Recent News for Breeding and Reproduction
Article
Kentucky Legislators Ask USDA for Assistance With Horse Industry 'Disaster'
May 16, 2001
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and two members of the House of Representatives from the Bluegrass State -- Ernie Fletcher of the 6th Congressional district and Ed Whitfield from the 1st district -- have written a letter to Secretary of Agricultur... Read More
Article
Dr. Byars--Pericarditis Becoming More of a Problem
May 16, 2001
While the numbers are nowhere near those associated with early fetal loss and late gestation pregnancy loss, there is a pattern appearing with horses developing pericarditis (fluid in the sac around the heart), said Dr. Doug Byars, a specialist... Read More
Article
May 12 Update: Foal Loss Appears to Be Slowing
May 16, 2001
As the breeding season winds to a close, you expect to see fewer foals being born. Therefore, there are fewer chances for the current syndrome to affect late-gestation mares. It also seems, however, that the loss of late-term gestations--and... Read More
Article
Evidence Presented at Keeneland Suggests All Horses May Be at Risk
May 16, 2001
The foal loss syndromes facing Kentucky's pregnant mares might be just the start of a host of problems that could affect horses of all ages, breeds, sexes, and uses in Kentucky and other states. Whether you have a gelding that is on turn-out, a... Read More
Article
Kentucky Diagnostic Center Fetal/Foal Loss Update, 5/15
May 15, 2001
As of noon May 15, the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center had received 26 additional aborted/stillborn equine fetuses/foals (18 late-term and eight early-term) for diagnostic testing/evaluation. The total received since April 28, 2001, is... Read More
Article
Syndrome Problems Continue in Ohio; Spread to West Virginia
May 15, 2001
It might not be possible to gauge the extent of the fetal loss syndrome problem in Ohio since pleasure horse owners might not pay for the cost of testing on dead fetuses and foals presented to the diagnostic lab. However, anecdotal reports support... Read More
Article
Additional Information on Zearalenone
May 15, 2001
In the industry-wide meeting at Keeneland on Thursday, May 10, zearalenone, a kind of mycotoxin, was put forth as a possible cause of the recent rash of late-term stillbirths, critical foals, and early fetal loss. But while experts seem to be in... Read More
Article
Kentucky's Fields Of Dreams Now Nightmares
May 11, 2001
The old-timers say Kentucky is horse country because of its soil. What's now growing on that soil could be the cause of a rash of late-term losses in foals, early embryonic death, pericarditis (fluid surrounding the heart), reduced growth rates... Read More
Article
Glossary Of Terms For Mare Reproductive Loss Syndromes
May 11, 2001
Following is a glossary of terms related to the mare reproductive loss syndromes in horses. This will be a living document--we will add to it as requested or as necessary. If you have any terms you would like to see listed on this document,... Read More
Article
Florida Only State Requiring Special Permit for Kentucky Shippers
May 06, 2001
Concerns about reports of late term abortions and early fetal loss in Kentucky mares has caused only Florida to enact special restrictions on horses shipping in from the Blue Grass.Kentucky state veterinarian Dr. Don Notter said he has... Read More
Article
Florida Officials Tracking Requests for Horse Shipments; Van Companies Busy
May 06, 2001
Officials with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Animal Industry, reported early Thursday afternoon that in 2 1/2 days they have received applications for 71 permits for horse shipments from Kentucky to... Read More
Article
Elective Cesarean Sections: Who Needs Them?
May 01, 2001
Many horse breeders and owners are familiar with the circumstances that necessitate an emergency cesarean section. Those circumstances involve the mare and/or unborn foal being in imminent danger due to birthing difficulties (also known as... Read More
Article
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) and Breeding
May 01, 2001
I have a 6-year-old Quarter Horse mare N/H (heterozygous) for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), and a lot of vets have told me that I can breed her to a Thoroughbred, and the baby should be fine. She does have some problems with the... Read More
Article
Feeding Young Horses: It's Not the Protein
May 01, 2001
Genetics, exercise, and nutrition all play a role in the occurrence of developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) in young horses. There are, however, conflicting theories regarding the role of each. Breeds selected for rapid growth are at an... Read More
Article
Orphan Foal Farm Directory
April 20, 2001
The following farms raise orphan foals. If your orphan care service is not listed here or your listing needs to be updated, fax us at 859/276-4450 or e-mail <A href="mailto:editorial@thehorse.com?subject=Change to Orphan Foal Farm Directory,... Read More
Article
Septic Arthritis: Joint Savings
April 01, 2001
However, the most common cause of lameness that veterinarians see in neonatal foals is caused by septic arthritis, not careless mares. Septic arthritis also can be seen in older foals and adult horses, but the cause usually is quite different from th... Read More
Article
Castration In The Horse
April 01, 2001
Becoming educated on the entire process of castrating horses can only help you make decisions that are best for your horse. Castration has been used to control masculine/aggressive behavior in the male horse for hundreds of years. In medieval... Read More
Article
Untimely End--Early Embryonic Death
April 01, 2001
Breeding horses can be both exhilarating and devastating. Wrapped up in the process are hopes, dreams, and visions of future greatness and glory. The hopes and dreams begin with the selection of a stallion for your special mare. You assess her... Read More
Article
The Trouble With Twins
March 01, 2001
Mother Nature clearly does not favor the birth of equine twins, as a significant number of twin embryos spontaneously abort within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Of the twin conceptions present after 40 days of pregnancy, about 80% will... Read More
Article
Ready, Steady, Grow--Feeding Young Horses
March 01, 2001
We don't have all of the answers when it comes to feeding young horses. A nutrition program that doesn't promote--and possibly helps prevent--developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), including osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), is critical at this... Read More
Article
Stallion Libido
March 01, 2001
I have a breeding problem with my 13-year-old Quarter Horse stallion. He has tremendous bloodlines. He has four or five foals on the ground, so I know that he is not infertile. But recently I leased him to a friend out of state to use. He... Read More
Article
Baby Teeth
March 01, 2001
Perhaps one of the most neglected aspects of equine health, until a problem manifests itself, is the monitoring and care of a young horse's baby teeth. After all, they are only temporary and are shed at various stages to make way for permanent... Read More
Article
Ovarian Tumors
March 01, 2001
Whether you operate a breeding operation or have a mare as a riding or competition mount, there are certain problems that you might face just because your horse is female. One of those problems is the ovarian tumor. Tumors can cause estrous... Read More
Article
Can You Breed for Speed or Stamina?
March 01, 2001
For centuries, horsemen have tried to breed for speed and endurance and found that the greatest genetic potential can yield disappointment as easily as reward. Consider the indomitable Secretariat, who sired a string of mostly unremarkable... Read More
Article
Weanlings for Education and Profit
March 01, 2001
The horses were used to teach a class of inexperienced students horse care, and then were sold as yearlings in a private auction benefiting the Rutgers equine research program. The program was so successful the college currently is working with ... Read More
