Ultrasound - Helping at risk Mares Deliver Healthy Foals

Hope for Problem Mares | Dr Joan Carrick
 

Over the past five years, Scone Equine Hospital has developed a successful monitoring program for pregnant mares similar to those used on pregnant women. Mares at risk for developing Placentitis are monitored and treated intensively throughout pregnancy to ensure the delivery of more healthy foals at full term.

Funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, and carried out by Dr Joan Carrick, a specialist in equine medicine at Scone Equine Hospital, this research delivered successful results for previously problem mares.

Before this program was developed, mares were examined once at 45 days gestation and then not re-examined until close to foaling. This is in stark contrast to pregnant women who have regular ultrasound examinations throughout their term.

This procedure has enormous benefit for the horse breeding industry with an increased number of healthy foals delivered by problem mares. Before this treatment, mares at risk of Placentitus had a birthing rate of 50%. The monitoring treatment increased this rate to 90%.

The research findings of this program were released to an international forum of equine veterinarians in 2010 , At this stage, Scone Equine Hospital is the only practice using such an intensive preventative program for mares with problems carrying a pregnancy.

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