Equine

Horse vets hope to expand equine reproductive research

vetreportSeptember 19, 2017

While there have been significant advances in equine reproduction techniques over the past 15 years there has been a shortage of research on reproductive problems in broodmares. The UK veterinary industry hopes to address this deficit by engaging new veterinary interest in the subject; this month the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has published an online reproduction research collection, with an introduction from equine reproduction expert Jon Pycock, new President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). Jon has also put together some pertinent tips for breeders to help them make the most of the latest reproductive science and expertise.

A significant number of the mares bred in the UK each year are Thoroughbred mares breeding foals destined for the racing industry. The significant remainder are bred by the Sport Horse industry for competition in various disciplines. There are also a large number of mares bred by breeders for less well understood reasons. Equine welfare charities collectively advocate that that there are many more horses in the UK than there are good homes and this is causing a major welfare problem. Advances in knowledge and techniques are helping to make breeding and safer and easier potentially enabling the focus to be on breeding for quality and purpose rather than quantity, whether Thoroughbred, sport horse or native pony.

Proper breeding management is vital to ensure the success of a breeding operation. Managing the reproductive problems of mares and stallions properly can and will enhance their fertility. There have been significant advances in equine reproduction on both clinical and practical levels particularly since ultrasonography was introduced as a technique in broodmare reproduction in the early eighties. This has opened up our understanding of many aspects of broodmare management to maximise pregnancy and foaling rates.

Jon Pycock, President of the British Equine Veterinary Association has spent most of his professional career working in the field of equine reproduction and broodmare management in particular. He obtained a PhD from the University of London following extensive studies into the endometritis in mares and obtained his Diploma in Equine Stud Medicine in 1994. Jon has put together five tips for breeders to help with safe, effective and healthy breeding:

1. Work with a veterinary surgeon experienced in the field of equine reproduction who is prepared to discuss all aspects of the process with you.
2. Be a well-educated client. As a veterinary surgeon I have always viewed the best clients as those who are well-educated. This does NOT mean classifying yourself as an expert because you have read a random article that you found online. Rather you will have thought very carefully about what the breeding process entails, read some information written by knowledgeable colleagues with the experience to write well-informed articles, discussed the process with your vet and maybe even attended a lecture or two on the subject.
3. Have a good reason to want to breed from your mare and be prepared to commit both time and money to the process.
4. Make sure your mare is healthy and free from any disease before breeding.
5. Be an optimist and prepared for occasional disappointments along the way!

The reproduction research collection is available free online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306/homepage/progress_in_broodmare_practice.htm