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The Expectant Mare ( and Owner)

The Expectant Mare ( and Owner). Rebecca S. Dietz, DVM Littleton Equine Medical Center March 18, 2013. About Me. Raised in Roanoke, Virginia B.S. in Animal and Poultry Science from Virginia Tech Foaling Internship at the Lazy E Ranch DVM from Oklahoma State University

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The Expectant Mare ( and Owner)

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  1. The Expectant Mare (and Owner) Rebecca S. Dietz, DVM Littleton Equine Medical Center March 18, 2013

  2. About Me • Raised in Roanoke, Virginia • B.S. in Animal and Poultry Science from Virginia Tech • Foaling Internship at the Lazy E Ranch • DVM from Oklahoma State University • Worked for 1.5 years at Noble Equine Veterinary Service – Purcell, OK • Married Dr. Will French • Started working at Littleton Equine Medical Center • Puppy named Jasper

  3. …This Time in Pictures Noble Equine Veterinary Service

  4. Outline • Body Condition Scores • Nutrition – Feeding for a successful pregnancy and beyond • Mare • Conception to 8 months • 8-11 months • Lactation • Foal to Weanling • Getting ready for foaling • Preparation • Foaling Kit • Foal Watch • Foaling Process • Stages of Labor • First 24 hours • Foaling Problems - When to call for help • First weeks of life

  5. Body Condition Score (BCS) • Standardized scoring system used to assess bodyweight in horses • Assessment is made visually and by using palpation • Scale of 1 to 9 • 1 = Poor • 9 = Extremely fat • 5-6 = Ideal

  6. The BCS and Broodmares • Mares should be in GOOD to FAT condition PRIOR to breeding • Benefits: • Cycle earlier in the year • Fewer cycles per conception • Higher pregnancy rate • More likely to maintain pregnancies than thin mares Ideal BCS for broodmares is 6-7!

  7. What if your mare is… • Too THIN (BCS < 5): • More cycles to achieve pregnancy • Greater chance of early embryonic loss • Fertility can be improved if a thin mare is gaining weight at time of breeding • Too FAT (BCS > 8): • Metabolic disorders may affect fertility • Obesity does not seem to have negative effects on fertility, BUT it is associated with weak and/or undersized foals

  8. Disclaimer • The intended purpose of the nutritional information provided hereafter is solely to be used as a guideline. • Diets should be formulated with the needs of a particular horse or group of horses in mind. • Please consult your veterinarian before altering your horse’s diet.

  9. Mare Nutrition - Generalities • Early Gestation – Conception to 8 months • Adequate nutrition in the mare critical for normal fetal development • Nutritional requirements are the same as for the average non-working adult horse (a maintenance diet) • Pregnant mares in work will have higher nutritional needs than idle pregnant mares • Easy keepers vs. hard keepers will have variations in nutritional requirements • Late Gestation – 8 to 11 months • Increased nutritional demands • 60-65% of fetal growth occurs in the last 3 months • Lactation • Greatest period of nutritional demand • Underfeeding leads to lower milk production and loss of body condition  more difficulty becoming pregnant again

  10. What is Maintenance? • Maintenance diet – the amount of digestible energy needed daily to maintain body weight and to support normal activities in a non- working adult horse in good body condition • Calculating A Maintenance Diet • Weight < 600 kg • Digestible Energy (DE) in Mcal = 1.4 + (0.03 x BW) • Weight > 600 kg • DE in Mcal = 1.82 + (0.0383 x BW) – (0.000015 x BW2) • Digestible Energy and Pregnancy • Early Gestation = Maintenance requirements • Late Gestation • 9 mo = 1.11 x Maintenance DE • 10 mo = 1.13 x Maintenance DE • 11 mo = 1.2 x Maintenance DE

  11. Daily Nutrients for an 1,100 lb Mare *The Merck Veterinary Manual

  12. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • Total daily feed intake (hay + concentrate) • The amount of feed a horse can physically ingest • Ranges from 1.5 to 3.0% body weight daily (average = 2%) • 1.5-2.0 % of body weight in high-quality hay or grass • 0.5-1.0% body weight as concentrate (grain) • Dependent on: • Type and quality of hay or grazing • Crude fiber level • Energy density of the concentrate • Things to remember : • As fiber , energy density  •  energy density   amount of feed to meet energy demands • Forage quality, leads to a  in voluntary intake

