Presented at the Horse SA Horse Breeding Expo by Dr. Jose Len from the University of Adelaide Equine Health & Performance Centre. Horse SA conducted three South Australian horse industry promotional events on the 2, 3, 4 June 2016. The events were made possible by members, sponsors and supporters ably assisted by many volunteers. 2 June: Horse health & industry information session at which ‘My Horse Disaster Plan’, http://www.myhorsedisasterplan.org.au/ to which the presentation by Dr. Robin van den Boom on the health of horses affected by the Pinery Fires is uploaded. http://tinyurl.com/hqejfmz Presentations also by Trevor Taylor, Regional Development Australia on a proposed equine multi-use centre and Chris Madigan of NRM Adelaide & Mt. Lofty Ranges. 3 June: Let’s Ride! (or drive, own or more with a horse!) http://www.horsesa.asn.au/lets-ride-or-drive-own-or-just-enjoy-horses/ 4 June: Horse Breeding Expo http://www.horsesa.asn.au/horse-breeding/ Please take the time to visit more Horse SA member sites when choosing your next product, service or event to attend. Club directory http://www.horsesa.asn.au/clubs/directory/ Business directory http://www.horsesa.asn.au/business/directory/ Horse SA http://www.horsesa.asn.au

1. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 1 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

2. Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Breeding the problem mare
Dr Jose Len
Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists
Hahndorf, South Australia
June 4, 2016

3. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 3 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
What is a problem mare?
• Abnormal cycles
• Fail to become pregnant after breeding with a fertile stallion
in three consecutive estrous cycles
• Become pregnant but do not carry to term

4. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 4 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

5. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 5 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Where to start?
• History
– Breed?
• Thoroughbreds = limited alternatives
– Years barren?
– Age?
• Fertility start declining at ≥ 12 years
– Previous years breeding management

6. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 6 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Breeding soundness exam

7. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 7 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Breeding soundness examination

8. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 8 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Abnormal cycles
Recommendation:
Wait until she ovulates for the first time in the season
Breeding season
September 1
Non physiological

9. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 9 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Abnormal cycles
- Frustrating
- More common at the start and end of breeding season
- Not much we can do about them

10. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 10 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Fail to become pregnant

11. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 11 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Fail to become pregnant
- Every mare develop an inflammation
- Most mares clear the inflammation
- Will cause embryo death
- Does not mean she has an infection

12. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 12 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Fail to become pregnant
- Infertility
- Vaginal discharge (+/-)
- Culture and cytology

13. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 13 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Become pregnant but do not carry to
term
• Early embryonic death (EED)
– Mares > 15 years
– Oocyte abnormalities
– Oviductal abnormalities
– Cysts

14. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 14 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Become pregnant but do not carry to
term
• Early embryonic death (EED)
– Mares > 15 years
– Oocyte abnormalities
– Oviductal abnormalities
– Cysts
– Uterine degeneration
Equine Reproduction, 2011

15. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 15 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

16. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 16 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Conformation problems
• Caslick’s suture

17. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 17 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Conformation
• Perineal body reconstruction
McKinnon et al., 2011

18. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 18 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Urine in vagina/uterus
• Urethral extension
McKinnon et al., 2011

19. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 19 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Uterine fluid post-breeding
• Good breeding management
• Help the mare clear the uterus
• Antibiotics commonly not needed

20. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 20 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Uterine infection
• Treat according culture & sensitivity
– Not recommended to infuse uterus with antibiotics
without diagnosis of infection
• Help the mare clear the uterus

21. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 21 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Early embryonic death
• Oocyte abnormalities
– Difficult to diagnose
– Mares ≥ 15 years
– Nothing much we can do
• Oviductal plugs
– Difficult to diagnose
– Plugs removal
• Uterine cysts
– Number
– Size
– Location
Stanton et al., 2004

22. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 22 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Early embryonic death
• Uterine degeneration
– Not much to correct this problem
– Assisted reproduction
• Embryo transfer
• Oocyte transfer
• ICSI

23. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 23 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Breeding management
• Palpation and ultrasound

24. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 24 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Breeding
• Close to ovulation
• One breeding/AI
• Induce ovulation
• Frozen semen not recommended for problem mares
• Good semen quality
– 500 x 106 PMS
– Volume: not too important

25. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 25 Life Impact The University of Adelaide
Minimum contamination technique

26. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 26 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

27. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 27 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

28. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 28 Life Impact The University of Adelaide

29. Insert Name of Presentation
Slide 29 Life Impact The University of Adelaide