Preparing Your Horse for Breeding and Foaling

The natural time period when a mare is receptive to a stallion usually begins around April making the natural foaling season start around late February or March. When planning for a breeding or foaling season preparation is one of the most important factors.

When planning a breeding season for an open or maiden mare several factors need to be taken into consideration:

• The mare’s health should be evaluated and if she is in need of vaccinations or deworming, a plan to do so should be discussed with a veterinarian. If the mare will be leaving her home to be taken to the stallion, the stress of the new environment can lower her immune resistance and having the proper protection against diseases and parasites can decrease her chances of an issue later on.
• If the mare has never had a foal or has had issues with breeding in the past, a breeding soundness exam can be performed so the owner and anyone else involved will know the reproductive status and if any special considerations need to be taken with the mare to ensure a healthy and viable pregnancy.  

Once a mare is in foal, a few of the things that should be evaluated are the mare’s body condition score, her current health status, the foaling date and what supplies you have on hand.

• A mare in foal should be a minimum body condition score of 5.5 or 6 before the foal is due. If the mare is in good body condition during pregnancy she will not be in a negative energy balance once the foal is born and will not have to go through the difficulties of trying to add weight to herself during lactation.
• The vaccine status should be evaluated and if any boosters are required they can be given 4-6 weeks prior to foaling to offer an increase of antibodies to the foal through the colostrum.
• The average gestation length in horses is 340 days. The foaling date is important to know because all of the preparations you will be making during your mare’s gestation depend on the stage she is in her pregnancy. It is imperative to keep good records so the breeding dates, foaling dates and vaccination/ deworming dates are accurate.
• If you know a mare could be foaling soon, check your supplies and give yourself enough time to get anything your kit may be missing. Extra frozen colostrum, IgG kits and tetanus antitoxin are always good supplies to have just in case. 

For the original article click the link below:

http://www.extension.org/pages/29353/preparation-for-the-breeding-season#.VCAVa_ldWSo

By: Deanna Wagner