Reproductive services include evaluation of mares and stallions prior to breeding, hospitalisation of mares for artificial insemination (AI) (using chilled or frozen semen),infertility treatment, and caesarean section.
See Information about AI.

INTRODUCTION TO BREEDING

CARE OF THE BROODMARE FOLLOWING COVERING OR INSEMINATION

INTRODUCTION TO BREEDING

There are three important questions that anyone considering breeding from a particular mare should ask.

• Is she suitable for breeding? Traits such as conformation and temperament are highly heritable and should be important considerations when selecting the mare and stallion. Mares should be selected for quality of type or performance and not simply because they are no longer suitable for any other purpose. Those with serious conformational defects should not be bred from as soundness is very important
• Are suitable facilities available? Consideration must also be given to the facilities required. You will need a foaling box and suitably fenced, good quality pasture. Ideally the field should be shared with another mare and foal.
• Can I afford it? Stud fees, livery charges and routine and unexpected veterinary bills can add up to a substantial sum and there is no guarantee that a healthy foal will be produced or if that foal will mature into a quality horse.

General information

Most mares have a 21 day oestrous cycle. This is divided into:
• Oestrus (average 5 days)
• Dioestrus (14 – 16 days)

The cycles begin at puberty (approximately 18 months) and continue throughout the mare’s life.

Oestrus
The mare is receptive to the stallion and is said to be ‘in season’. Typical signs of oestrus include:

• Adopting a urinating stance with the tail raised and passing small squirts of urine
• Opening and closing the vulval lips. This is known as ‘winking’

During this time one or more follicles on the ovaries increase in size and rupture to release an egg (ovulation). The mare normally ovulates approximately 24 hours before the end of oestrus. The exact timing of ovulation can only be determined by performing repeated ultrasound scans of the ovaries. The maturation of the follicle can be monitored by the vet by successive rectal and ultrasound examinations.

Dioestrus
The mare is no longer receptive and may behave aggressively towards the stallion. She is likely to put her ears back, swish her tail and may squeal or lash out.

Control of the oestrous cycle
The mare has a seasonal breeding period which is influenced by factors such as daylight length, temperature and nutrition. In cold winter months, most mares stop having oestrous cycles and their ovaries become small and inactive. In February and March when they begin cycling, some mares have very long periods of oestrous behaviour but fail to ovulate. There is considerable individual variation between mares.

The oestrous cycle is under hormonal control. When problems arise, oestrus or ovulation can sometimes be induced with hormone treatments.

Gestation Length
The gestation (pregnancy) length is 11 months (340 days), but considerable variation occurs with a range of 320 – 360 days, and sometimes even longer

Stallion selection
The choice of stallion should be made after consideration of the following factors:

• Conformation
• Soundness and freedom from hereditary conditions
• Performance records – achievements during his working career
• Temperament – ideally calm and kind
• Size
• Fertility record
• Cost and terms of the stud fee
• Distance
• Availability of artificial insemination and success thereof

It is worth travelling to view the selected stallion. If at all possible, ask to see some of his offspring, Before arranging to send the mare to be covered, find out from the stud whether they require clitoral and/or endometrial swabs to be taken before or after the mare arrives.

Veterinary care of the brood mare
The vet is usually consulted at several stages of the breeding programme eg:

• Gynaecological examination prior to covering
• Pregnancy diagnosis
• Pre-foaling vaccination
• Post-foaling checks

Pre-breeding checks
The purpose of the examination is to check for any problems that could affect the mare’s ability to conceive or carry the foal to full term. Ideally the checks should be made early in the season so any problems can be detected and treated.

History
The vet will want to know her:

• Name
• Age
• Breed
• Previous breeding history
• Health problems including lameness
• Vaccination status
• Body condition

Gynaecological examination
This includes:

• Inspection of the vulva, vagina and cervix
• Rectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination of the uterus and ovaries. Ultrasonographic examination can reveal the presence of abnormal amounts of fluid within the uterus and endometrial cysts, which can be mistaken for an embryo if not identified pre-breeding.
• Taking swabs from the clitoral fossa and sinuses
• Taking a swab from the uterus for bacterial culture and examination of the cells under the microscope

Preparation
If purpose-built stocks are not available the mare should be examined in a stable. She must be adequately restrained by a competent handler and it is helpful if her tail is bandaged. The vet will require:

• A bucket of clean, warm water
• An assistant to hold the tail out of the way
• A power supply for the scanner

On occasions it is necessary to apply a twitch or sedate the mare for the examination.

