeding.

• Leptospiral Abortions in Kentucky Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · April 21, 2011

  Leptospirosis is spread from wild animals to horses when bacteria enter through the skin or membranes of the eye or mouth.

• Returning Broodmares to Riding

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · April 12, 2011

  How quickly can a mare return to riding and training after she has a foal?

• Colic in Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 16, 2011

  Colic, a general term that describes abdominal discomfort, can affect horses of all ages, even the very young.

• Equine Proliferative Enteropathy

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 15, 2011

  Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is a gastrointestinal disease that results in thickened intestine and slower growth for weanling horses.

• Scours Scald in Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 14, 2011

  Though cases of foal heat diarrhea vary in severity, one unfortunate but common side effect of scours is the loss of hair on both sides of the tail as well as a possible trail of hair loss down the hind limbs.

• Clue to Foal Sex Determination

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 10, 2011

  Want a colt instead of a filly from your mare's next pregnancy?

• Foal Diarrhea and Prebiotics

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 24, 2011

  It is thought that diarrhea, common in young foals, might be a result of an imbalance of helpful and harmful microbes.

• Sick Foals: Odds Are in Their Favor

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 24, 2011

  Sick foals that end up in neonatal intensive care units usually have a pretty good chance of surviving.

• Pregnancy Loss Isn’t Always Easy to Explain

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 17, 2011

  For all mares bred in a season, only about 80% will give birth to a live foal at term.

• Proper Care of Broodmare Hooves

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 9, 2011

  It's true that older broodmares don't need to look as slick and polished as sales prospects, but there's one aspect of their care that is vitally important to their comfort: proper hoof maintenance.

• Cryptosporidium May Be Related To Foal Heat Diarrhea

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 28, 2011

  A study conducted in Italy looked at the possible relationship between Cryptosporidium parvum and foal heat diarrhea.

• “Dummy” Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 19, 2011

  Complications just before, during, or after birth can result in a decreased oxygen supply to the foal's brain.

• Medication Fights Fescue Toxicosis

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 13, 2011

  Pregnant mares grazing fescue pastures or eating hay containing fescue are at risk for fescue toxicosis.

• Early Pregnancy Losses in Australia

  By 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.

• Stallion Supplements: Do They Work?

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 10, 2011

  Among the various supplements given to stallions in hopes of improving semen quality, some are more effective than others.

• Endometritis, a Common Cause of Infertility

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 7, 2011

  Endometritis, the inflammation of the lining of a mare's uterus, affects up to 15% of broodmares and is a major cause of infertility

• Watch for Signs of Problems in Newborn Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 22, 2010

  Newborn foals may be affected by a number of problems, some of which have similar signs.

• Closing In on Ovulation

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 7, 2010

  A new technique could be used to determine imminent ovulation without having mares palpated by a veterinarian.

• Nutritional Requirements of Broodmares Ramped Up

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2010

  Without a doubt, the nutritional status of mares is a critical component in foal health from the moment of conception and continues through weaning.

• Fescue Facts

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2010

  Problems associated with fescue are recognized among nutritionists and breeders alike.

• Chances of Twins in Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 17, 2010

  Double conception in horses is not unusual, although birth of live, healthy twin foals does not happen with any regularity. One or both embryos are commonly absorbed by the mare early in pregnancy.

• Placentitis in Broodmares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2010

  Placentitis (inflammation of the placenta) may be caused by bacterial or fungal infection of the uterus, most often by organisms entering through the reproductive tract.

• Artificial Insemination: Semen Extender Shows Promise

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2010

  Stallion semen collected for artificial insemination can be chilled to maintain quality for about 24 to 48 hours.

• Cloned Foals: Some May Need Expert Neonatal Care

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 3, 2010

  When health records from 14 cloned foals produced at Texas A & M University between 2004 and 2008 were examined, it was noted that 6 of the 14 were normal at birth while 8 showed problems such as angular forelimb deformities, neonatal maladjustment syndrome ("dummy foals"), and enlarged umbilical remnants.

• Flexion Test is a Tool, Not a Guarantee

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 3, 2010

  Lameness and pre-purchase exams commonly include a flexion test of the forelegs.

• Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses Studied

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 20, 2008

  Researchers looked for an association, if any, between the age of the dam and the foal's risk of fracture later in life, and also any correlation between birth order (dam's first foal or a later foal) and risk of fracture.

• Tips for Maintaining the Older Broodmare

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 26, 2007

  An aged broodmare sometimes requires an extra dash of diligence by caretakers and health-care professionals. Despite some misguided lore, it is possible for those grizzled, sunken backed doyennes of the broodmare band to be fleshy and in fine fettle during all phases of production.

• Equine Health and Management Trends

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 21, 2007

  The USDA recently released information collected by an equine demographics, health, and management survey.

• Feeding Young Horses in the Bluegrass

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 15, 2006

  A number of Thoroughbred mares and their foals, all born in central Kentucky, were studied to assess the influence of month of birth, season, and gender on body weight, condition score, and daily weight gain. Foals grow rapidly following birth, often quadrupling their body weight by five months of age.