  13. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • Conception to 8 months (non-lactating) • Foal develops at 0.2 pounds/day • Nutrient requirements very similar to any mature, idle horse • Increased requirements for mares still in work • Feed a 10-14% protein grain OR feed a ration balancer that will be higher in protein • Access to abundant, fresh, clean water • Access to salt or mineral supplementation

  14. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • 8 – 11 months gestation • 60-65% of fetal growth occurs during last 3 months of gestation • 10th month – greatest amount of mineral retention in unborn foal • Unborn foal growing about 1 pound/day • Increased demand for protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A • Necessary to properly support growth and development of the foal • BUT, less room in the abdomen for bulky feeds

  15. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • 8-11 months gestation - What to feed: • Good, quality grass hay • Alfalfa hay is good source of protein and calcium (not for all horses) • Quality concentrate supplementation, can provide needed protein and digestible energies, without the bulk • 12-14% protein • If feeding a ration balancer, will need to add an additional concentrate for added calories • Access to abundant, fresh, clean water • Access to salt or mineral supplementation

  16. Daily Nutrients for an 1,100 lb Mare *The Merck Veterinary Manual

  17. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • Lactation • Protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A requirements almost doubled from early gestation to lactation • Requirements MUST be met for mare to recover from foaling, lactate, and rebreed - all without losing body condition • Average mare produces 3 gallons of milk daily during a 5-month lactation • Peak production at 30 days and declines from there

  18. Mare Nutrition (cont.) • Lactation - What to Feed: • Good, quality grass hay • Alfalfa hay is a good source of protein and calcium (not for all horses) • Provide a concentrate that includes fats or oils and high quality protein to help improve nutrient content of milk • Feed 14-16% protein • If feeding a ration balancer, will need to add an additional concentrate for added calories • Gradually increase feed intake prior to foaling • Decrease risk of digestive upset • 2 or more feedings daily • Once foal is weaned, the dry, pregnant mare can be maintained as an early gestating mare again • Access to abundant, fresh, clean water • Access to salt or mineral supplementation

  19. Daily Nutrients for an 1,100 lb Mare *The Merck Veterinary Manual

  20. Daily Nutrients for an 1,100 lb Mare *The Merck Veterinary Manual

  21. Foal to 2 Year Old Nutrition • Between birth and 2 years old – grow to 90% or more of adult size • Gain as much as 3 pounds/day • By 8-10 weeks of age, mare’s milk may not be enough • Depends on desired growth rate

  22. Foal to 2 Year Old Nutrition (cont.) • Early nutrition affects their health and soundness for the rest of their life! • What to Feed: • High quality roughage, free choice (hay and pasture) • High quality grain concentrate • Amount depends on desired growth rate • 14-16% protein • Feed should be properly balanced for vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein • Additional Items: • Unlimited fresh, clean water • Access to a salt or mineral block – specifically made for horses • Abundant exercise

  23. Foal to Weanling Nutrtion (cont.) • Can feed up to 1-1.5% of foal’s body weight per day in grain (1 pound of feed for each 100 lbs) • Weigh and adjust feed rations based on growth and fitness • Use a weight tape to approximate foal’s size • Divide rations into 2-3 feedings • Creep feeders • Remove uneaten portions between feedings • Do not overfeed – overweight foals more prone to developmental orthopedic disease (DOD)

  24. Foal to 2 year old Nutritional Requirements *The Merck Veterinary Manual

  25. Preparing for the Big Day • Begin preparations AT LEAST 2-3 weeks before the anticipated due date • Prepare the foaling kit - keep it in a location that will be easily accessible during foaling • Gather important phone numbers: • Veterinarian • Assistants • Spectators • Keep a truck and trailer hooked-up in case of emergency • Know the best and fastest route to the veterinary hospital • Research foaling and know what is NORMAL and what is NOT!

