Vet’s View continued from page 13 men) without the risks. The third, and one of the most popular insemination methods, is the use of cooled transported semen. In this way, the mare owner’s veterinarian performs regular ultrasound examinations on the mare, and then based on the findings, predicts when the mare is most likely to ovulate. The mare owner then contacts the stallion’s agent to arrange for him to be collected and have his semen shipped to arrive close to the time of ovulation. Timing is of the essence when using cooled transported semen, and it is invaluable to communicate with the stallion’s agent well in advance of breeding in order to determine how much notice they need in order to collect and ship to your area. The final option is frozen semen, which can have many benefits. For example, one can purchase semen from a horse anywhere in the world and have it on hand for when the mare is ready to be bred. This eliminates the need to coordinate collection with ovulation. However, conception rates tend to be lower with frozen semen, and there is also a greater potential for mares to develop inflammatory uterine reactions to the extender (preservative) used for frozen semen. Based on the health and fertility of your mare’s reproductive tract, your veterinarian may advise against using frozen semen, or at least recommend aggressive treatment of your mare’s uterine inflammation around breeding time. When spring arrives and your mare begins to show heat, your veterinarian will perform a series of ultrasound examinations in order to track her
through her cycle. This will help your veterinarian make decisions such as when to induce ovulation and breed the mare. He or she may also recommend treatments, such as uterine lavage, if evidence of uterine inflammation is seen on ultrasound. After insemination, your veterinarian will likely schedule a follow-up ultrasound to ensure that ovulation occurred within the ideal time frame. The mare can then be examined for pregnancy two weeks post-ovulation. Breeding your mare for the first time can lead to an exciting new career for your horse and is a fun way to add to your herd. However, navigating the unfamiliar waters of the breeding process can be overwhelming at times. It helps immensely to have a solid grasp of the science behind equine reproduction, and to do your homework when selecting a stallion and method of insemination. While this article aims to be a starting point in your journey to a foal, there is no better resource than your veterinarian when making plans for your mare in the upcoming breeding season. With a healthy mare, a knowledgeable veterinarian, and a little bit of luck, you may just have a new addition to your equine family on the way! Dr. Lauren MacLeod was born in raised in Delta, BC, where she was an active member of the equestrian community. Her background as a competitive Dressage rider has given Dr. MacLeod a strong appreciation for the demands placed on our equine athletes, as well as the desire to help horses perform comfortably and at their best. Prior to veterinary school, she completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia with a major in Animal Biology. Dr. MacLeod graduated with great distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in June 2015 and has joined Paton and Martin for their one-year internship program. Her veterinary interests include sports medicine, surgery, and reproduction.
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November 2015
by Fernanda Villar (URU) to win the 120-kilometre competition, have returned positive for the banned substance Guanabenz, a sedative with analgesic effect. The athlete has been provisionally suspended from the day of notification (29 September 2015). Additionally the horse has been provisionally suspended for two months. The athlete and the horse owner/s have the opportunity for a preliminary hearing before the FEI Tribunal to request the lifting of the provisional suspensions.
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