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  Discussion on So... for next year what should we try?
Author Message

Posted on Saturday, Aug 18, 2001 - 11:14 am:

Dear Dr O

My mare didn't settle although she was covered on three different seasons. The stallion is in the Irish Horse Board register so his statistics are available through their publications. Although he's 11 yo and not covering that many registered mares yet, there doesn't seem to be anything dire to worry about from their figures on the stallion fertility side.

I am not convinced that the problem wasn't human on two occasions and unlucky on the third but... I plan to try again with the same stallion next year so I want to do what I can to improve the chances. The mare has had a previous foal 5 years ago and is currently 10 yo. She was swabbed clean between the different coverings although the stallion owner said he did see some discharge on the last occasion.

I have read your article(s) as well as discussing with my vet's assistant, who did the most recent scan on the mare. He suggested that as soon as she shows in season at the end of next February, she needs to be monitored every second day to check the size of the follicles.

There is a strong tradition of stitching mares that are hard to settle here which I don't particularly agree with, and the vet's assistant said he didn't think she needed it as the bone is quite high in her pelvis.

Both the stallion owner and my vet noted that she seems to come in and go out of season fast and so the vet assistant's theory seems to be that the mare is being presented to the stallion too late in her season, that she just happens to ovulate with quite small follicles. Once they know what is "normal" for her they can pass this on to the stud's vet to give a better chance of her being bred at the right moment and settling.

It seems to hang together but on the other hand it's also a jolly good little money earner for the vet at a quite time of year at £20 per scan, plus I have to trailer her an hour there and back for the scan every second day.

Would you go through this process or just leave her at the stud early in the season and keep your fingers crossed? I will certainly take her up to be checked and swabbed but I'm not sure about the repeat visits.

And sod's law... the stallion and one of his offspring both won their classes in the Future Event Horse League recently so I expect the stallion's price will now increase!

All the best

Imogen

Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2001 - 7:30 am:

Hello Imogen,
I would keep my fingers crossed either way. Though there are many factors not available to me if you find the breeder trustworthy, you better leaving the mare with the stallion.
DrO
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