by Dr. Tom Riddle of Rood & Riddle

This is the time of year when a lot of mares are being bred and some mares have already been identified as “problems”. Before you start looking for the difficult explanations for infertility, my advice is to first make sure that all conditions are as “normal” as possible.

First, you want to make sure that the mare is as healthy as she can be. Your veterinarian should evaluate the mare’s physical condition and determine if there are any problems that could divert “energy” away from the reproductive tract. Abnormalities such as lamenesses, painful eyes, dental disease, weight issues and endocrine disorders should be identified and, if possible, corrected. One of my mentors always preached “Reproduction is a luxury. If the mare is diverting energy to a problem in another body system, she is very unlikely to get in foal.”

Read more: Breeding: Make Sure You Cover the Basics!

by Dr. Eleanor Kellon

Vitamin C [ascorbate/ascorbic acid] is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as an important antioxidant and is needed for the synthesis of L-carnitine, catecholamines like epinephrine and dopamine, as well as collagen, the major protein in all connective tissues, including tendons and ligaments, even blood vessels. Deficiency causes a disease called scurvy, beginning as weakness and muscle pain, progressing to bleeding gums, loose teeth, poor healing and eventually mental changes and death.

Unlike humans, the horse can synthesize enough vitamin C in its body to prevent the development of a full-blown deficiency state (scurvy). However, the ability of this synthesis to maintain normal vitamin C levels and the role of dietary C is poorly understood. We do know that heavy exercise and chronic disease, especially lung disease, lead to decreased vitamin C blood levels in unsupplemented horses, as does stabling versus pasture access. Low blood levels have also been linked to poor wound healing in horses.

Read more: Vitamin C – Friend or Foe?