Mares have their own agenda during breeding season

It seems mares, like many other animals, are able to interrupt a pregnancy.    In horses, the interruption usually occurs after implantation in the uterus.   Many have had the experience of breeding their mare to a chosen stallion, getting a heart beat, and get to 60 days, then 90 days… and find some time after, that the mare has either absorbed or aborted the fetus.

Why??  Unknown… however, it could be that the mare had her own agenda.  There are studies that have shown that stress, transitioning horses into or out of the herd, and exposure to contagions…, even the scent of an unfamiliar male – stallion or gelding- are all strong possibilities.

So what can a breeder do?  Pay attention to your mare.  Keep the environment as consistent as possible.  If your mare is used to being out with or near geldings, continue to do do, provided they have not left the farm.   Yeah, it seems odd,, but separating them can increase the chances of a  pregnancy loss by up to 8 times.  Now is not the time to separate her from her best bud in the herd.  You can find out more in the Journal of Animal Science- November 2015 “Pregnancy disruption in artificially inseminated mares as a counter-strategy against potential infanticide.”

Do Keep up with well mare care during her pregnancy.   And, keep an eye out for plants in your fields that are not horse friendly…. More on horse friendly plants in a later post.