Assessment of the vulva
The vulva is checked for any signs of a discharge. The vulval lips should be vertical and meet together in the midline, forming a firm seal. If the vulva slopes forwards, the seal is easily broken and air may be sucked into the vagina as the mare moves. Aspiration of air and contamination by faeces can lead to inflammation of the vagina, cervix and the lining of the uterus, with resultant infertility.

If the vulval conformation is poor, a Caslick’s operation may be carried out. This involves suturing the upper part of the vulval lips together under local anaesthetic. This must be opened before the mare foals or she will tear during foaling. This should be done at the start of second stage labour or it may be done by the vet a few days prior to foaling.

Swabs and smears
Swabs are taken to check for inflammation or infection of the reproductive tract. An infected (dirty) mare will not conceive, so covering her is a waste of time and money. More importantly, a mare with venereal disease will infect the stallion and any mares he subsequently covers. Maiden mares are included in this regime. There are two types of swab:

Clitoral swab
A clitoral swab is taken before or at the start of the breeding season. It can be taken at any stage of the oestrous cycle. A narrow-tipped swab is introduced into the clitoral sinuses and clitoral fossa. It is then cultured for bacteria that produce venereal disease. These include Tayorella equigenitalis, the organism responsible for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The CEM culture takes 7 days.

Endometrial swab and smear
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. An endometrial swab and smear can only be taken when the mare is in season and the cervix is relaxed. This is usually done early in oestrus so the mare can be covered in the same oestrus if the results are satisfactory. Using a disposable cardboard speculum, a sterile swab is passed through the cervix into the uterus. Following withdrawal it is cultured for 48 hours to see if any bacteria grow. A second swab is then inserted into the uterus and gently rubbed against the endometrium before being withdrawn and rolled onto a microscope slide. The slide is examined for the presence of endometrial cells and neutrophils (pus cells). The presence of increased numbers of neutrophils and a positive culture of bacteria is indicative of inflammation of the endometrium, known as endometritis.

Treatment of endometritis
When the laboratory results show the mare is suffering from endometritis, she is likely to be treated with infusions of sterile saline and antibiotics into the uterus for a period of 3-5 days.

A second swab and smear must be taken early in the following oestrus. If the treatment has been successful and there is no evidence of endometritis, the mare can be covered

Endometrial biopsy
If the mare fails to conceive, or the swabs and smears reveal persistent or recurrent infection or inflammation, an endometrial biopsy may be taken. This is done during dioestrus.

Biopsy forceps are passed through the cervix and a small piece of endometrium is removed and sent to a laboratory for histology (examination of the tissue under the microscope). This reveals the extent of any inflammatory or degenerative changes in the endometrium. Treatment can then be recommended and a prognosis for successful breeding given. A second biopsy is taken approximately one month later to assess the results of treatment

Endometrial endoscopy
Examination of the endometrium with an endoscope can provide the vet with valuable information, such as the presence of cysts and damage sustained during previous pregnancies. The normal endometrium is smooth and pink in appearance. An inflamed endometrium may appear very haemorrhagic and have adhesions which obstruct the passage of the endoscope.

The control and treatment of venereal disease
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) caused by Tayorella equigenitalis is a notifiable disease in the UK. Any occurrence must be reported to the Divisional Veterinary Manager of DEFRA.

Clinical signs
Most stallions carrying the disease show no outward signs. Mares may have a grey, mucoid vulval discharge or they can also be symptomless carriers of the disease.

Transmission
The disease is transmitted:

• During mating including artificial insemination
• During teasing
• On hands or equipment if hygiene standards are poor

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is confirmed if the organism is grown on swabs from:

• The clitoral fossa and sinuses, the endometrium or vaginal discharge of mares
• The urethra, urethral fossa, penile sheath and pre-ejaculatory fluid from stallions

The swabs must be sent to an approved laboratory.

Treatment
Stallions are treated by thorough cleaning of the penis with an approved antiseptic solution and application of an antibiotic ointment for 5-7 days following removal of all accumulated smegma.

Mares with endometritis are treated with intrauterine infusions of antibiotic and thorough cleaning of the clitoral region and topical antibiotic treatment. With stubborn infections that are difficult to clear, surgical removal of the clitoris may be performed.

