Being somewhat of a fledgling to owning pregnant mares, I would appreciate any tips, time tables, etc. on their care and feeding while in gestation. i.e. increases or changes in feed, worming (what not to use), vaccination schedule, routine/non-emergency vet checks, that sort of thing. I have 3 tb's who I believe are newly pregnant (less than 28 days) and a 4th who will probably become pregant soon.
You guys know it "all" so would appreciate your input on these issues. Thanks.
Seeking tips on broodmare health care
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn
There are good equine gestation tables out there on the web. Vaccinations are the normal annual ones, plys 5-7-9 shots (Rhinomune given fith, seventh and ninth month). We also give the mare her annual "booster" the month before she foals because I believe it builds up the antibodies for the foal.
I never use the wormer Moxidectin (Quest)... fenbendazole, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate are my faves.. and once a year praziquantel/ivermectin for tapeworms. You can worm any old time, but specifically a few days before foaling is good. Mine are all on a rigid once a month schedule.
If you have maiden mares (first foal) it is VERY wise to have a bit of acepromazine or other tranquilizer. Sometimes, the mare is so bewildered by the whole process that she won't permit the foal to nurse. A few cc's of ace in the muscle or on the tongue will calm her down.. a few hours later she will OWN that foal once it has nursed, but that first hour is critical. If the milk backup is very hard, it is a bit painful until the pressure is relieved and the mare will sometimes kick the poor bewildered infant foal away from her. You could also twitch the mare but that requires two people, and is not long-lasting.
Good luck with your mares! Wear old clothes you will get quite smelly and dirty handling the newborn.
I never use the wormer Moxidectin (Quest)... fenbendazole, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate are my faves.. and once a year praziquantel/ivermectin for tapeworms. You can worm any old time, but specifically a few days before foaling is good. Mine are all on a rigid once a month schedule.
If you have maiden mares (first foal) it is VERY wise to have a bit of acepromazine or other tranquilizer. Sometimes, the mare is so bewildered by the whole process that she won't permit the foal to nurse. A few cc's of ace in the muscle or on the tongue will calm her down.. a few hours later she will OWN that foal once it has nursed, but that first hour is critical. If the milk backup is very hard, it is a bit painful until the pressure is relieved and the mare will sometimes kick the poor bewildered infant foal away from her. You could also twitch the mare but that requires two people, and is not long-lasting.
Good luck with your mares! Wear old clothes you will get quite smelly and dirty handling the newborn.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
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Intrinsic Worth
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If the mare's bag is tight when the foal is born, have someone hang onto the mare and milk her until the bag loosens up. Watch out as she will more than likely try to kick at you. Domperidone is a good med to give to induce milk production and it works quickly.
It's important to increase food intake the last 3 months. We also add corn oil to her grain to lessen the chance of impaction and to make the colostrum more rich.
Plenty of turnout is essential for pregnant mares. Up until the last month, mares are better off living outside and coming in to eat meals and get checked. Mares are then brought inside at night the last month and go outside during the day.
Caslicks are taken out two weeks before they are due, but sometimes farms take them out a month before their due date.
Always be aware of any discharge from the mares as this can be a sign of abortion or uterine infections. Any abnormal discharge should immediately be looked at by a vet.
Vitamin C is a good supplement to give to prevent placental detachment (Flanders is on this her entire pregnancy.) She was given 12 tabs once a day.
It's important to increase food intake the last 3 months. We also add corn oil to her grain to lessen the chance of impaction and to make the colostrum more rich.
Plenty of turnout is essential for pregnant mares. Up until the last month, mares are better off living outside and coming in to eat meals and get checked. Mares are then brought inside at night the last month and go outside during the day.
Caslicks are taken out two weeks before they are due, but sometimes farms take them out a month before their due date.
Always be aware of any discharge from the mares as this can be a sign of abortion or uterine infections. Any abnormal discharge should immediately be looked at by a vet.
Vitamin C is a good supplement to give to prevent placental detachment (Flanders is on this her entire pregnancy.) She was given 12 tabs once a day.
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Karie
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Being somewhat of a fledgling to owning pregnant mares, I would appreciate any tips, time tables, etc. on their care and feeding while in gestation. i.e. increases or changes in feed, worming (what not to use), vaccination schedule, routine/non-emergency vet checks, that sort of thing. I have 3 tb's who I believe are newly pregnant (less than 28 days) and a 4th who will probably become pregant soon.
You guys know it "all" so would appreciate your input on these issues. Thanks.
Yikes... Your post was posted on January 26th.. and you say your mares are less than 28 days pregnant... well if you bred this early be prepared for December foals... Remember that all thoroughbreds turn a year older on January 1st...
Yeah, I know, they got somewhat of an early start, but it is okay. I am not breeding to race, nor am I even breeding thorougbreds, although my mares are tb's. The stud is a very well bred cremello AQHA stallion, so we will have lovely colored appendix babies! I'm so excited. Will be sharing pics for sure when that time comes. I miss the Name Game that this site had for a while. I was counting on it for assistance with naming babies. Any ideas?
Dam: Diplomatic Pleasure (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill (crem. QH)
Dam: Nottingham Lace (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
Dam: Ria's Little Angel (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
Dam: Mercedes (bay tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
Dam: Diplomatic Pleasure (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill (crem. QH)
Dam: Nottingham Lace (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
Dam: Ria's Little Angel (ch tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
Dam: Mercedes (bay tb) Sire: WF Indian Bill
