Breeding from a mare who has had laminitis

[Rollin]

Are there any vets on the forum who can give a 'scientific' opinion. A mare I really want to breed from (unsuccessful so far) had laminitis last June still undergoing rehab treatment.

I have asked on another forum and not surprisingly conflicting advice. What are the difficulites/risks? She is 9 years old. I have owned her since she was three.

We suspect her laminitis was caused by eating something toxic?? When she became lame she was in good shape/ daily work limited turnout (too hot during the day) and after two months without rain no lush grass.

 

[soulfull]

June was a long time ago is she not sound for work yet?

If they have had in only once and you suspect it was not the normal grass that caused it, that is not too bad

Why do you want to breed from her?

Even if a mare is in perfect health I would only breed from her if she really was something special in conformation and temperament, and breeding as there are way too many just nice horses out there anyway IMHO

 

[Rollin]

I breed rare breeds, which is why I want to breed from her. She was not given correct medical treatment when she presented lame, which is why her recovery has been slow.

I don't have access to vets/farriers with a lot of experience of this condition and ideas are a bit 'behind the times'.

 

[ImogenBurrows]

I would wait until Lami is really sorted before breeding as this is likely to contribute to poor fertility anyway, but I know several pony breeders who swear that they only keep the laminitics under control by repeat breeding!

I certainly wouldn't advocate this but once the laminitis is sorted you should be ok. One word of caution though, I'd be very hot catching any post foaling issues such as retained placenta etc which can lead to an endotoxaemia and subsequent laminitis.

Good luck
Imogen