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  Discussion on Safely tranquilizing a pregnant mare?
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2000 - 9:47 pm:

I have a 5 year-old mare, pregnant and due July 1. She's been on handwalk for the last 3 months, and the vet has just given us the go ahead for tack-walking and beginning the long road back to being fully fit. My vet isn't comfortable giving tranquilizers to pregnant mares, but I'm not comfortable getting on a young mare who is feeling "mighty fine" and would like nothing more than to get loose and play. (Don't get me wrong--she's an incredibly sweet mare without a mean bone in her body, but she is young, and I don't want her to "forget" I'm up there, and get silly while I'm riding.) Any ideas?

Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2000 - 3:55 pm:

No Gay,
Tranquilizers, while used in pregnant horses when absolutly needed and usually with no untoward effects, will cause depression of the fetus and increase the chances of problems. Perhaps you could wait until the foal comes.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2000 - 10:55 pm:

Thanks, Dr. O. That makes greatc sense, and there's no sense taking chances. It's not THAT much longer...

Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2000 - 10:49 am:

Hi Gay, you are right not to take chances but I think you might be able to do some work in the saddle without too many problems. Tack her up and lead her out for walks as usual. I use a lungeline through both bit rings for extra control. She will need to toughen up her back again and get used to having a tightish girth for a while before she can carry you comfortably. Will she long-rein? It might be a good idea to have someone walking at her head for a while just in case. Once you do get on board (don't forget to use a mounting block or get a leg-up) either do some slow work in an arena or go for a short ride out but again try to have a helper on foot. Not many horses play up in walk, its trotting and cantering, especially in company, which blows their brains up. Try to avoid windy days, or very cold ones, that can set them off. Instead take her out in hand for some grass and a chance just to stretch her legs. There is no need to take silly risks but I really believe that if you expect trouble you will almost certainly get it. You will get plenty when the foal arrives anyway (haha).

Posted on Monday, Jan 31, 2000 - 12:39 pm:

Thanks, Helen. This makes great sense. She's been no trouble when I've been hand-walking her, and b.p. (before pregnancy) she was the kindest most level-headed mare I've ever owned. Can't say quite the same about her now that she has all those hormones, but she's still a love. Just wandering the property at the walk would do us both a world of good.

Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2000 - 2:49 pm:

I recently had my pregnant mare tranquilized to have her teeth floated. I've been given controversary info on this topic, the current Vet that I am using told me that there is nothing to worry about, he's done it many times and had no reaction??? Now I find out that it could indeed have affected the fetus? She was 5 months pregnant at the time, is there anything I can do after the fact? Should this be something that I should avoid next time & if there will be problems, what should I look for?

Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2000 - 5:09 pm:

Hello Lanna;
As Dr. O stated earlier, while often used with no unseen problems, tranquilizers can cause fetal depression and mortality. I would recommend if possible waiting for mares to foal before performing procedures that require the use of sedatives or tranquilizers. If your mare seems to be acting O.K. since the procedure, she and the foal are probably fine. I look forward to hearing Dr. O's comments as well. Sincerely, Dr. Woodworth

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2000 - 12:06 pm:

Thank you for your response, I had forgotten I sent this question in & have been away for a couple of weeks. Yes, the mare seems to be fine and acting normal, but from now on, I will listen to your advice and not use any tranquilizers if it isn't an emergency. I always like to take the side of caution than make a risk, even if it is a small one! Thanx.

Posted on Friday, Feb 25, 2000 - 8:18 am:

Hello Lanna,
A year or so ago, we too had our pregnant mare tranquilized to get her teeth floated. They insisted that the dose was in the "safety zone" for pregnant mares. This was a Equine Dentist and very professional. Said he had tranquilized hundreds of preg. mares each year with no problems. You just need to know the safe dosage.
The mare delivered a healthy bouncing baby girl. :-)
I can tell you that I too worried inspite of the reassurance. Next time I will wait, but wanted you to know we had no problems...
Denise
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