Late Pregnancy & Preparing for Foaling Colin Mitchell BVM&S CertEP MRCVS Hexham

Content Mare nutrition Routine care Vaccinations Preparations for foaling

Definitions Mare in foal for 11 months Gestation = pregnancy = in foal Lactation / lactating – mare feeding foal Womb = uterus

Mare Nutrition By 7 months of gestation – foetus 17% of birth weight 60% birth weight in last 3 months Total weight gain at full term – 10 – 12 % Foal birth weight approx 8 – 10 % Average TB mare 500 kg (not in foal) Average TB foal 45 kg

Mare Requirement

Early – mid gestation Early demands insignificant but not unimportant Good quality pasture may meet energy and protein requirements Need general mineral supplement

Early – mid gestation Little / no conc feed required unless : 1.Lactating 2.Pasture / hay quality or quantity declines Do not suddenly increase or decrease the mares intake

Exercise Can ride quietly and safely up to 6 / 7 months Healthy pregnant mare benefits from natural free exercise up to and including last few days Little proven risk from natural movement

Late gestation From 7 months – feed small, but increasing amount of conc to diet Last 3 months, energy demand increases : 9 th month: 10 % 10 th month: 15 % 11 th month: 20 % Space restrictions

Space Restrictions

Late gestation Average 550 – 600 kg TB mare in last month of pregnancy, receives: 1.concentrate 2.ad lib pasture / hay / haylage

Which Concentrate feed ? Ca & Pr : Energy Differ from maintenance to pregnancy & lactation Commercially available conc mixes designed for the purpose are advantageous

Late gestation Forage quality – monitor & feed as appropriate Beware of starving if obese and overfeeding if lean No sea-weed

Nutrition - complexities Grain based diet raises blood glucose and insulin for 4 – 6 hours Feeding 1 – 2 high starch meals daily ?? Surges / changes in insulin, growth hormone, glucose and thyroid hormone Developmental orthopaedic disease

Source of energy Fibre and oil based diets reduce these hormone fluctuations May reduce incidence of DOD

Feeding oil Concentrated source of energy 2 ¼ times the energy of carbohydrates Horses digest well – no temperament problems Introduce gradually Remember the ‘100 rule’

The 100 rule Do not exceed 100ml veg oil per 100kg bodyweight For every 100ml fed – supplement 100iu vitamin E

Farriery Routine trimming every 6 weeks Have re-shod if usually shod Try not to attempt anything new Check ingredients of any hoof supplements Sedatives ???

Dental Care Routine rasping – every 6 – 12months Fibre very important dietary constituent Careful handling Care with sedatives

Worming Strategy Should have one in place already check labelMost quite safe – check label Care with handling Good worming + good dental care => Efficient use of good quality fibre

Vaccinations Tetanus – a priority Influenza Herpes Virus ( EHV )

Tetanus Primary course: 2 injections 4-6 weeks Boosters: yearly / other year Repeat booster 4-6 weeks prior to foaling Tetanus anti-toxin often given to mare and foal on first day additionally

Antibody level Time booster

Antibody level Time booster F F

Influenza Usually combined with tetanus If programme up to date - ?continue Not usually required by foal at an early age

Herpes Virus ( EHV ) 75% of all horses carriers Very widespread Highly contagious Viral recrudescence

EHV – disease syndromes 1.Respiratory disease 2.Abortion 3.Neonatal foal disease 4.Paralytic form – uncommon 5.Sexually Transmitted Disease

Equine Abortion Cord abnormalities46% Placental abnormalities25% Foetal abnormalities18% EHV6% Twinning3% Maternal illness2%

EHV - vaccination Given at 5, 7 & 9 months of pregnancy Offers protection against abortion Can be used to reduce level of EHV in environment Yard situation ??

Colostrum Foal needs colostrum for : 1.Warmth 2.Energy 3.Laxative 4.Immune system – protection from environmental “bugs”

As foaling approaches Mare – needs to be in foaling environment at least 3 weeks prior to foaling Caslicks removal 15’ x 15’ box – thick straw bed Overhead light Tail bandage

Wash & dry rear end & hind limbs of mare with warm water CCTV Emergency numbers Clean towels Antibiotic spray