Your Pregnant Mares’ Health Care Calendar

Your Pregnant Mares’ Health Care Calendar

You planned for this foal. You studied the pedigrees and performance records of many stallions and made the best possible choice for your mare. The breeding went well. Now what?

Day 16  

It’s time for the first ultrasound pregnancy check. The timing of this examination is very important because it is the optimum time to detect and manage twins. Twins pregnancies in mares usually end as an abortion of both twins. When twins are detected early we can reduce one twin and allow the pregnancy to progress normally.

Day 30

It’s time for the second ultrasound examination. By now both fetal fluid compartments are developing, the embryo should be properly oriented with a strong heartbeat.

Day 45

It’s time for the third ultrasound examination. The first 45 days of a pregnancy are the highest risk of pregnancy loss. Once you reach day 45 most pregnancies will go to term.

Fetal Sexing

Can be done at several times during a pregnancy. Day 60-75 and Day 100-150 are good windows

3 months

It’s time for your first Rhinopneumonitis vaccine if you are stabled at a high risk farm. Pregnant mares who are actively on a show circuit or living with show horses should start protection early.

5 months

Pregnant mares who are not at high risk should start their Rhinopneumonitis vaccines at this time. Vaccinate for Encephalomyelitis, Influenza, Tetanus and West Nile Virus.

7 months

It’s time for the second Rhinopneumonitis booster

9 months

It’s time for the third and final dose of Rhinopneumonitis

10 months

We are now 30 days away from foaling. It is time for Encephalomyelitis, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, Tetanus, West Nile Virus, All mares should be vaccinated for Rabies at this time. For mares living on farms at risk they should be vaccinated for Strangles at this time.

The day of foaling

All mares receive a postpartum physical examination and any necessary treatment resulting from the birth of the foal. Mares should be dewormed with Ivermectin within 12 hours of foaling to stop the passage of Strongyloides westeri (threadworms) in the milk.

This calendar is based on mares that are in a reproductive herd that are being bred back each year. All mares should be pregnancy checked again in the fall to be sure the pregnancy has been maintained. It is always a good idea to recheck mares prior to making sweepstakes nominations and futurity entries.