Freedom from infection in mares is confirmed by three negative clitoral swabs taken at intervals of at least seven days and three negative endometrial swabs taken during successive oestrous periods.

Stallions require three sets of negative swabs taken at intervals of at least seven days before they can be confirmed free of infection. In addition, the first three mares mated or inseminated by the stallion should have clitoral swabs taken three times at intervals of at least seven days, starting two days after mating or insemination. These must be negative.

Control
If a case is confirmed, there is a Code of Practice published by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) that must be strictly adhered to www.hblb.org.uk . This includes:

• Stopping all breeding activity immediately
• Isolation and swabbing of infected horses
• Swabbing of at risk contacts
• Notification of the relevant breeder’s association
• Notification of owners of mares who have left the premises, are booked to the stallion or have been inseminated with semen
• Testing of stored semen
• Foaling of pregnant mares that have been exposed to the infection in isolation. The placenta must be burned and both filly and colt foals swabbed

Breeding should not be resumed until the premises are confirmed as free from the disease

Prevention
The disease can be prevented by strict adherence to the recommendations for swabbing in the HBLB Code of Practice. The swabs should be taken from mares and stallions after 1st January of the year in which breeding activity is planned. Additional swabs are taken from stallions in the middle of the breeding season.

Blood test for Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
A blood test should also be taken to test the mare for EVA prior to breeding and the stallion should also be confirmed clear before a mare visits him.


Both the CEM swabs and EVA bloods take some times for the results to be confirmed, so it adviseable to have them done at least 10 days before the mare is due to go to stud.


CARE OF THE BROODMARE FOLLOWING COVERING OR INSEMINATION

Pregnancy diagnosis in the mare
There are a number of procedures used to confirm that a mare is in foal

Rectal palpation
This can be done at any stage from day 14-15 after ovulation (16 – 17 after covering) onwards. The vet assesses the tone, size and position of the uterus which change as the pregnancy advances. The foal may be felt from around mid-pregnancy. The vet may inspect the cervix which is usually whiter and much more tightly closed that the cervix of a non-pregnant mare. The rectal findings during early pregnancy are not always conclusive and cannot eliminate the possibility of twin conceptuses.

Ultrasound scanning
This is the most commonly used method for pregnancy diagnosis and the assessment of early foetal growth. It is performed from day 14-15 after ovulation (16 – 17 post covering) onwards. It is the most reliable method of detecting unwanted twin pregnancies. To be rule out twins it is sensible to scan the mare at least twice, once as above and the second time approximately 28-30 days post ovulation

The procedure
To scan a mare during early pregnancy, an internal examination of the mare is required. To ensure this is done safely for both vet and mare, it is important that the mare is properly restrained; stocks are ideal. Electricity is required to power the scanner plus sufficient area out of sunlight to clearly view the scanner screen, To perform the scan the ultrasound probe is introduced by the vet into the mare’s rectum and advanced until it lies over the uterus. It is moved from side to side, passing over the uterine horns and the ovaries. An image is seen on the screen. If the mare is pregnant, the embryonic vesicle appears as a distinct black sphere on the screen.

When mares are examined as early as day 14 – 15 after ovulation, they are checked again a few days later. The embryo itself can be seen as a white speck within the circular black area between days 18-21 after ovulation. Even at this early stage, the pulsation of the heart is often visible. By day 26, the embryo is clearly visible as it lifts away from the wall of the vesicle and protrudes into the lumen

A third examination is ideally carried out around day 28 and before day 35 to ensure that the mare is still pregnant and to make certain that a twin has not been missed. The optimum time for determining the gender of a foal in utero is between 55-65 days.

Blood tests- Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG)
From days 45-90, a blood sample may be taken and tested for the presence of eCG. This is produced by structures called endometrial cups which form when foetal cells invade the endometrium. The test is around 90% accurate. Occasionally a mare produces a false negative result, but inaccuracies more commonly involve false positives. This is because eCG continues to be produced if the foetus dies.
Oestrone sulphate
Oestrone sulphate is produced by the foetus and can be detected in the serum of pregnant mares from day 120. The levels fall in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Urine tests
Oestrogens produced by the placenta and the foetus are present in the mare’s urine from 150 days to full term, but the current testing kits available are not always deemed reliable

Management of the in-foal mare
Once the pregnant mare is back at home, she will still require:
• Daily inspection
• Regular hoof care
• Appropriate feeding
• Regular worming
• Dental care
• Vaccination. An influenza and tetanus booster 3-6 weeks before foaling gives the foal maximum protection. If the mare is to be vaccinated against Equine Herpes virus, this should be done in the 5th, 7th and 9th months of pregnancy. Vaccination of mares to protect their foals from diarrhoea caused by Equine Rotavirus is carried out in the 8th, 9th and 10th months of pregnancy
• Exercise. This depends on many factors such as the size, age, condition and fitness of the mare and the weight of the rider. Strenuous exercise should be discontinued from the 6th month of gestation. The brood mare should be turned out each day.