  26. Foaling Kit • Flashlight and batteries • Halter and lead rope • Watch or clock • Cell phone • Bucket with water • Liquid soap • Tail wrap • Scissors • Bath Towels (3-4) • Feed sack or trash bag • Foal Halter • Naval dip (dilute chlorhexidine or betadine solution) • Medicine cup, shot glass, or syringe casing • Brown gauze, baling twine, or string • Exam gloves or OB sleeves • Fleet enema • Thermometer • Vaseline or sterile lube

  27. Location, Location, Location • Where is the mare going to foal? • Pasture • Abundant clean grass • Minimal dirt / mud / manure piles • Safe • Fencing • Random debris / sharp objects • Predators and / or other horses • Good weather • Foaling Stall (Recommended) • Ideally 14 ft x 14 ft or larger • Well bedded with straw or a combination of shavings and straw (shavings on the bottom) • Safe – remove random debris / sharp objects • CLEAN • Disinfect walls and /or floor if previously occupied (bleach water) • If mare lives in the stall, pick out manure and remove urine frequently

  28. Foal Watch • Udder development should begin about 3-4 weeks prior to the due date • If it begins any earlier, please contact your veterinarian • Monitor for waxing on teats or dripping milk • Frequently foal within 48 hours of first waxing • Monitor laxity of tail head and hind end muscles • Monitor vulvar length (Yes, literally measure it) • Monitor abdominal shape • Pear shape vs. Oval shape • Monitor for changes in behavior • Not eating well • Tail rubbing • Leaning hind end against the wall

  29. Want to ensure you’ll be there for the birth of your foal?

  30. Well, all you have to do is … Begin sleeping in the barn and spending no more than 15 minutes away from your mare, starting about 2 weeks before her due date OR

  31. Get a Foaling Detection Test Kit or Monitoring Device! Milk Calcium Test Kits Foaling Mare Monitoring Devices Foal Alert Breeder Alert

  32. The Birth The big day has arrived, after diligent watching, your mare is starting to act uneasy, she’s waxing, and starting to sweat… But what’s really going on?

  33. Stage I  Fetal Positioning • What’s Happening? • Uterine contractions begin increasing in intensity and frequency • Cervix begins to dilate • Foal rotates • Chorioallantoic membrane, foal forefeet and muzzle are pushed into dilating cervix • How long should it last? 30 minutes  4 hours

  34. Stage I – Fetal Positioning (Cont.) • What will you SEE? • Restlessness • Flank watching • Tail switching • Frequent urination in small quantities • Sweating • Getting up and down repeatedly • Leaking colostrum • What should you DO? • Wrap the tail (but not too tightly) • Wash the anus, vulva, and udders with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry • Place the mare in the foaling stall • Stand back and watch quietly and discreetly

  35. Stage II – Delivery of the Foal • What’s happening? • Begins with the “water breaking”. • The foal begins passage into the birth canal – front legs and head first • Amnionic sac visibly protrudes through the vulva • Mare lays down on her side, sometimes getting up and down to reposition the foal, then begins strong abdominal presses to push out the foal • Placenta begins to separate from the endometrium – beginning to cut off the oxygen supply to the foal • Ends with delivery of the foal • How long should it last? 2030 minutes AT MOST! • > 45 min typically ends in death of the foal because of lack of oxygen

  36. Stage II – Delivery of the Foal (Cont.) • What should you SEE? • 2 front feet, then a head!

  37. Stage II – Delivery of the Foal (Cont.) • What should you DO? • Start your timer when the water breaks • If progress is being made: • Stand back and watch the miracle of life! • Remove the amnion from the foal’s head and nostrils • If progress is not being made: • Vaginally check the position of the foal • 2 front legs and a head present • If so, apply traction to the front legs, keeping one leg in front of the other • Only pull WITH contractions • After passage of the foal’s chest, begin pulling down towards to the mare’s hocks to free the hips • If either legs or the head is missing • Call the vet, first! • We’ll talk about this more later….

  38. Stage II – Delivery of the Foal (Cont.) • What should you DO? (cont.) • If progress is NOT being made: • Vaginally check the position of the foal • 2 front legs and a head present • If so, apply traction to the front legs, keeping one leg in front of the other • Only pull WITH contractions • After passage of the foal’s chest, begin pulling down towards to the mare’s hocks to free the hips • If either legs or the head is missing • Call the vet, first! • We’ll talk about this more later….