• Tips for Feeding Weanling Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 2005

  Weaning is synonymous with stress. The process produces anxiety among foals and mares, not to mention their caretakers. To ease the transition all foals must face-from maternal coddling to self-sufficiency among peers-owners can do a little homework before the day of parting arrives.

• Improving on the Best: Vessels Stallion Farm

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 25, 2005

  Improving the land, acquiring premier breeding stock, building an experienced and capable staff, and following expert nutritional advice have moved Vessels Stallion Farm to its position at the top of the equine industry.

• Cloning Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 20, 2005

  The processes and techniques involved in producing a cloned animal are time-consuming, expensive, and subject to a number of problems. At this stage of research, producing a live foal is not a guaranteed outcome.

• Oxygen Deprivation in Newborn Foals

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 26, 2004

  Some foals don't seem to recognize the mare and are unable to nurse. They may wander around the stall, getting stuck in a corner and being unable to find their way out. Others slip into frequent periods of deep sleep, have seizures, or make strange "barking" vocalizations.

• Foal Heat Diarrhea Studied

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 25, 2004

  Mares come into estrus about seven to 14 days after giving birth. This period coincides with the occurrence of diarrhea in about 80% of foals, hence the name "foal heat diarrhea." There is no certain explanation as to why foals get diarrhea at this time, and various possible causes-influence of hormonal changes in mare's milk, foal begins to eat mare's manure, bacterial infection, parasite infestation-have been advanced.

• Nutritional Management of the Mare and Foal

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2004

  Lactating mares use energy, calcium, and phosphorus at a greatly increased rate.

• West Nile Virus & Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 6, 2003

  West Nile virus was first reported in the northeast United States in 1999. Since then, cases have been reported in almost every state and several Canadian provinces. Spread by mosquitoes, the virus can infect humans, horses, donkeys, mules, birds, and a host of other animals ranging from bears to alligators. Many infected horses are asymptomatic or show only slight fever or listlessness for a few days.

• Shout: Foals Weigh In

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 29, 2003

  Higgins, on the other hand, weighed a walloping 243 pounds at 28 days of age. Colts of his age born in April usually hit the 205-pound mark. This fact makes Higgins about 18% heavier than others his age. Higgins is not obese, in fact few foals are, but he possesses height and scope, likely a reflection of his tall, lanky mother.

• Shout: Weaning Day for a Young Colt

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 23, 2003

  When the realization hit that his dam was nowhere to be found, Shout became uneasy and lapped the field at a full tilt gallop. Higgins did little to ease Shout's anxiety, merely watching the seemingly half-crazed Shout careen around the field. Skean seemed less fazed by the separation; she may have even been relieved to bid farewell to her youngster.

• Shout: Welcoming an Overdue Foal

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 23, 2003

  Skean, completely exhausted, lay motionless on the floor, breathing deeply. Milk once again flowed from her udder. Meanwhile, the veterinarians resuscitated the foal and gave him a thorough once-over, declaring him healthy except for a few fractured ribs. Skean gently rolled onto her chest, folded her legs underneath her, and offered the softest, most endearing nicker any mare could possibly bestow.

• Optimal Body Condition Scores for Breeding Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 4, 2003

  Evaluating the body condition of pregnant mares may become more difficult during late gestation, as the combined weight of the fetus and amniotic fluid may pull the skin tightly over the vertebral column and ribcage. Therefore, it's best to place emphasis on other key areas: along the withers, behind the shoulder, and around the tailhead.

• Managing Broodmares on Fescue Hay or Pasture

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 2002

  For mares with known or suspected fescue exposure, managers should be sure the foaling is attended and a veterinarian is available. This is recommended even if mares have been treated with domperidone or fluphenazine. The attendant may need to cut the thickened placenta or help the mare expel a very large foal that is several weeks overdue.

• Shuttle Stallions Do Double Duty

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 4, 2002

  Temperament is certainly a factor in deciding which stallions make good candidates for shuttling, but it is only one small piece of the decision-making process. Bloodlines are a larger factor.

• MRLS Still a Conundrum One Year after Outbreak

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 2, 2002

  A constellation of the finest scientists-veterinarians, agronomists, toxicologists, arborists, nutritionists, entomologists, meteorologists, and epidemiologists from all over the world-remain baffled a year after the onset of the crippling economic and emotional war waged in central Kentucky and its surrounding lands, the mecca of Thoroughbred breeding.

• Foaling Management Tips

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 23, 2000

  The ideal environment for a mare that is about to foal is a clean grass paddock where the mare can be observed with as little disruption as possible, but inclement weather or insufficient lighting can make this impractical.

• Love and Devotion Help Special Filly Beat the Odds

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 1999

  To anyone who has ever loved a horse, every healthy foal is a miracle. It is a joy and a wonder to watch them stand on their wobbly legs, take their first tentative steps, and find their first meal. While the vast majority of foals born every year find their way into the world in the usual fashion, occasionally a foal will arrive that provides a new definition for the word miracle.

• Feeding and Care of the Orphan Foal

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 1999

  Foals orphaned at a very early age should either be placed on a foster "nurse" mare or receive an artificial milk substitute. In either case, it is imperative that the newborn receives adequate quantities of colostrum. Obviously, if the mare dies at birth, the foal must be given colostrum from another mare.