Pregnancy failure
Failure to conceive and early embryonic loss
This can be due to:
• Genetic factors eg chromosomal abnormalities. Defects may occur if mating and fertilization does not take place at the optimum time and either the sperm or the egg are aged
• Environmental factors. Malnutrition of the mare and over or underfeeding in the period after mating can adversely affect her fertility. Any illness resulting in a high temperature or prolonged colic can cause embryonic death
• Uterine factors. Any problem with the previous pregnancy such as a difficult birth or retained placenta can adversely affect the uterine environment in a subsequent pregnancy. Pregnancies established at the foal heat have a reduced viability. The presence of endometrial cysts can sometimes affect embryonic development as can the presence of fluid retained in the uterus after mating. All mares experience a transient uterine inflammation after mating but this usually resolves within 48 hours. In older mares the inflammation may last for a longer time, and the embryo cannot survive under these conditions
• Twin pregnancies

Early embryonic loss may be predicted from the appearance on the ultrasound scan. The signs include:
• An embryonic vesicle that is smaller than expected for its age
• A vesicle with no embryo visible after the time when it should be seen
• An embryo that is smaller than expected for its dates

Twinning
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. Thoroughbred mares are reported to have a 15 – 25 % occurrence of double ovulations with a 15% incidence of twins.

Twinning is a serious source of loss to the breeding industry. Various reports suggest that between 53 and 73% of affected mares will abort and of all the mares with twin pregnancies, only 16-25% of mares will give birth to single or twin foals. 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.

Diagnosis
• In early pregnancy twinning is diagnosed by routine ultrasound examination per rectum
• In late pregnancy, the presence of twins can sometimes be detected by scanning through the abdominal wall

Subsequent action
Following the diagnosis of a twin pregnancy, there are 3 possible courses of action:
1) Do nothing in the hope that one embryo will die naturally. The mare is checked at day 35 and if two foetuses are still present, she is injected with prostaglandins to abort the pregnancy
2) Try to eliminate one of the foetuses manually. If this is done before the embryos attach to the uterus (i.e. before about 16 days post ovulation), the success rate can be up to 90%. The smallest vesicle is gently manipulated until it reaches the tip of one uterine horn and compressed until it is felt to ‘pop’. If the foetuses are located in the same horn and have already become fixed to the endometrium, squeezing one is more likely to result in the death of both of them. If the twins are discovered after 40 days of gestation, very experienced stud vets may attempt to eliminate one of them by guiding a sterile needle through the wall of the vagina and into the foetal sac under ultrasound guidance.
3) Abort the pregnancy and start again. This is only possible up to 35 days when the endometrial cups develop. After 35 days, the pregnancy can be aborted but the mare is unlikely to return to fertile oestrus within the same breeding season.

Abortion
Undetected twin pregnancies often end in abortion. If this occurs late in pregnancy, there is a possibility of problems during delivery which can lead to loss of the mare. Twins that are born alive are usually underweight and need a great deal of care. It is common for one or both of them to die within a few days of birth. Those that survive are less likely to achieve a high level of performance than single foals.

Abortion
The incidence of abortion in the last third of pregnancy is relatively low. However, even with the best of care, some mares will not carry their foals to term.