  39. Stage III – Expulsion of the Placenta • What’s happening? • Uterus continues to contract to expel the membranes and begin involution the uterus • How long should it last? • Placenta should pass within 3 hours • What should you SEE? • Mares often act uneasy, get up and down, strain to pass the membranes • What should you DO? • Tie the placenta to itself to keep it from getting stepped on • If the placenta hasn’t passed within 3-6 hours, it is considered retained and will require veterinary intervention. • NEVER pull on a hanging placenta

  40. The Placenta • Remove the passed placenta from the stall and examine it or save it in a trash bag/feed sack for the veterinarian. • When in doubt, save it! Cervical Star Non-pregnant horn Hippomane Pregnant horn

  41. Other Foaling Words of Wisdom • Do not pull foals with anything stronger than your arms • OK to use foaling straps, OB chains, or a towel for a better grip if a foal needs to be pulled • Pull ONLY with contractions • If a foal is stuck, there is usually a REASON! • Without addressing that reason, you can seriously injure both the mare and the foal • Do not tie anything to hanging placentas! • When in doubt about anything, CALL your veterinarian! • With foals and foaling mares, prevention really is worth a pound of cure! • Do NOT trust new mothers!

  42. The Healthy Newborn – 1st 24 hours • Right after birth: • Encourage the mare to stay laying down for several minutes after birth • Once she stands, the umbilicus will usually break • Foal should sit up, be alert (maybe confused), and reactive • Dry off the foal to stimulate it and to clean out its nose and mouth • Dip umbilicus once the cord has broken • Dilute chlorohexidine or betadine solution • Dip the umbilicus several times daily until it feels dry • Allow mare and foal to bond undisturbed

  43. The Healthy Newborn (cont.) • Standing: • Should beginning making attempts not long after birth • Success is usually achieved within 1 hour or less • Move foal to a drier spot in the stall if its having trouble getting traction *Confession* Sometimes I cheat and help them stand if they’re struggling a lot

  44. The Healthy Foal (Cont.) • Nursing: • Should be achieved in 2 hours or less • Brush off the mare; wipe udder damp cloth • Encourage the foal to nurse on the mare, not the walls! • Visualize foal nursing on teats and swallowing colostrum • If you can’t tell, DO NOT assume…go in and LOOK • If the foal hasn’t nursed by 2.5 – 3 hours past birth, call your veterinarian!

  45. Side Bar  Colostrum • What is it? • Antibody rich milk, first produced by mares • Why is it SO important? • Contains antibodies to pathogens that mare has been exposed to in her environment and through vaccines • Foals are born WITHOUT any antibodies to defend themselves • Only produced for a short amount of time • Dripping milk before foaling  poor or no colostrum • How do you know if your mare has good colostrum? • Colostrometer • Yellowish color, thick, and sticky

  46. The Healthy Foal (Cont.) • Meconium – first feces – formed from the foal swallowing amniotic fluid in the womb • Firm black balls – foals often have difficulty passing all of it on their own • Nursing stimulates gut motility and passage of meconium • Foals will show signs of colic when unable to pass their meconium • Rolling on the ground or rolling on their back • Kicking at their belly • Tail swishing

  47. The Healthy Foal (Cont.) • Most foals will require at least one enema • Please consult your veterinarian BEFORE giving more than one enema • Enema types – Fleet or warm, soapy water • Enemas, and passing meconium, can sometimes encourage a foal to nurse • * CAUTION * - use extreme care when passing the tip of the enema into the foal’s rectum! • “Milk poop” – orange pasty feces that are passed after all meconium is out

  48. Normal Foaling Recap Normal birth (from water breaking) = 30 min or less Foal stands within 1 hour of birth Foal nurses within 2 hours of birth Placenta passes within 3 hours of birth

  49. The birth was uneventful, my new foal has nursed, it’s passed its meconium and its milk poop has come through; it seems great! I can stop worrying, right? WRONG!! Monitor a new foal ‘s nursing every 2-4 hours until it is 24-48 hours old. Once you are SURE it is nursing consistently and well, then monitor its nursing and behavior 2-3 times daily.

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