Arthritic Changes - Can i still breed from her....

GlamourDol

GlamourDol

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So dol has been lame for a few days, vet out today, thinks arthritic changes in front leg, on bute and if no better in a week, shes going in to have nerve blocks etc!
As some may know, we were thinking of breeding from her this year, is the fact she has arthritic changes going to put a stop to that? would being in foal put too much strain on her joints?
Any experience or oppinions please.
K x
 
Would be of concern to me, your vet will be able to advise properly though.
She's 21 isnt she? I'm not sure I'd want to breed from something as precious as her, so many risks involved- could you consider embryo transfer?
 
Have discussed her age with a few big breeders and they see no problem, she would more than likely go to stud to foal.
Have thought about embrio transfer but that involves buying/paying for another mare, and that defeats the reason we want her to have one. Anyways thats not really the point, was wandering about how the arthritis may effect her.

K x
 
i bred a foal 2007 from a mare with quite severe arthritus in her hocks, she managed the pregnancy very well no lameness, unfortunately she had to be put to sleep due to birth complications, but of course that is the risk one take every time you breed from a mare, the foal survived, but if was extremely hard work rearing a foal from the word go. Good luck hope whatever you choose to do all goes well
 
The arthritic changes are purely down to her age I'd guess, and most likely will not be an issue for the foal.....however they may be an issue for Dol, depending on how uncomfortable they make her feel with all the added weight of carrying a foal.

Has she foaled before? If not, then perhaps this is not what you are asking for, but I'll agree with Boss here; no way would I risk breeding such a special mare at her age if she is a maiden. I would have to assess how debilitating life may become for her with the arthritis before considering whether I would put her in foal.

Overall, I'd say it isn't ideal at all and the idea of embryo transfer would be my thoughts too. You will still have Dols foal at the end, but she won't have to go through any of the experience.
 
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i bred a foal 2007 from a mare with quite severe arthritus in her hocks, she managed the pregnancy very well no lameness, unfortunately she had to be put to sleep due to birth complications, but of course that is the risk one take every time you breed from a mare, the foal survived, but if was extremely hard work rearing a foal from the word go. Good luck hope whatever you choose to do all goes well

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Did your mare appear to be in pain with it? Also did it appear to make the Arthritis worse carrying a foal.

K x
 
Well I know how much this mare means to you.

A 21 year old maiden would not bother me at all. My suggestion to you would be to speak to a vet and even go as far as getting her examined externally and internally to see how she is looking and to see if there would be any problems with carrying the foal or foaling.

Embryo transfer is the other option although costly, but would save Dol having to carry the foal. I know that several places have recipient mare herds, like Twemlows.

The other thing you will need to take into consideration is that when a mare is in foal the drugs they can have are VERY limited, so if she is in pain you would not be able to give her heaps of painkillers, due to a higher risk of abortion.

Cx
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well I know how much this mare means to you.

A 21 year old maiden would not bother me at all. My suggestion to you would be to speak to a vet and even go as far as getting her examined externally and internally to see how she is looking and to see if there would be any problems with carrying the foal or foaling.

Embryo transfer is the other option although costly, but would save Dol having to carry the foal. I know that several places have recipient mare herds, like Twemlows.

The other thing you will need to take into consideration is that when a mare is in foal the drugs they can have are VERY limited, so if she is in pain you would not be able to give her heaps of painkillers, due to a higher risk of abortion.

Cx

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanx C.
SHe will be examined thoroughly before, check there are no cysts etc etc. Having sponken to the Pincus' about it, they too dont see a problem with it, and all available veterinary attention, she will get!
To Embryo Transfer her, kind of defeats her having a foal, as we want her in the field with a baby! However it is something to keep in mind, bit added cost of keeping another mare must be taken into account.

Yes the painkillers aspect concerned me, but hopefully with careful management she would be okay. Or she can just live under the solarium!
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You dont still have any of G's still frozen do you?
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K x
 
Yup really like DOn Laurie.
The advantage of using a stallion that is here tho, is that she can go to stud, and be AI'd fresh, rather than having to get it shipped in from Germany and have the hassle of getting her done, although if we go that route i think i will send her to someone like the Pincus' and let them deal with it (
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), as i would trust them totaly with everything and my mare.
x
 
If David and Serena think it'll be OK, you can't get better advice than that! They will do a fantastic job with her I'm sure.

Don Laurie sounds fab. Two of my favorite bloodlines DOn Schufro and Lauries Crusador. Yummmyyy!!!

Good luck; hope you get a lovely baby Dol.
 
If she is only slightly lame I wouldn't worry about breeding from her. With regards to pain-killers, many are no less safe in pregnant mares, it's just that drug companies haven't conducted trials so advise against their use.

I bred from my much-loved 21 year old mare this year, and it was very nerve wracking and I would've kicked myself had anything gone wrong, but it didn't and I'm so glad I went ahead.
 
The semen is excellent quality, time is not really a factor when it is frozen, plus it was frozen a few years ago before we lost him....
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Normally we get our own mares in foal on one dose. Would need to speak to the OH to see if he is willing to sell any, as it is primarily for our own mares so that we can keep his bloodline going.....will send you a PM....
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Cxx
 
I would say it would be fine, the changes sound to be age related, and as she has been rideable right until recently that isn't too severe.
Carrying the extra weight doesn't seem to bother our mares one of whom has had arthritis since young due to a kick to the stifle then two ops to correct it, there are some supplement s for it you can give in foal mares too.
At her age her fertility may be much reduced so you need to scan her and cover accordingly, you won't have lots of chances so it has to be exactly the right time.
Don't pick an enormous stallion either if it's her first foal, just the same size or an inch or two bigger would be ideal.
Good luck, she'll make a smashing Mum.
 
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