The developmental behaviour of foals and its relevance to husbandry, part 2: weaning

Free-ranging domesticated horses that have become feral or are kept under naturalistic free-range conditions stop being suckled by the age of approximately 10 months, unless their dam is not pregnant...

Figure 1. Dystocia caused by ventrally deviated head and neck. The foetal poll was palpable and the muzzle was retrieved and guided into the pelvic inlet, allowing an uncomplicated assisted vaginal delivery. Although born alive, the foal was euthanised because of congenital deviation of the rostral maxilla and nasal septum (wry-nose).

Understanding dystocia in the field: part 1

From approximately 2 months into gestation, the equine foetus is highly active (Allen and Bracher, 1992). The characteristically long umbilical cord facilitates free movement within the allantoic...

Figure 1. Elbow-lock posture.

Understanding dystocia in the field: part 2

Once the nature of the dystocia has been diagnosed, a concise conversation with the owners should ensue. The likely prognosis for mare, foal and subsequent fertility, as well as costs associated with...

Figure 2. Feeding options for equine neonates

Don't forget the foal: the nursing requirements of hospitalised foals when the mare is the primary patient

Admitting a mare for treatment at an equine hospital when she has a foal at foot is not comparable to admitting an adult horse with a companion. The foal, even though it is not the primary patient,...

Figure 3. A selection of treatments used in the management of the transitional mare.

Reproductive management of the transitional mare

Exposure of mares in deep anoestrus to a stimulatory photoperiod remains the most common method of advancing the first ovulation of the season. The duration from onset of adequate light exposure to...