5 things to consider regarding your broodmare...
Let's define different types of broodmares:
There are two types of 'dry' mare. The mare left not in foal from last year or previous years (she may not have conceived or by owner choice not bred) and the maiden mare (normally a younger mare in her first season). The 'wet' mare on the other hand is waiting to foal or has a foal at foot and is lactating - hence the wet mare terminology.
1. Dentistry, Feet and Parasite control - Both wet and dry mares need routine health care such as dentistry (it is not recommended to do this routinely in the 6 weeks prior to or after foaling), hoof care and a faecal egg count to ascertain if there is a worm burden (note - this will be a whole other post on parasite management) then dewormed appropriately.
2. Nutrition - Dry mares only require a maintenance or 1.25 x maintenance diet up until the beginning of the fifth month of gestation. We are aiming for a body score condition of 5 out of 9 as described in the image below courtesy of Standlee.
3. Vaccination- Both dry and wet mares in Australia should be covered for Tetanus and Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus at a minimum. If travelling to an area with known Hendra virus concerns, it is commonly a requirement for vaccination. Rhodococcus equi (Rattles) and Salmonella vaccines may also be required and beneficial.
4. Cycling behaviour- Mares cycle with increasing daylight during Spring and Summer, sometimes into Autumn. To gain a jump on the breeding season it is common practice to artificially increase the daylight hours by having your mare stabled with the lights on until approximately 10pm. This 'tricks' the part of the brain that is responsible for seasonal control of cycling into thinking Spring is here! Equilume light masks can be used for the same purpose in paddock conditions.
Fear not if this all seems a bit of a fuss, as Mother Nature will do her thing and all things well, in Australia, your mare should tick over with her first ovulation by October 1. (But don't be fooled if she seems to be constantly in season for as little while before than, as mare's have a 'transition' phase in Winter/early Spring before the real cycling pattern begins.
5. The most important one! Allow your trusted equine reproductive veterinarian to examine your mare early on the cycling process to check for anything that may be amiss. This is especially important in those dry mares that didn't conceive last year and didn't get a thorough 'problem mare examination' at the end of the previous season.
What does this involve? Both a visual inspection and clinical examination, including a reproductive examination with an ultrasound machine - yes, we use the big long gloves! Other tests and examinations may be recommended based on the individual case.
What do you need to do? Provide a safe environment for the examination with a mare crush or a simple set of stocks with dimensions similar to the link above in an undercover area is ideal. Why undercover? The daylight can make the image on the ultrasound difficult to see. If you don't have a crush, most reproduction vets (including me) have a facility you can bring your mare to.
So, let's get these girls in foal! Reach out to Kirsty on 0427700343 via call or text if you have any questions!
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