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Republished with permission from Equine Research Center Pre-Breeding Assessments If your mare is a maiden, barren from the previous year, or currently in foal, certain examinations and assessments should be made prior to the breeding season. Maidens: While most maidens need little or no work, a pre-breeding assessment is still worthwhile. A visual assessment of her vulva to see if she is a wind sucker should be made, and, if necessary, a Caslicks suture performed. A rectal and ultrasonic exam of her uterus and ovaries should be made to ensure anatomical congenital defects are not present. A vaginal speculum exam of her cervix is made to ensure it is competent. If the maiden has been wind sucking or if she is to be bred by live cover, a uterine culture swab should be taken to ensure no bacterial pathogens are present. Barrens: When assessing your mare who is barren from the previous year, a thorough reproductive examination and assessment is warranted. An attempt should be made to identify the reason why the mare failed to conceive during the previous breeding season. Examination Check List for Barrens Previous Records: Accurate records from the previous breeding season can provide valuable information regarding problems that may have previously occurred or still be present. Vulva: examined visually is a Caslicks suture required to prevent wind sucking Vagina: examined by speculum exam does it slope forward and allow urine pooling Cervix :examined by speculum exam are there any tears or scarring present from previous foaling injuries? Uterus:examined by rectal exam, ultrasonic exam, culture and cytology, endometrial biopsy and endoscopic exam. A combination of the above techniques is used to examine the uterus. Your veterinarian can assess which are required. Using the above techniques, the following problems may be detected: endometrial cysts bacterial infection scarring and fibrosis inadequate endometrial glands periglandular fibrosis Ovaries: examined by rectal exams and ultrasound exams. May detect: ovarian tumour cystic tissue adhesions to surrounding tissues Endocrine System: Assessments can be made to determine if the mare produces adequate progesterone post-ovulation and if her thyroid levels are normal. These endocrine assessments are often made in conjunction with breeding the mare and may be monitored throughout pregnancy in mares suspected of having a problem. Pregnant Mares: We expect our broodmares to foal and produce a vigorous, healthy foal and subsequently get rebred and pregnant within 10 to 30 days of foaling. We must, therefore, take extra care to ensure everything possible is done to help the post-foaling mare recuperate to a breedable state. Pregnant Mare Checklist Pre-Foaling: If Caslick suture is present, open routinely check that mare is still pregnant Post-Foaling: Same assessment as for a barren mare with special attention paid to checking for: good uterine involution possible tearing or scarring uterine infections Page [1] [2] [3] [4] Adapted from an Equine Research Centre article by Moira F. Gunn, B.V.M.S., Armstrong Bros. Inglewood, Ontario

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