Pregnancy in horses is fascinating for horse lovers, and while horses become pregnant and give birth as naturally as humans do (and do so in the wild without any intervention at all) it’s understandable that looking after a pregnant horse can be a nerve-wracking experience. The better we understand it, the better we can care for our pregnant mares and any problems can be detected early.
With this in mind we’ve put together a brief guide to pregnancy in horses; from how to recognise the signs of pregnancy and ensuring they stay healthy throughout, to knowing how long they’re pregnant for and understanding the different stages.
HOW TO TELL A HORSE IS PREGNANT
One of the most important ways to ensure your mare (and her foal) has a healthy pregnancy is identifying it early on. Mares often don’t show any visible signs for the first three months, particularly if it’s their first foal , but later in the pregnancy the abdomen will increase in size, and they may have a bigger appetite and gain weight. There could even be subtle changes in behaviour; pregnant mares can often seem more ‘relaxed’ and may even show signs of wanting to bond with other horses.
The best way to confirm that your mare is in foal is to have it confirmed by a vet, who can confirm it with a scan around two weeks after the mare has been bred. They’ll also need a scan at around 25 days to see if they’re carrying twins, something that’s rare but which can cause complications; a vet might give the owner the option of having the second embryo terminated, to give the mare and the other embryo a better chance.
Pregnancy can also be confirmed by blood and urine tests two to three months in, or a manual examination can be done around six weeks.
HOW LONG ARE HORSES PREGNANT?
Horses can be pregnant from 330 days to 345 days (around 11 months), although this can vary depending on age, general health, breed and the season; mares bred in the spring often have a longer gestation, as do older mares and mares carrying colts.
Like humans, horses go through three stages of pregnancy:
First trimester (conception – 3 months) – Development is quite rapid at this stage, the gender of the foal can be determined by 3 months, and the foetus will start to look like a tiny horse.
Second trimester – The foal’s organs will be maturing rapidly, and the mare might start showing signs of pregnancy, for example, an enlarged abdomen. This is a critical period for both the foal and the mare so good nutrition and care is vital.
Third trimester (6 months – EFD – estimated foaling day) – this is a period of rapid growth as the mare’s body prepares for birth.
In their natural environment mares are bred in the summer, with the foals being born the next spring/early summer when the weather is mild and there’s plenty of pasture. Mares are polyoestrous, which means they’re in heat and regularly receptive to stallions in three-week cycles throughout the spring and summer – usually when there are more hours of daylight. This could be an evolutionary development that ensures foals are born in the spring when pasture is more abundant.
A mare can be capable of pregnancy from around 18 months, but it’s better for her if she’s reached her full size – around four years old. She can then carry on having foals, into her late 20s.
HOW TO CARE FOR A PREGNANT HORSE
A pregnant mare will need careful monitoring by a vet throughout her pregnancy, and her health needs to be prioritised.
Nutrition and diet – A balanced diet is important for healthy growth and development, of both the foal and the mare, so should include the right foods to keep them healthy, with good quality forage, such as hay or grass, high quality concentrate and the right vitamins and minerals. A mare might need additional supplements in the last trimester when the foal is developing rapidly.
Exercise – Gentle exercise, such as hand walking and light riding up until the last month of the pregnancy, helps the mare prepare for birth and will help post-partum recovery, as well as being good for their physique.
Body condition – Optimal body condition is vital for the health of the mare and the foal, as being under/overweight can cause complications with pregnancy and birth.
Vaccinations – A pregnant mare will need regular blood tests to make sure she doesn’t have any infections or deficiencies that could affect the foal’s development. Vaccinations for conditions such as tetanus can help both the mare and the foal build up immunity.
Read our blog for more info about horse health, including our guide to how horses sleep and spotting the signs of rain scald.
D-DAY
After around 315 days of pregnancy, you should be on the lookout for signs of foaling. The mare may start leaking milk, or colostrum; her belly may appear to drop, and her udder will start to expand. She might become restless and paw the ground or keep looking towards her flank. She’ll need a clean straw-filled stall with plenty of room. While she might lie down/get up a lot, she’ll most likely deliver the foal while lying down.
CAN YOU RIDE A PREGNANT HORSE?
If your horse is used to you riding her, then it’s safe to ride her as you normally would for the first five months, and light riding is fine until she’s in the last month of pregnancy. If they’re not being ridden it’s important to still turn her out regularly, as exercise will help them during labour, and help them recover after the birth.
INSURANCE
Horse ownership is a big financial commitment and if the unexpected happens it can be expensive, so it’s worth considering horse insurance to give you peace of mind. Our policies come with one standard benefit – Death, Theft or Straying – then you get to choose the rest from a list of Optional Benefits that include Public Liability, Loss of Use and Personal Accident.
Remember to check your policy wording as Loss of Use, Death and Vets Fees following pregnancy or foaling won’t be covered, and foals aren’t covered until they’re 31 days old. For more info, and a free-no-strings quote, visit our website or give us a call today.
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