Identification and Management of the High Risk Mare

Several retrospective necropsy studies examining the causes of abortion, stillbirth and perinatal death in horses showed that infectious placentitis and delivery complications associated with dystocia and birth trauma were the most common causes of perinatal mortality (Giles 1993). Surviving neonates often require intensive therapy for sepsis, hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and/or dysmaturity. Early recognition of in uterocomplications allows therapy to begin prepartum, ensures an attended delivery and facilitates neonatal supportive care during or immediately post partum.

Mares at risk for abnormal pregnancies and compromised foals can be grouped into 3 general categories: 1) Mares with a history of past complications such as premature placental separation, placentitis, premature delivery; 2) Mares experiencing a problem with their current pregnancy due to severe maternal illness and/or reproductive tract disease; 3) Mares suffering unpredictable delivery complications (dystocia, umbilical cord accidents). Table 1 lists adverse periparturient events and complications to anticipate. [...]