Breeding

Examination of the term placenta: the ultimate disposable organ

Although the word placenta technically refers to the fetal and maternal components, it refers to just the fetal parts in common usage. Hence, for the purpose of this paper, the fetal membranes will be...

Diagnosis and treatment of equine sand enteropathy

Clinical signs associated with sand accumulation can be varied, nonspecific and often overlap with other presentations of gastrointestinal diseases. One of the most common presentations is acute colic...

Evaluating the post-foaling mare with colic. Part 2: the genitourinary and reproductive tracts

Periparturient haemorrhage has been estimated to affect 2–3% of broodmares and account for 40% of periparturient deaths (Frazer, 2003a; Arnold et al, 2008). Haemorrhage may occur prepartum but is most...

Complications in equine transvaginal ultrasound‒guided follicular aspiration

The reported prevalence of complications is generally low, but with a wide range (0.4–22%) and can extend from mild (rectal or vaginal bleeding) to severe clinical scenarios (rectal tears,...

Prostaglandin use in broodmares. Part 2: other applications in reproduction

Indications for termination of pregnancy include mismating, twins, abnormal fetus and health risks to the mare (Douglas et al, 1974). If pregnancy is terminated in the first trimester there are few...

Tips and tricks for fluidproducing mares

Mares susceptible to persistent mating-induced or infectious endometritis with delayed uterine clearance, abnormal reproductive anatomy, or mares with failure of cervical relaxation, commonly present...

Prostaglandin use in broodmares: part 1: uses, physiology and safety

Prostaglandins are locally active lipid compounds with multiple hormone-like effects. Their name derives from the prostate gland, which was initially assumed to the be the source of prostaglandins...

What to do and when: management of equine twin pregnancies

Natural reduction occurs when one embryo is eliminated without any intervention. The actual mechanism of natural reduction is not known (Ginther, 1989b). Fixation of the embryonic vesicles...

A touch of glass: cryopreservation of equine embryos by vitrification

Mammalian embryos cryopreserve well when they are relatively small, contain a negligible blastocoele cavity and their structure allows for the passage of cryoprotectants into the cells. Equine embryos...

The developmental behaviour of foals and its relevance to husbandry, part 2: weaning

Free-ranging domesticated horses that have become feral or are kept under naturalistic free-range conditions stop being suckled by the age of approximately 10 months, unless their dam is not pregnant...

Horserace Betting Levy Board: codes of practice update

The Horserace Betting Levy Board codes of practice are a vital resource for vets and horse owners of all disciplines and it is worth reviewing them each year to refresh existing knowledge and keep up...

Uterine diagnostics: what is the best sample?

Mares with uterine disease most commonly present as cases of poor fertility, including failure to conceive, pregnancy loss or abortion. Mares with a history of uterine fluid accumulation, abnormal or...