Breeding the ‘difficult mare’
Authors: Barker Kayleigh
Journal: UK-Vet Equine
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Breeding the 'Difficult Mare' Despite horses' relatively high fertility compared with other species, subfertile or 'difficult' mares remain a common clinical challenge that frustrates both veterinary surgeons and horse owners alike. Barker's 2020 review examines the diverse aetiologies underlying reduced fertility in mares, systematising the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches necessary to investigate these cases methodically. By implementing structured clinical assessment alongside appropriate diagnostics—such as ultrasound, endometrial cytology, and infectious disease screening—practitioners can substantially improve pregnancy rates in affected mares. The article emphasises that even when conception proves unsuccessful, a systematic evidence-based approach allows practitioners to confidently demonstrate that all reasonable diagnostic and therapeutic steps have been exhausted. For equine professionals managing reproduction, this framework offers practical guidance for distinguishing between transient management issues and genuine pathology, ultimately improving outcomes and client communication in what remains one of veterinary practice's most frustrating scenarios.
Read the full abstract on the publisher's site
Practical Takeaways
- •Use systematic diagnostics rather than trial-and-error approaches when dealing with problem breeders—it increases your success rate
- •Document your diagnostic pathway thoroughly; this protects you and the owner even if pregnancy doesn't result
- •Subfertility has multiple causes; don't assume one protocol fits all mares
Key Findings
- •A systematic diagnostic approach improves pregnancy outcomes in mares with reduced fertility
- •Multiple diverse causes of subfertility exist requiring individualised evaluation and treatment
- •Appropriate diagnostics enable veterinarians to document reasonable efforts toward achieving pregnancy even when unsuccessful