HEALTHY START FOR BROODMARE AND FOAL

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Horses are more susceptible to infected fescue than are cattle, and as little as 5% to 10% infected tall fescue plants in a pasture can lead to fescue toxicity in mares. Gestation can be prolonged for several weeks, resulting in a foal that is much larger than normal, yet at the same time developmentally premature, with overgrown hooves, fine hair, lax leg tendons, and, perhaps, missing incisors.

Many foals born to mares fed infected fescue will not survive. Only one foal in 11 lived past the first few days of age in one study. In some cases, the placenta becomes so thick that the foal, unable to break out, suffocates. In others, udder development and milk production are inhibited, leaving the mare with dangerously little or no colostrum, a necessary source of protective antibodies for the foal.

It is possible to test tall fescue grass or seed to determine if the infective fungus is present. And noninfected varieties of fescue have been developed, although they are not as hardy. Also, drugs have recently become available that help to offset some of the toxic effects of infected fescue. But the absolute best prevention remains to avoid feeding tall fescue grass and that means pasture, hay, and haylage-during the last trimester.

A mare seeds 85% mere calcium in the last trimester-sad that can't be met by simply increasing feed.

Vaccination and Deworming

Pregnant mares should be vaccinated for equine herpes virus 1 at five, seven, and nine months of gestation. Equine herpes virus 1 is a common cause of late term spontaneous abortion in horses and may also cause respiratory and central nervous system disease. To reduce the risk of exposure to equine herpes virus, you'll also want to isolate your pregnant mares from other horses that have a history of respiratory tract disease or spontaneous abortion.

Vaccination against common equine diseases such as equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus, rhinopneumonitis, and influenza should be performed one month before the expected foaling date to promote high immunoglobulin concentrations in the colostrum. The foal is completely dependent on colostrurm for its ability to fight infections. Vaccinating the mare before foaling will ensure that the foal will be able to mount an effective immune response against many of the diseases it is likely to encounter after birth.

If the mare is to be moved to a different farm to foal, this should be done at least one month beforehand to allow her to produce antibodies against any diseases present in the new environment.

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