Possible causes of abortion
These include:
• A twisted or abnormally long umbilical cord which restricts the circulation between the foetus and placenta. The average cord length is 70cm but some are up to 110cm. It is thought that a longer cord is more likely to become tangled around the foetal limbs or compressed
• Infection – bacterial, fungal or viral (EHV-1, EVA)
• Twins – the placenta is rarely able to nourish two foals to full term
• Maternal stress eg
o Malnutrition
o Pain
o Colic
o Endotoxaemia eg from serious types of colic
o A high temperature
o Emotional disturbance from weaning or management changes
o Transport
o General anaesthesia
o Surgery
• Developmental abnormalities in the foal or foetal membranes
• Uterine torsion

Prompt veterinary attention is necessary in many of these cases as the life of the mare is also at risk

Problems of late pregnancy
Abdominal wall hernias or prepubic tendon ruptures
In late pregnancy, the body wall is occasionally weakened by the combined weight of the foetus plus the membranes and fluids, to the extent that it tears. The muscle itself may tear or the prepubic tendon which attaches them to the front of the pelvis can partially or completely rupture. The signs include an area of oedema (swelling) up to 10-15cm thick, extending along the ventral midline in front of the udder. The mare is often uncomfortable; she may show colicky signs and resent the area being touched. The udder may appear to have moved forwards.

The treatment is restricted exercise and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A well-padded abdominal support bandage may be applied. Some mares are able to foal unassisted, but the abdominal wall is often too weak to push the foal out. An assisted delivery or caesarean section may be required, so the birth should be supervised. It may be possible to repair the defect surgically but this can very difficult. Further pregnancy puts the welfare of the mare at risk.

Mare running milk
If the mare runs milk prior to foaling, an alternate source of colostrum must be available (contact BELL EQUINE for advice).

Preparation for foaling
If the mare is not foaling at home, she should ideally be moved to the foaling premises 4-6 weeks before she is due to foal. This gives her time to settle in and to acquire immunity to disease producing organisms in the new environment. She will produce protective antibodies which are passed onto the foal in the colostrum.

For an average sized mare, the foaling box should measure 4.5m x 4.5m. A clean, deep bed of good quality straw should be provided. Shavings are not thought to be as good as they can block the nostrils of a newborn foal and can cause problems for the recently foaled mare too. A power point and a means of providing a sick foal with warmth should be available.

Mammary development
The udder of the mare begins to enlarge approximately 4 weeks before foaling. Most of the development takes place in the last two weeks when both the udder and the ventral abdomen can become oedematous. Drops of dried colostrum accumulate as waxy deposits on the teats 1-4 days before foaling, which are sometimes called candles.

These signs should not be taken as a reliable indication that foaling is imminent. Some mares show very little change until the last few hours while others run milk for days or weeks before foaling.

Change in mammary secretions
The composition of the mammary secretions changes as the mare approaches parturition (foaling). If there is a particular need to know when foaling is imminent, the secretions can be tested. Milk strip test kits are available for measuring the electrolyte concentrations in the mammary secretions and may provide a guide to the maturity of the foetus and its readiness for birth.

Vulval relaxation
Shortly before birth, the vulva lengthens and appears slightly swollen.

Monitoring the foal
Ultrasound scanning may be performed late in pregnancy to check the foal and the placenta. This can be done through the mare’s abdominal wall and helps check that all is well.

Foaling
As the foaling date approaches, the mare should be kept under close observation, including at night. The observer should be familiar with the course of a normal foaling and call the vet is a problem occurs. At BELL EQUINE we use closed circuit cameras so the mare can be watched without being disturbed. Special foaling alarms are available.

First stage labour
During first stage labour, the mare are experiences discomfort from uterine contractions. The signs include:
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Pawing the ground
• Looking round at the flanks
• Milk may drip or spurt from the teats

The periods of discomfort are separated by periods of calm. Maiden mares may roll or become quite distressed. The length of first stage labour is extremely variable.

Second stage labour
Second stage labour lasts for an average of 20 minutes. It begins when the placenta ruptures and a large quantity of clear, pale yellowish fluid is released. Most mares then lie on their sides and begin to strain. If the mare has a sutured vulva which has not already been opened, it must be cut at this stage.

After 5-10 minutes, a white membrane called the amnion appears between the vulval lips. In a normal foaling the front feet are delivered first, followed by closely by the muzzle. The mare continues to strain vigorously until the foal’s hips have been delivered. She will then stop straining but stay lying down for up to 20 minutes. Do not disturb her, especially for the first few minutes after foaling as blood is still passing from the placenta to the foal. It is quite normal for the foal’s hind limbs to remain inside the vagina and unless the amnion is obstructing the foal’s nostrils, no interference is necessary.

The umbilical cord breaks when the mare stands or the foal struggles to its feet. The foal’s navel should then be dressed with an iodine dressing or antiseptic as recommended by BELL EQUINE.

