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  Discussion on Early parturition
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 30, 2000 - 9:06 am:

We have a mare who for the past 2 years has delivered her foal a month to 6 weeks early. This last one lived a month before she stepped on it in the stall and we had to put it down. She's a TB and has had normal foaling before. Last year she was bred in Feb. for a Jan. foal and had it in Dec. She was on Regumate and SMZ's. She was bred back this season also in Feb for a Jan foal, and is on Regumate and SMZ's once a month for 10 days.
I wonder if Feb is the best time to breed a problem mare. Don't mares cycle better and with less problems in April/May? We are located in central Kentucky.

Posted on Saturday, Sep 30, 2000 - 10:59 am:

The question centers on: "better for what?" I don't know of any extra health risks for mares bred and foaling in the winter other that the consequenses of a foal having to deal with a colder environment. I feel the extra stalling that may be required will expose the foal to more pathogens.
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 1, 2000 - 8:06 am:

Is this why I've heard it's healthier for the foal to be born outside and not in a stall? Your comment makes sense. Having a mare foal in a stall in a poorly ventilated, cinderblock barn would expose the foal to more germs than it would be outside in a paddock.
I guess it is easier to have foals born in nice weather with green grass growing-asthetically anyhow. I do know that by August,the April/May foals have caught up to the Jan/Feb. foals in terms of size.
Again, thanks for your clarification. Sometimes the most obvious,sensible thing goes unnoticed!

Posted on Sunday, Oct 1, 2000 - 10:09 am:

It is not just the germs but even tiny loads of ammonia, like would be found in very well kept but closed in barns, are known to greatly decrease resistance to inhaled pathogens/allergins.
DrO
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