By Dr Emma Gillman Bsc DVM
If your mare has had a positive 45-day scan this season, congratulations! Now you have just under 300 days to prepare for the highly anticipated arrival of your new foal. During this time there is some important aspects of preventative medicine that should not be forgotten to not only enhance your mare’s general health, but also to ensure your new born foal has the right start to life, and to give your mare the best chance of getting back in foal next season.
Vaccination
Mares up to date with their vaccination require a Tetanus and Strangles vaccination (2 in 1) 4 to 6 weeks prior to foaling. Equine Herpes Virus vaccinations can be given to help protect from herpesvirus mediated abortions, and severe illness in neonatal foals. These are given as a single injection at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation. Additionally Rotavirus vaccination can be used in some circumstances to help protect your foal from diarrhoea. This is particularly important if a history of viral related diarrhoea has been identified on your property in previous years.
Worming
Throughout the pregnancy your mares should be wormed as normal and we recommended faecal egg counts for a more targeted approach to worm control. Two weeks prior to foaling an Ivermectin wormer should be given to your mare.
Feet and Teeth
Regular hoof care is very important throughout pregnancy, as the increase in weight associated with pregnancy can exacerbate foot issues and cause unwanted stress. Dentistry is a commonly neglected area in pregnant mares. Dental care is important to detect any pathology and ensure the mare is able to eat comfortably, which is critical to ensure the whole digestive system is functioning efficiently to maintain her own weight and develop a healthy foal.
Nutrition
Mares should be kept at a body condition score of 6-7/9. Good quality pasture forms the basis of a quality feeding program for a pregnant mare. Obesity should be avoided, as it has been associated with the birth of weak/undersized foals. Additional nutrition requirements above maintenance are required in the last 3 months prior to foaling, as this is when a significant amount of foetal development occurs. Most of the diet should be fresh pasture or forage, but throughout pregnancy a fortified pelleted feed, designed for pregnant mares and balanced with appropriate energy, vitamins, and minerals, should be included (at the recommended daily feeding rate). Lucerne hay is also a good source of protein for pregnant and lactating mares. Mares should be in a positive energy balance at the time of foaling, allowing for the high metabolic demands of lactation at this time. Mares should always have access to fresh clean water.
Monitoring & environment
Mares should be checked regularly for signs such as lethargy, inappetence, vaginal discharge, premature mammary gland development and ventral oedema (swelling under the abdomen). These signs could be associated with infection/placentitis and these mares require urgent veterinary attention. If your mare has a history of pregnancy loss or placentitis in previous pregnancies the mare should be considered at greater risk. Regular monitoring during the later part of the pregnancy is recommended via an ultrasound examination in these mares. These scans are used to assess the thickness of the placenta and allow monitoring to detect subtle changes that could indicate placentitis. This allows appropriate treatment to be initiated to reduce the risk of abortion.
If your mare has a caslick (a procedure where stitches are used to fuse the upper part of the vulvar lips), it should be removed 2-4 weeks prior to foaling. It is recommended that your mare is moved to your foaling down paddock approximately 1 month prior to foaling to allow for the mares to adjust to the environment and develop immunity. This time frame may not always be possible and it is best to follow your veterinarians’ recommendations.