Third stage labour
The placenta is normally expelled within an hour of the foal being born. The mare may go down again and experience colicky pain as it is delivered. If the placenta has not been delivered within three hours, notify BELL EQUINE.

Induction of parturition
Mares are rarely induced to foal as the normal gestation period varies from 320-360 days. The foal matures in the last 2-3 days of gestation and there is no 100% reliable method of determining if this has occurred. Artificial induction before foetal maturation takes place considerably decreases the foal’s survival chances. The procedure may be considered in:
• Mares with prepubic tendon rupture
• Cases where foaling problems are anticipated
• Cases where the mare or foal is considered to be at risk if the pregnancy continues
Complications of induction include:
• The birth of weak or premature foals
• Premature placental separation. A thick red membrane (the allantochorion) appears at the vulval lips instead of the white amnion
• Foaling difficulties
• Retained placental membranes

Post foaling complication in the mare
There are a number of possible post foaling complications which require immediate veterinary attention. These include:
• Uterine tears – these are more likely to occur if there are foaling problems and the delivery has to be assisted. Occasionally they can occur during an apparently normal delivery due to a foetal foot perforating the uterus
• Prolapse of the uterus – this is uncommon, but more likely to occur if the mare had problems giving birth or if the membranes are retained. It tends to occur within the first few hours after birth
• Rupture of a major vessel. The incidence of severe haemorrhage from rupture of a uterine artery increases with the age of the mare. The mare often sweats and shows signs of extreme pain. The mucous membranes quickly become pale and the condition is often fatal.
• Rupture of the caecum may occur due to the high abdominal pressures experienced during foaling

All of these conditions are emergencies carrying a high risk of mare mortality. Fortunately their incidence is relatively uncommon. Retention of foetal membranes, however (see below) occurs in 2-10% of all foalings.

Post foaling checks
Following the safe delivery of a foal, the following checks should be made.

The foal
Most foals are on their feet within an hour of birth. The foal should search for the teats and suck vigorously within 2 hours of birth. Most foals then suck 5-7 times per hour in the first few days. Veterinary attention should be sought if:
• The foal gives any immediate cause for concern
• It is not standing within 2 hours
• It shows little or no inclination to suck within the first couple of hours following birth

The importance of colostrum
Colostrum is the thick, yellow liquid in the udder when the foal is born. It contains antibodies that provide protection against infection and must be sucked by the foal within the first few hours of life. If the mare runs milk prior to foaling, this essential protection is lost. Arrangements must be made to protect the foal in other ways. Contact BELL EQUINE for advice.

Veterinary newborn foal checks
A veterinary check of the newborn foal is recommended. Any problems and weaknesses can then be dealt with at once. The vet may give the foal tetanus antitoxin and antibiotic injections and take a blood sample from the foal to measure the IgG levels. This test is used to check whether the foal has received sufficient immunity from the colostrum.

The placenta
If the foetal membranes have not been expelled within 3 hours of birth, they are considered to be retained. This is most likely following abortion, difficulties foaling, twinning or when the mare has a caesarean section. It is important to spread the membranes out to check that they are complete. Even a small retained piece can result in serious complications. Bacterial multiplication within the uterus can quickly lead to septicaemia and endotoxaemia, with a potentially fatal result. Severe laminitis is a possible sequel.

If the membranes are retained, the first line of treatment is to give the mare small doses of oxytocin by injection at regular intervals up to a maximum of six injections. Any membranes hanging from the mare are tied up above her hocks to prevent them from becoming torn and contaminated. Gentle walking exercise may be helpful. If this fails to work or the mare had an assisted delivery, the uterus can be infused with sterile saline. This often promotes expulsion of the membranes, together with any uterine contaminants.

Manual removal may be attempted by BELL EQUINE who will take great care not to tear the placenta and leave a piece inside the mare. Excessive pulling on the membranes increases the risk of uterine prolapse. After two days, the attachment weakens and in some cases, manual removal can be safely accomplished.

If the mare retains her membranes longer than six hours, urgent veterinary treatment is required. If she develops a temperature and becomes obviously ill the uterus is flushed and intravenous fluids are administered, together with application of frog supports.

IN summary, arrival of foal should follow rule of 3:
• Within 1 hour: foal should stand
• Within 2 hours: foal should suckle
• Within 3 hours : placenta should be passed. If nothing has happened on 6 hours, potentially have a serious problem.