THE loss of one valuable pregnancy can be devastating to a farm. Proven mares are usually in their teens and thus are at a higher risk of pregnancy loss. A mare that has slipped before is at higher risk of slipping again than those who have never slipped before. The financial burden ensued by the owner is large but presently accepted from year to year for ‘the odd one that slips.’ Regumate is often the recommended solution…but what caused the problem in the first place? This article attempts to introduce you to some of the pit falls and solutions discovered by research and the endeavours of equine reproduction enthusiasts to help you get that healthy foal on the ground.

A mare’s gestation is approximately 11 months duration. 60% of pregnancies that are lost occur within 45 days of ovulation. Genetic, environment and hormonal factors play a role in pregnancy survival. The corpus luteum (CL) functions to produce progesterone for pregnancy maintenance. A healthy endometrial lining and adequate blood flow are required to provide nutrition and a healthy reproductive tract with adequate barriers preventing ascending infection is needed. If one or more of these factors function at a sub-optimal level then the pregnancy may not survive.