Before sending your mare to stud, there are several important factors to take into account to ensure her health, safety, and breeding success. Proper preparation is key to a smooth and successful breeding experience. For a comprehensive understanding of the process, it’s recommended to consult with your local veterinary surgeon who can provide detailed guidance tailored to your mare’s specific needs.

Breeding Soundness Examination of the Mare

One of the first steps before sending your mare to stud is to have her undergo a thorough breeding soundness examination by your veterinary surgeon. This examination is crucial to assess whether your mare is in optimal condition to breed and can significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome. To perform the examination safely, your veterinary surgeon may require the use of stocks, particularly for mares that may be nervous or uncooperative. However, quiet and well-behaved mares can often be examined effectively over a stable door.

The breeding soundness examination typically includes the following components:

• Physical Examination: A general health check to assess the mare’s overall condition and identify any potential issues that might affect breeding.
• Rectal Examination: This allows the veterinarian to palpate the reproductive organs, assessing their size, shape, and position.
• Ultrasound Scan: An ultrasound provides a more detailed look at the mare’s reproductive organs, including the uterus and ovaries, to check for abnormalities or conditions such as cysts or fluid accumulation.
• Reproductive Examination: This may involve a closer inspection of the mare’s reproductive tract to ensure it is healthy and free from infections or other issues.

During this examination, your veterinary surgeon can also perform clitoral swabs and blood tests as required by the stud. These tests are essential to confirm that your mare is free from venereal diseases, which is a prerequisite for most stud farms.

Other General Considerations

In addition to the breeding soundness examination, there are several other general considerations to address before sending your mare to stud. These include:

• Vaccinations: Ensure your mare is up to date on essential vaccinations, particularly tetanus, influenza, and herpesvirus if required. These vaccines help protect your mare and any potential foal from common infectious diseases.
• Worming Control: A regular worming program is vital to maintain your mare’s health, especially when she will be in close quarters with other horses at the stud.
• Teeth Management: Proper dental care is essential as dental issues can affect your mare’s ability to eat properly, which in turn can impact her overall health and condition.
• Shoeing: Consider your mare’s hoof care needs, particularly if she will be working or turned out on different surfaces at the stud.
• Overall Physical Condition: Assess your mare’s body condition, ensuring she is neither underweight nor overweight, as both can affect her ability to conceive and carry a foal successfully.

It is also common practice for any new arrival at a stud farm to be isolated for 3-4 weeks. This isolation period helps to ensure that any incubating infections are identified and managed before the mare interacts with other horses at the stud. If your mare is already pregnant and you are sending her away to stud to foal and be covered again, it is advisable to have her arrive at the stud at least 3-4 weeks before her expected foaling date. This allows her to acclimate to the new environment and ensures she is settled and comfortable before foaling.

Your veterinary surgeon is an invaluable resource throughout this process, providing not only the necessary examinations but also offering advice on how best to prepare your mare for her time at stud. Their guidance will help you make informed decisions that promote the health and well-being of your mare and her future foal.